Information security certifications, training and jobs

Endgame's Devon Kerr on what it takes to be a threat hunter

Threat hunting goes beyond mere monitoring and detection. Endgame's Devon Kerr explains tomorrow's threat hunters and the keys to successful cyberthreat hunting. Continue Reading

Walmart's Jerry Geisler on the CISO position, retail challenges

A global CISO in charge of one of the world's largest cybersecurity programs got his start on the retail floor. He's arrived just in time for the digital transformation. Continue Reading

New Walmart CISO discusses protecting the world's largest retailer

Walmart CISO Jerry Geisler talks about the retail giant's evolving cloud strategy, vulnerability management and risks the company is focused on across its environments. Continue Reading

McAfee CISO explains why diversity in cybersecurity matters

Improving diversity in cybersecurity teams can help improve their ability to address cybersecurity challenges through diversity of thought, suggests McAfee CISO Grant Bourzikas. Continue Reading

Walmart's Jerry Geisler on the CISO position, retail challenges

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Federal HR wants to modernize cybersecurity recruiting, pay

The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security wants to modernize recruitment and management of its cybersecurity workforce. It is asking vendors to explain how DHS can achieve its goals. Continue Reading

How security operations centers work to benefit enterprises

One key support system for enterprises is security operations centers. Expert Ernie Hayden reviews the basic SOC framework and the purposes they can serve. Continue Reading

Women in cybersecurity discuss hiring, advice and being mentors

A panel of women cybersecurity professionals at the RSA Conference discussed ways to find the best job candidates, the best advice they've received and how to be better mentors. Continue Reading

Healthcare CISO: 'Hygiene and patching take you a long way'

Cybersecurity and healthcare can get along, according to CISO Joey Johnson, who leads the security program at Premise Health, but it takes patience and attention to the details. Continue Reading

CISO survey paints a grim picture: Weak staff, breach fears

Roughly 60% of CISOs expect phishing scams, malware disruptions and cyberattacks that cause 'significant downtime' to affect their company in 2018. Continue Reading

CISO survey paints a grim picture: Weak staff, breach fears

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Healthcare CISO: 'Hygiene and patching take you a long way'

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Do CISOs need computer science degrees?

Equifax's CISO came under fire for having a music degree. David Shearer, CEO of (ISC)2, discusses what type of education infosec professionals should have. Continue Reading

CPE for CISSP: Top 10 ways to master continuing education

Who says you can't have fun while earning CPE credits to maintain your CISSP certification? Check out the top 10 creative ways to meet CISSP continuing education requirements. Continue Reading

CSO Stamos leaving Facebook, according to reports

News roundup: Is Alex Stamos leaving Facebook? The CSO hasn't confirmed, but reports say yes. Plus, an Orbitz breach exposed the payment card data of 880,000 people, and more. Continue Reading

Becoming a cybersecurity professional: What are the options?

A cybersecurity professional has several options for their career path. Expert Ernie Hayden reviews the cybersecurity career track options and what skills are required for each one. Continue Reading

Software security training: Perspectives on best practices

Software development training with an emphasis on secure coding can improve enterprise security postures. Steve Lipner of SafeCode discusses different ways to get the job done. Continue Reading

OURSA takes on RSA Conference to highlight diversity

News roundup: Our Security Advocates emerges amid criticism of RSA Conference's lack of female keynote speakers. Plus, a kill switch is discovered for the Memcrashed DDoS exploit, and more. Continue Reading

Domain 8: Security in software development lifecycle quiz

Understanding the ins and outs of the software development lifecycle is pivotal to passing Domain 8 of the CISSP exam. Are you ready? Find out with this practice quiz. Continue Reading

Use software forensics to uncover the identity of attackers

By analyzing the proverbial fingerprints of malicious software -- its program code -- infosec pros can gain meaningful insights into an attacker's intent and identity. Continue Reading

CISSP Domain 7: Security operations

Learn about important cybersecurity techniques and technologies that serve as the foundation of both day-to-day security operations and incident response. Continue Reading

Get ready for CISSP Domain 7: Cyberattack prevention quiz

Do you know what it takes to stop bad guys in their tracks? Find out with this practice quiz on cybersecurity methods and tools used to thwart or recover from an attack. Continue Reading

Dynamic application security testing, honeypots hunt malware

Stealth is an attacker's best friend, especially when it comes to sneaking malware past the firewall. Learn about some trusty tools that can stop malware in its tracks. Continue Reading

What are the root causes of the cybersecurity skills shortage?

