| Information assurance is the process of protecting | | | | system. |
| information from misuse by people inside or outside a | | | | Data can be compromised by human error, system |
| business, corporation or other organization. This misuse | | | | crashes, software bugs or viruses, and even natural |
| may come from a hacker or corporate spy, but it can | | | | disasters such floods or fires; information is valuable |
| also be the work of a current or former employee | | | | and must be recovered whenever possible. This can |
| who might want to sabotage a database. It is the | | | | be accomplished through backup systems or other |
| responsibility of the information assurance professional | | | | specifically-designed software products. The |
| to construct a system designed to stop this from | | | | information assurance specialist is involved with all |
| taking place. | | | | these technical aspects, but they are also involved in |
| Because there is no system that is perfectly secure, it | | | | the organizational operation of creating a security |
| is also the responsibility of the information assurance | | | | policy for the organization and ensuring that people |
| professional to help formulate a system of checks and | | | | within the organization adhere to it. They are obliged to |
| quality control that allows an organization to track | | | | be familiar with national and state laws that regulate |
| down the perpetrators. Technology is forever | | | | privacy concerns and electronic trade. |
| changing, and with any online transaction there is | | | | The current demand for specialists with information |
| always the risk of a security violation. So, the job of | | | | assurance skills means graduates with a bachelor's |
| information assurance is forever vigilant. | | | | degree in computer science and experience can find |
| The information professional must be knowledgeable in | | | | employment. Broad knowledge of computer hardware |
| several aspects of computer technology. Especially in | | | | and software is important, however, information |
| network design. Some networks are local, to be used | | | | assurance jobs typically demand knowledge above |
| only within the organization itself. Other networks are | | | | and beyond a general computer background. |
| very broad-ranging, used by customers across the | | | | Some programs offer certificates in the specialty, |
| country or around the world. With this in mind, the | | | | which is helpful. However, more schools are offering |
| network has to be designed to accomplish the aims of | | | | programs at the master's degree level. Programs that |
| the organization while protecting core information. | | | | offer a master's degree usually call for students who |
| Information assurance professionals must also be | | | | have fulfilled an undergraduate degree in computer |
| knowledgeable in intrusion detection and control | | | | science or something comparable. Norwich University, |
| Intrusion detection is not a security system in itself. | | | | which is a Military Academy are currently offering an |
| Instead, it inspects all inbound and outbound network | | | | online degree to achieve a Master of Science in |
| activity to trace suspicious patterns that could indicate | | | | Information Assurance. |
| someone is attempting to compromise a computer | | | | |