The Urgency of Cybersecurity
KRISTEN UPPERCUE
The coronavirus pandemic has pushed the world to rely even more on the internet , forcing West Virginia ’ s business community — especially small businesses — to re-evaluate and grow their online presence and government agencies and educational institutions to brainstorm new ways to train and engage students . Amid opportunities for transformation and innovation , however , the pandemic also opened West Virginians up to online exploitation . With phishing , social media scams , viruses and a myriad of other cyberattacks , businesses , organizations , government entities and even individuals have a lot to consider before logging online .
Assessing the Risks
According to Joshua Spence , West Virginia ’ s chief technology officer , increased cyberattacks have resulted in the loss of sensitive personal information , fueling identity theft and fraud , and multiple sectors have experienced the theft of intellectual property , which will have long-term effects on the global economy and security .
Cyberattacks can have lasting impacts on the economy . Ransomware — a cyberattack designed to hold the use of technology hostage in exchange for money — cost the U . S . an estimated $ 7.5 billion in 2019 , according to a report by cybersecurity firm Emsisoft .
“ The rapid acceleration in the number of cyberthreat actors , coupled with the costly impacts of cyberattacks , has driven the significant growth of the cybersecurity industry ,” says Spence .
This increase in potential attacks requires an increase in skilled workers who know how to prevent and address them .
“ Cybersecurity is a very scary world right now , but it does provide a lot of different employment opportunities ,” says Jim Estep , president of the High Technology Foundation . “ What ’ s most important for us in West Virginia is that we continue to build the foundation of a business case for a cybersecurity industry in our state .”
Turning Threats into Opportunities
The cyber industry will continue growing alongside technology , and many organizations in West Virginia are working to expand available opportunities . Leaders from the West Virginia National Guard ( WVNG ), West Virginia Community and Technical College System ( WVCTCS ), West Virginia Cyber Security Working Group , High Technology Foundation and TechConnect West Virginia as well as legislators and educators across the state are simultaneously working on a variety of initiatives to improve and maintain the growing cyber industry , making the state more marketable .
“ I think we are on the right path because we are addressing the state ’ s needs in real time ,” says Nancy Ligus , director of workforce and economic development for the WVCTCS . “ This will help attract companies to West Virginia as well .”
Ligus , alongside Spence and Estep , serves as a member of the West Virginia Cyber Security Working Group , an organization focused on bringing potential stakeholders in the cybersecurity industry together to brainstorm ideas , make connections and support the growth of the cyber industry in the Mountain State . This statewide effort has provided training and work
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