IT training Crucial to Deal with Rising Hacktivist and Government Sponsored Cyber-Attacks

(prHWY.com) December 30, 2010 - -, NM -- Over the last year, the worst fears of IT security professionals have come true. Hacktivism and state sponsored cyber-attacks are on the rise. All major countries of the world have witnessed hacking attacks on computer systems, networks and websites of key government and industrial facilities. Generally, the purpose behind attacks by cybercriminals is to steal money or authentication credentials.

On the other hand, hacktivists initiate attacks to convey their agitation or serve their political interests. The purpose behind state-sponsored cyber-attacks is to gather information related to military strategy, key installations and confidential government reports. As such, state-sponsored cyber-attacks are more dangerous and pose threat to national security.

The last few decades have witnessed massive computerization in both developed and developing countries. The Internet revolution facilitated creation and maintenance of online records and databases. Ironically, while Internet has added to the convenience of individuals, businesses and governments, it has also created a platform for information warfare. Hackers can explore and exploit the security loopholes on websites, computer networks and systems to gain access to privileged and classified databases.

Human errors such as use of common passwords for web applications and databases, providing Internet access to systems containing privileged documents, programming errors, non-adherence to security updates are some of the major causes for security lapses. Therefore, it is important for government agencies and organizations to devise a regular IT training program for its employees to update them on the latest security threats, precautionary measures and best practices.

IT security professionals employed at crucial industrial and military facilities must be encouraged to upgrade their technical skills by undertaking security certification training programs such as penetration testing training, network security training and security audit training programs.

Universities and schools may also collaborate with industry associations and IT security firms to devise IT security courses and distance learning programs to meet the future requirements of cyber security experts.

EC-Council provides industry training and certification for information security professionals in ethical hacking among many other specializations. "Understanding how hackers exploit these vulnerabilities is a key requirement to hardening software and hardware. That is why EC-Council focuses on ethical hacking as an approach to information security evaluation" as stated by EC-Council's Senior Director, Steven Graham. EC-Council through its Certified Ethical Hacker program has trained such information security professionals from all over the world.

ABOUT EC-COUNCIL
The International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) is a member-based organization that certifies individuals in cybersecurity and e-commerce skills. It is the owner and developer of 16 security certifications, including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (CHFI) and EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)/License Penetration Tester (LPT). Its certificate programs are offered in over 60 countries around the world. These certifications are recognized worldwide and have received endorsements from various government agencies including the U.S. federal government via the Montgomery GI Bill, Department of Defense via DoD 8570.01-M, National Security Agency (NSA) and the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS). EC-Council also operates EC-Council University and the global series of Hacker Halted security conferences. The global organization is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Press Contact
Steve Graham
6330 Riverside Plaza Ln NW
Suite 210
Albuquerque, NM 87120
Steve.graham@eccouncil.org
505.341.3228

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