Oil, Gas Looks to Hire More Cybersecurity Professionals to Address Risks

Protecting against cybersecurity is not just about technologies, but skill sets. The breach of Target, a U.S.-based retailer, customer data raises questions, such as how information on anomalous behavior was targeted and what kind of risk level was put on it. Having workers with the right skill sets in place to monitor data can help companies better determine what anomalous behavior presents issues.

The threat that many oil and gas companies face is that hackers have figured out legacy technology. Companies that are hiring workers with a 20-year history with Cisco firewall need to make sure that workers are familiar with more recent technology, and not just stuck on static technology.

Watts, who sees huge demand for workers who have come up through the ranks and understand the blocking and tackling of security, anticipates more spear phishing and polymorphic attacks, a new type of malware that executes a different way each time. This type of malware can’t be detected without advanced tools.

Officials Sees Need for Industry to Collaborate with Universities

Waits sees the issue as what the industry is looking to hire and what industry is looking to invest. He sees the need for industry not only to invest and collaborate with universities, but at the high school level to encourage more people to enter the cybersecurity industry. While a number of schools have STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] programs, these programs are generic and don’t have a cybersecurity focus.

Guinn believes that more university programs focused on cybersecurity will become available if they see a need. Emphasis is being put on a handful of accredited university cybersecurity programs, which should ensure that people graduating from these programs have the right skill sets.

Waits has started to get involved unofficially in the Tampa, Florida area to promote cyber intelligence education programs at the high school level.

“The students who want to route phones and Xboxes are the inkling of people who become hackers,” said Waits. “I want to make sure more of these kids become good guys.”

 

 

 

 


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