Cyber threats loom heavy in today’s digital world. Threats impact individuals and businesses. Due to the vast number of always-connected mobile devices and laptops, the ease of data access results in boundless opportunities for unauthorized access to important data. Along with those opportunities come modern-day threats to businesses and individuals from not only a financial perspective but also operational and compliance perspectives.

Over the past decade, the cybersecurity field has become increasingly significant due to the increased reliance on computer systems, the Internet, and wireless networks such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. In addition, the onset of COVID in 2020 forced the maturity of information technology simply because organizations required technology to continue their business. Advancements in information technology also resulted in significant impact to cybersecurity protocols. The growth in “smart” devices and their use in our everyday lives have created constant digital threats. As such, issues surrounding cybersecurity has become one of the biggest “fraud” schemes of our age.

The focus on technology is evident in all aspects of our lives. It extends from the use of household convenience technology such as Siri to the most sophisticated aspects of the cloud. Each day, cybersecurity continues to evolve. Advancements in technology have raised the level of acknowledgment for technology threats by both individuals as well as companies. Professionals must stay abreast of the ever-expanding threats posed by our technological age. Whether the threats are internal or external, they are very real and will cause harm to your organization in numerous ways.

This course serves as an introduction to the area of cybersecurity. Within this course we define concepts and terms, we evaluate the types of breaches and examine the current state of cybersecurity.