Whether you are a cyber security professional or an enthusiast eager to enter the cyber security world, you have encountered the name Infosec Institute. It just takes one google search on cyber security training to get the result of Infosec Institute.

This is because this prestigious company is a world leader in technology training regarding cyber security. The institute provides certification-based training courses for security professionals and others, enterprise-grade security awareness, and phishing training for businesses, agencies, and technology professionals.

From 1998 when this education company was founded, till now, its main motto is “Knowledge is power,” and its mission is fighting cyber crimes through knowledge. As the leading cybersecurity education company, they empower people to be cyber-safe at work and home and help IT and security professionals achieve their career goals.

4imag got the chance to get an exclusive interview with Joanna Beer, VP of Content at Infosec Institute and a member of the Leadership Team of Infosec Institute. Joanna shared with us her valuable insights about Infosec Institute and her own personal thoughts on where cyber defense is heading.

What is the top cyber threat a business owner faces today?

One of the top cyber threats a business owner faces is and will continue to be the human risk factor. Organizations can have the best technology in the world, but as long as humans are in the equation, there’s potential for error and honest mistakes. We all want to think we’d do the right thing in a given situation, but it really does only take one mindless click or one downloaded file to cause a security breach potentially.

Do smaller businesses face the same risks today as the larger companies we see being hacked in the headlines?

Yes, most definitely! We hear of more prominent companies being hacked because those are the ones that make the headlines, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t an issue for smaller organizations. Businesses of all sizes face the same cyber security risks.

How open are businesses to investing in cyber security changes and taking new measures to ensure cyber safety?

There have been enough showstopping hacks with devastating outcomes in the news that we see more organizations taking security seriously. We are seeing more and more businesses investing in cybercrime prevention. We are also seeing smaller organizations – who historically might not have had the budget for a security program – investing in cyber security awareness programs.

What are some strategies you follow and teach to companies to ensure cyber security awareness and help businesses increase their experience level in cyber security?

Infosec provides security awareness training to our customers, and we definitely practice what we preach! We recommend short but continuous awareness training paired with phishing simulations. Having short, monthly training modules (as opposed to long, annual training) helps keep security topics and risks in mind for team members. We find interactive training more memorable and engaging, so we recommend choosing a training provider that develops interactive training content.

Nowadays, do you think all companies should have a cybersecurity department or a specialist who can deal with such things?

The size of an organization will dictate whether or not there needs to be an entire cybersecurity department or just an individual. Still, because of the current threat landscape, I would definitely recommend having a dedicated cybersecurity resource on staff. This person or department can deal with any threats, educate the team on best practices, and implement a training program.

Is there a significant demand for cybersecurity professionals during the “Great Resignation”?

We saw high demand for cybersecurity professionals before the “Great Resignation,” and that trend continued throughout the “Great Resignation.” My advice for organizations who want to attract top talent is to:

1) have a clear and worthy mission

2) ensure your pay ranges and benefits are competitive

3) be empathetic and flexible with your staff.

What are the 12 most in-demand cybersecurity roles?

From the research we’ve conducted, we are seeing high demand for these roles:

• SOC Analyst
• Security Engineer
• Cloud Security Engineer
• Penetration Tester
• Digital Forensics Analyst
• Information Risk Analyst
• Security Architect
• Security Manager
• Privacy Manager
• ICS Security Practitioner
• Secure Coder

And because there are more roles than there are folks to fill in this industry, there’s always a need for new people to enter the field, so I’d also add Cybersecurity Beginner to the list.

How Infosec Skills Roles platform will be used? Is it for individuals and company groups? Will people go online and learn new skills?

Infosec Roles live on our platform and are accessible to anyone with a Skills license. They contain curated content that is most relevant to a role. Each role includes core learning, elective learning, and continuing education, so we have training that meets learners where they are on the learning journey. I’d recommend them for both individuals that are looking to skill up in a particular area and for managers who want some guidance on training programs for their staff.

Are Infosec Skills Roles also addressed to people who want to change careers and start one in cybersecurity?

Infosec Roles are designed for both career changers, and people brand new to cybersecurity. In fact, we have a Cybersecurity Beginner role that is designed specifically for someone with limited experience. We list prerequisites for each role, so career changers will be able to see if their experience is a good fit for that role.

What trends do you expect to see in information security in the near future? Would you like to share any cybersecurity forecasts or predictions of your own with our readers?

Cybersecurity is and will continue to be an essential and in-demand field in the future. Because of increased visibility, awareness, and education, I’d also like to think that we’ll be seeing more people enter the field of cybersecurity.