From a young age, I have been captivated by the intricacies of technology. Technology’s evolution and its endless potential to shape the future provide me with the feeling that I can contribute to something larger than myself. By eighth grade, I fell in love with software and sought after experience in the field. Starting with basic computer
programming summer camps entering freshman year, taking Computer Programming 1 and 2, and later AP Computer Science A my coding journey was formed. However, after taking all of these courses which encompassed mainly just the programming aspect of technology I gradually learned that it was not what I truly desired for my career pathway. I could not just debug and mindlessly code all day, I needed more.
Thankfully, following the end of the school year my sophomore year, my computer science teacher sent out a Canvas announcement that included information on a Purdue cybersecurity camp called the Gencyber Bootcamp. I applied for it and was admitted to the two-week boot camp for that coming summer. The only thing I expected to take away from it was a free Raspberry Pi (a small motherboard that can function as a full PC), a drawstring bag, and a T-shirt. But both the Raspberry Pi and the discovery that cybersecurity was a subject that engulfed and piqued my interest were the most appreciated takeaways.
As I delved deeper into cybersecurity, I realized that the rapid advancement of technology also brings about new and evolving security threats. Technology is our future, but we cannot allow security discrepancies to put billions of people’s lives, information, and well-being at risk. According to Mike Mclean an Embroker publicist, “Cybercrime will cost companies worldwide an estimated $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015. At a growth rate of 15 percent year over year — Cybersecurity Ventures also reports that cybercrime represents the greatest transfer of economic wealth in history.” The exponential growth of both the internet capabilities and vulnerabilities leads to opportunities for cyber improvement and corruption. The billions of victims, trillions of dollars lost, and countless disruptions cannot persist. This realization fueled my desire to become part of the solution to defend against cyber threats and safeguard the digital world as a cybersecurity major.
Furthermore, cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field. The dynamic nature of cyber threats necessitates constant learning and adaptation. This aspect of perpetual growth and the need to stay updated with the latest developments in the field exhilarates me. I see it as a field where I can continuously challenge myself, develop skills, and gain knowledge. In comparison to other fields that leave less room for the future, cybersecurity is the future. New certifications, threats, and technologies do not allow for one to know it all. These components and complications in the field are likely the reasons why it is one of the most needed positions at companies across the globe. I also can not say that the average starting salary of 100-150,000 dollars a year is appealing because it is.
Are you safe digitally?
The realistic answer is no, and nor am I. Even with my above-average knowledge of the topic, I am still lazy and have the same password across multiple platforms, I don’t always check for the lock at the top of each page I visit, nor do I even know the quarter of possible attacks I am prone to with my current online habits. But do not be like Alex, be better! These things matter. As does ensuring your information is secure to avoid identity theft, malware, or even worse bum bum bummmm. So possibly use a master password app such as LastPass and have two-factor authentication for your accounts, utilize a VPN while surfing the web, and make sure you never share sensitive information with a person, page, or figure that does not have credibility. Do not fall victim to the negative aspects of the cyber world, and be aware of your digital footprint both passive and active (the indirect trail you leave from account to account versus your active posts, comments, and activities, etc…).
In totality, my choice to major in cybersecurity reflects my intrinsic passion for technology, my desire to help protect technological advances, and my appreciation of the dynamic field of cybersecurity. I believe it is a field that all can benefit from whether it be a minor, a certificate, or just some personal research in it to safeguard yourselves, your peers, and the future. As our world becomes increasingly reliant on technology, cybersecurity has emerged as a vital field, and I am determined to make a meaningful contribution to its advancement and the security of our digital future.