SearchSecurity talks with David Shearer, CEO of (ISC)2, about what is -- and isn't -- contributing to the cybersecurity skills shortage in the U.S., as well as how to fix the problem. Continue Reading

Fight a targeted cyberattack with network segmentation, monitoring

It takes a variety of tactics, including network segmenting and monitoring, to safeguard the network. Learn the latest defenses to keep your network safe. Continue Reading

Fred Cohen on strategic security: 'Start with the assumptions'

Cohen is a globally recognized expert in information protection and cybersecurity. Since coining the term 'computer virus,' he has remained a pioneer in information assurance. Continue Reading

David Neuman: The CISO position and keeping the cloud safe

The Rackspace CISO joined the enlisted ranks in the Air Force, eventually becoming an officer with global responsibilities before moving to the private sector. Continue Reading

David Neuman: The CISO position and keeping the cloud safe

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Fred Cohen on strategic security: 'Start with the assumptions'

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Prevent attacks with these security testing techniques

Software bugs are more than a nuisance. Errors can expose vulnerabilities. Here’s the good news: These security testing tools and techniques can help you avoid them. Continue Reading

CISSP Domain 5: Cloud identity management and access control

From cloud identity and access management to physical access control, this study guide will help you review key concepts from Domain 5 of the CISSP exam. Continue Reading

CISSP Domain 5 quiz: Types of access control systems

Get ready for the CISSP exam with this 10-question practice quiz covering key concepts in Domain 5, including access control, identity, authentication and more. Continue Reading

John Germain lands the new CISO position at Duck Creek

Serving the technology needs of the property and casualty insurance industry means keeping a weathered eye on risk profiles, enterprise software and emerging threats. Continue Reading

What's with cybersecurity education? We ask Blaine Burnham

When he left the NSA, Burnham helped build the security education and research programs at the Georgia Institute of Technology and other universities. What did he learn? Continue Reading

What's with cybersecurity education? We ask Blaine Burnham

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John Germain lands the new CISO position at Duck Creek

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How to prevent password attacks and other exploits

Prevention is essential to protection against various types of password attacks, unauthorized access and related threats. Expert Adam Gordon outlines how to proactively bolster your defenses. Continue Reading

From the White House to IBM Watson technology with Phyllis Schneck

The managing director at Promontory Financial Group, now part of IBM, talks about supercomputers, cryptography applications and her start in computer science. Continue Reading

Transitioning to the role of CISO: Dr. Alissa Johnson

Serving as White House deputy CIO prepared Johnson for her CISO role: "When we let the culture in a company or agency drive security governance or innovation, that's a problem." Continue Reading

Transitioning to the role of CISO: Dr. Alissa Johnson

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From the White House to IBM Watson technology with Phyllis Schneck

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What's the best career path to get CISSP certified?

The CISSP certification can be a challenge to obtain. Mike Rothman unveils how to get on the right education and career tracks in order to get CISSP certified. Continue Reading

CISSP Domain 4: Communications and network security

Brush up on network security fundamentals like segmentation and secure routing in this CISSP exam study guide for Domain 4, Communication and Network Security. Continue Reading

The CISO job seems to be finally getting the credit it's due

The CISO job has risen from the trenches of the IT department to a seat at the C-suite decision-makers' table. But time in the spotlight comes with great risk and responsibilities. Continue Reading

What does a CISO do now? It's a changing, increasingly vital role

What does a CISO do in this day and age? The responsibilities of a chief information security officer, the senior executive responsible for an organization's information security program, are growing dramatically. Once relegated to the IT department -- if there was a designated corporate role at all -- the CISO is now often a member of the C-suite team, working alongside the CIO and others, formulating information security strategy and policy with an eye on both security and the business bottom line.

