DU Program Tackles Lack of Cybersecurity Experts Amid Rise in Computer Hacking Attacks

High profile hacking events against Sony Pictures Entertainment, the Democratic National Committee, major stores, banks and hospitals has increased the need for anti-hackers. According to an article from the Denver Post, a new DU program tackles the lack of cyber security experts amid a rise in computer hacking attacks. Of course, security experts at Cadamier Network Security in Denver are already available to help your company or organization keep your network safe.

According to the article, The new University of Denver (DU) fast-track program’s goal is to train more people to meet the demand for cyber security jobs in order to stop cyber attacks. The leading states for cyber hiring are Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and Colorado. For Colorado, the jobs are focused in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs. In fact, Colorado Springs will be the home of a new National Cybersecurity Intelligence Center.

Today’s cyber hacking has the ability to go beyond just stealing information and can result in physical injury. According to the Denver Post, a laptop was used by cybersecurity experts to gain control of a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. They were able to slam on the brakes, as well as increase speed. The laptop was connected to a USB port under the dashboard, but their research indicates hackers could carry out a similar attack remotely. After informing Jeep of their ability to hack the vehicle, the manufacturer sent owners a software patch to block remote access and updated software to stop this type of hack.

Beyond cars, there are millions of dollars at stake in a variety of key industries. The Federal Bureau of Investigation recently warned banks to look out for a group of hackers that took $81 million from the central bank of Bangladesh. Data breaches in stores have also exposed credit card numbers and other crucial information of millions of retail customers.

These increased threats from hackers in Russia, China, and North Korea have created the need for cyber security experts.

DU is only one of five schools in Colorado with cyber education programs and has earned a designation from the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security, as a Center of Academic Excellence. The other four Colorado schools with similar programs are the U.S. Air Force Academy, Regis University, Colorado Technical University, and the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

Students don’t need an undergraduate degree in computer science to participate in DU’s masters level cyber security program. You can have a degree in other majors unrelated to computers if you do well on a test known as the Graduate Record Examination, specifically a portion of the test focusing on math knowledge and reasoning skills. If you have a computer background, you can complete the program in nine months. If not, you will get three extra months of instruction and finish in 12 months.

The increasing need for security experts has encouraged the creation of this special DU program that tackles the lack of cyber security experts amid a rise in computer hacking attacks. But security experts at Cadamier Network Security in Denver are ready today to help keep your network safe from hackers. If you need help or have concerns about your own business, feel free to get in touch with our team.