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The Growing Responsibility of IT Specialists in Cybersecurity
Today, IT specialists play a critical role in cybersecurity. Protecting company systems and highly sensitive data is a top priority for businesses, particularly global enterprises. Employers seek candidates with proven experience and practical skills in this area, as cyber threats continue to evolve.
What Types of IT Engineers Handle Cybersecurity?
The number of cybersecurity professionals within a company depends largely on its size. Large corporations, especially those in sectors where data security is paramount – such as finance – maintain extensive cybersecurity teams.
Cybersecurity specialists typically focus on:
- Workstation Security – ensuring endpoints are protected against cyber threats.
- Network Security – safeguarding the organization’s network from breaches and attacks.
- Incident Response – detecting and mitigating security threats in real-time.
Security analysts, particularly those working in Security Operations Centers (SOCs), monitor logs and system events to assess the impact and consequences of security incidents. To support their work, various cybersecurity tools are employed, including network firewalls, malware protection for servers and workstations, and advanced traffic decryption at the application layer. These systems detect potentially harmful events and alert administrators and analysts to take action.
Understanding SIEM and SOAR Systems
To enhance cybersecurity operations, IT engineers must be equipped with the right tools. Two critical security automation systems are SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) and SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response):
- SIEM Systems collect and correlate logs from different security devices and systems, providing real-time insights into potential threats.
- SOAR Systems automate security tasks, analyze security events, and enrich data using predefined playbooks that mimic the decision-making process of security analysts. SOAR platforms can also automatically respond to detected threats, updating security policies and configurations across the organization.
By integrating these solutions, companies can enhance their ability to detect, respond to, and mitigate cybersecurity threats more efficiently.
Why Companies Demand Cybersecurity Excellence
Falling victim to a cyberattack can result in massive financial and reputational losses. Criminal groups actively monitor potential targets, track employee behavior, attempt identity impersonation, and deploy malware using increasingly sophisticated techniques.
Having cybersecurity systems in place is not enough; effective administration and threat intelligence are essential. Monitoring cybercriminal activity and responding to vulnerabilities in real time can prevent unauthorized access. For example, detecting an employee credential leak and enforcing an immediate password change can thwart an attacker from infiltrating the company’s internal network.
Cybersecurity is even more crucial in the context of global conflicts, where cyber warfare targets strategic businesses and state institutions. Organizations must employ highly skilled professionals who are continuously improving their expertise and staying ahead of emerging threats.
How the Cybersecurity Landscape is Evolving
Cybersecurity professionals face an ever-changing threat landscape. Attack techniques are becoming more advanced, requiring equally sophisticated defense mechanisms:
- Workstation Security – previously, simple antivirus software was sufficient. Today, behavioral analysis tools are needed to detect malware based on its activity rather than predefined signatures.
- Network Security – traditional firewalls are no longer enough. SSL inspection systems are now essential for monitoring encrypted traffic between employees and company systems.
- Integrated Security Systems – modern cybersecurity infrastructure requires seamless integration of all security tools. Each system should communicate with others, sharing threat intelligence and automating response actions.
The core challenge remains unchanged: cybersecurity specialists must stay ahead of cybercriminals while ensuring that security measures do not hinder business operations. The goal is to provide maximum protection without disrupting productivity, allowing companies to achieve their business objectives securely.
Conclusion
As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the role of IT security professionals is more vital than ever. Businesses must invest in skilled specialists, advanced security systems, and automation tools like SIEM and SOAR to safeguard their operations. Cybersecurity is not just about implementing defenses – it’s about staying proactive, continuously evolving, and ensuring a secure digital future for organizations worldwide.
Michał Bednarczyk is an experienced IT specialist with a strong background in implementing ITSM systems for public and financial institutions. For several years, he has focused on IT security solutions, particularly in automating security tasks. Currently, he is involved in developing a SOAR-class system for BNP Paribas CIB.