As the volume and sophistication of cyberattacks expand and corporate liability grows -- threatening profits and displeasing shareholders -- CISOs are now tasked with making tough decisions on how tools, systems and training are best used to manage risk. This quarterly supplement to Information Security magazine looks at the state of the CISO role -- how it's changed, where it's heading and what it takes to become an effective CISO in terms of cybersecurity skills, staff support and education.

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Challenging role of CISO presents many opportunities for change

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The CISO job seems to be finally getting the credit it's due

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Agnes Kirk on the role of CISO, Washington's state of mind

A state CISO champions innovation for Washington, from early development of a single sign-on system to leadership of the new Office of Cyber Security. Continue Reading

Agnes Kirk on the role of CISO, Washington's state of mind

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CISSP Domain 3 quiz: Security engineering

In preparing for Domain 3, Security Engineering, CISSP candidates should review a wide range of concepts, from security models to cryptography systems. Continue Reading

CISSP Domain 3: Security systems engineering

Planning to take the CISSP exam? Brush up on essential concepts and vocabulary in security systems engineering, covered in Domain 3, in this Security School. Continue Reading

From security product marketing to CEO: Jennifer Steffens

The CEO of a global pen tester used to work for the New York Yankees. Find out how Jennifer Steffens went from sports marketing to head of a security service provider. Continue Reading

Cryptography attacks: The ABCs of ciphertext exploits

Encryption is used to protect data from peeping eyes, making cryptographic systems an attractive target for attackers. Here are 18 types of cryptography attacks to watch out for. Continue Reading

CISSP Domain 2 quiz: Data security control, asset protection

Domain 2 of the CISSP exam, known as asset security, covers data security control, classification, ownership and more. Test your knowledge with this 10-question practice quiz. Continue Reading

CISSP Domain 2: Asset security

This Security School will help prepare you for Domain 2 of the CISSP exam, providing overviews of data encryption methods, data ownership concepts and asset protection. Continue Reading

Interfacing with an information technology entrepreneur

E. Kelly Fitzsimmons started with coconuts and then sold four companies. A serial entrepreneur discusses security and technology startups and why embracing failure works. Continue Reading

CISSP Domain 1: Cybersecurity and risk management

Partner with business leaders and apply information security management principles to best address enterprise governance, risk management and compliance needs. Continue Reading

Interfacing with an information technology entrepreneur

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CISSP Domain 1 quiz: Security and risk management

Test your knowledge of the CISSP exam’s Domain 1: Security and Risk Management -- one of the heaviest-weighted portions of the test -- with this practice quiz. Continue Reading

IT diversity and the cyberskills gap Q&A with Jules Okafor

Jules Okafor discusses the skills gap in the cybersecurity industry, how better IT diversity could help, and what is needed to bring in more women and minorities. Continue Reading

Cybersecurity skills gap fixes must support minorities

A new survey shows a majority of organizations are facing a cybersecurity skills gap and experts say more focus on women and minorities could be key to finding talent. Continue Reading

IT security governance fosters a culture of shared responsibility

Effective information security governance programs require a partnership between executive leadership and IT. All parties work toward a common goal of protecting the enterprise. Continue Reading

Wendy Nather: 'We're on a trajectory for profound change'

This former CISO talks about her uncharted path from international banking to industry analysis. What's next for infosec? We ask the security strategist those questions and more. Continue Reading

Report: Threat hunting is more SOC than intel

Threat hunting is driven by alerts with less emphasis on cyberthreat intelligence, according to researchers. Yet 60% of those surveyed cited measurable security improvements. Continue Reading

Experian's Tom King tackles role of CISO from the ground up

An early career as a geologist helped the veteran financial services CISO thrive in the security field. The CISO role is now broader than technical functions, he says. Continue Reading

Report: Threat hunting is more SOC than intel

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Experian's Tom King tackles role of CISO from the ground up

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Wendy Nather: 'We're on a trajectory for profound change'

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Cybersecurity careers soar with security leadership skills

Security leadership abilities are hard to quantify. Certifications and degrees may ease the way into a career in cybersecurity, but hard-won experience is usually the surer path into a role that can influence meaningful change in today's complex environments. Whether they report into the CIO or outside of the IT organization, CISOs handle growing levels of responsibilities as evolving threats and infrastructures mean higher risk and no room for staff shortages. In this Information Security issue on cybersecurity careers, we look at the path to CISO. What are the measures of success or failure in this positon? Is it worth it?

