One of the most well known certifications associated with the information assurance (IA) career field is the Global Information Assurance Certification Security Essentials (GSEC). IA is an information technology (IT) job function that is concerned with protecting an organization’s information from theft, unauthorized access and unapproved modifications. The sophistication of hackers has increased in parallel with that of information systems, and information security has become a high priority for both private businesses and government agencies. Subsequently, the IT industry has responded by generating security standards, audit plans and guidelines that organizations can use to protect their information in a systematic fashion. Trained IT professionals are needed to customize IA plans and procedures to fit unique organizational needs. The GSEC credential verifies that these IA professionals have the necessary skills to create secure IT environments for their organizations. Here are some of the skill areas in which IT professionals must demonstrate competence to earn the GSEC credential.
Fundamentals of Network Engineering
One of the key knowledge areas of IA is understanding the environment in which information is processed. This involves a study of network architecture that includes network hardware, topography and operational procedures. The test specifically focuses on verifying candidates’ knowledge of the rules regarding the exchange of messages at the internet address level. Besides the described transmission control protocol for internet protocol (TCP/IP), IA professionals are expected to demonstrate working knowledge of various network protocols and network protocol stacks. Understanding these elements of network engineering help IA professionals to identify how cyber attacks can occur and the measures needed to mitigate threats to computing systems.
Risk Management
Effective IA requires active risk management which includes the handling of vulnerabilities and the implementation of defense in depth techniques. Conducting vulnerability management helps IA professionals to identify, analyze, reduce and eliminate vulnerable areas within computing systems. There are industry tools that perform automated vulnerability audits on information systems to detect cracks in IT systems’ security armor. IA professionals must also learn about the techniques like defense in depth procedures that are used to defend IT systems, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Besides using vulnerability scans, defense in depth procedures involve layering throughout an organization’s IT systems multiple security controls like biometrics, firewalls, encryption and data masking to protect data at rest.
Common Attack Methods
Business and government organizations experience cyber attacks that can be initiated by ambitious, independent hackers looking for a challenge or by rival government agencies searching for vital state secrets. Before an IA professional can earn their GSEC credential, they must demonstrate understanding of the common methods that hackers use to attack computer systems like the use of viruses and malicious code. Questions on the GSEC exam also highlight the lessons learned from one of the most famous United States cyber attacks in computing history called the Mitnick Shimomura attack. While it has been traditionally hard to convict most initiators of cyber attacks, Kevin Mitnick served prison time for his attacks before he was able to use his talents for good by starting his own IT security consultancy.
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Conclusion
IT experts know that ad hoc security heroics will not suffice when it comes to protecting critical information systems around the clock. It is for that reason that many organizations encourage their IT staff to pursue computer security training, and many choose to hire IA professionals who have the Global Information Assurance Certification Security Essentials.
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