As more Fortune 5000 companies seek CISOs to handle cybersecurity concerns, larger organizations in financial services and defense industries have piqued everyone's interest with their continued investment in the human factor -- the je ne sais quoi that results in successful threat hunting. While many definitions of hunting can be found, threat hunters essentially search for the traces attackers leave behind in an IT environment, usually before any alerts of their activities are generated by security devices.

"I used to think that only the best security operations center people could be threat hunters, but that's not always true," said Anton Chuvakin, a Gartner research vice president. "The best SOC analyst may be good at responding to alerts, but they don't always have the creativity that's needed."

As automation and machine learning gain hold, technology is still no substitute for security leadership abilities and cybersecurity talent. In this issue of Information Security magazine, we look at cybersecurity careers and the best ways to build top-notch security organizations.

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Is threat hunting the next step for modern SOCs?

The emergence of threat hunting programs underscores the importance of the human factor in fighting the most dangerous and costly security threats. Continue Reading

Polycom CISO focused on ISO 27001 certification, data privacy

Tasked with security and compliance, Lucia Milica Turpin watches over internal systems and remote communications customers entrust to the video conferencing company. Continue Reading

Challenging role of CISO presents many opportunities for change

With some reports showing incredibly short tenures, new CISOs barely have time to make their mark. The salaries are good; the opportunities for the right skills, unlimited. Continue Reading

CISO job requires proven track record in business and security

In the security field, certifications and degrees are never a substitute for on-the-job experience. For women in security, the challenges may be even greater. Continue Reading

Improving the cybersecurity workforce with full spectrum development

Eric Patterson, executive director of the SANS Technology Institute, explains why it's time to rethink educational development to strengthen the cybersecurity workforce. Continue Reading

CISO job requires proven track record in business and security

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Polycom CISO focused on ISO 27001 certification, data privacy

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Is threat hunting the next step for modern SOCs?

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Challenging role of CISO presents many opportunities for change

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Chenxi Wang discusses DEF CON hacking conference, 'Equal Respect'

Grassroots efforts to shift cultural thinking in information security have had a positive effect, the former professor of computer engineering says. Continue Reading

In her new role of CISO, Annalea Ilg is curious, driven and paranoid

The vice president and CISO of ViaWest, Ilg is tasked with keeping the IT managed service provider and its cloud services secure. Continue Reading

Chenxi Wang discusses DEF CON hacking conference, 'Equal Respect'

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In her new role of CISO, Annalea Ilg is curious, driven and paranoid

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Q&A: IBM's Diana Kelley got an early start in IT, security came later

How did an editor become a security architect? A fascination with computers sparked a lifelong journey for IBM's executive security advisor. Continue Reading

MIAX Options CSO on security's role in business continuity

Faced with the demands of derivatives trading, CSO John Masserini understands the value of aligning controls with business risk. We ask him how he does it. Continue Reading

MIAX Options CSO on security's role in business continuity

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Q&A: IBM's Diana Kelley got an early start in IT, security came later

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Role of CISO: FICO enlists CISO in security product management

As head of FICO's information security program, Vickie Miller's role is wide-ranging. Continue Reading

Uncharted path to IT and compliance with Digital River's Dyann Bradbury

Bradbury chats with Marcus J. Ranum about her early interest in computers and her unexpected career path to head of global compliance for an e-commerce provider. Continue Reading

Role of CISO: FICO enlists CISO in security product management

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Uncharted path to IT and compliance with Digital River's Dyann Bradbury

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How infosec professionals can improve their careers through writing

Writing can be one of the best ways to establish your reputation as an infosec professional. Expert Joshua Wright of the SANS Institute explains the best ways to do it. Continue Reading

Should security funds be dedicated to hiring or tools?

Security funds can be tough to come by, so when managers get them should they focus on strengthening security through hiring or through purchasing tools? Continue Reading

How should we hire for specialized information security roles?

A rise in specialized roles puts extra pressure on security hiring. Expert Mike O. Villegas explains how to meet this demand and find talented security professionals. Continue Reading