Social media has changed so much about branding, social interactions, and reputation management. Big companies looking to expand their brand image use social media as much as everyday people do. This has largely connected the world more than ever, but it’s come along with many serious risks.
That’s because cybercriminals view social media as another chance to steal personal and financial information. Social media platforms have gotten better about preventing such incidents, but they still happen all the time. Luckily, the cybersecurity industry continues to grow alongside the rise of social media-related crimes and breaches.
In a perfect world, cybersecurity specialists wouldn’t be needed, but the rise in social media hacks and impersonations says otherwise. That said, this benefits students pursuing cybersecurity degrees, as social media platforms and their users rely on cybersecurity personnel.
Follow along as we explore how social media platforms are shaping the next wave of cybersecurity careers.
Social Media Isn’t as Safe as it Seems
Cybercriminals seemingly exploit anything they can, and that includes social media. Sure, massive social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram invest in cybersecurity, but they can’t protect all users. That’s especially true when you consider how many more people use any given social media platform compared to those who run it.
For example, a company may create an account, receive followers, and connect with sponsors and affiliates. Each new person and entity carries cybersecurity risks, as you don’t know what they’ve been exposed to. Sure, you and your organization may be safe, but that doesn’t mean that everyone you encounter on social media is.
Unfortunately, this leaves everyone on social media vulnerable to cybersecurity risks that aren’t worth taking. That doesn’t mean that one can’t safely navigate social media as an individual or a brand. However, it does mean that cybersecurity professionals are more needed than ever.
Unique Social Media Threats and How They Affect Cybersecurity Specialists
Sadly, no online interactions are entirely safe without taking essential cybersecurity measures. However, social media boasts many unique cybersecurity threats that require specific measures. That includes many common threats in different forms, including:
Malware Emergencies
Anyone who has spent much time on social media has probably seen their fair share of suspicious links. After all, hackers can easily create fake accounts and post dangerous links in the comments on any social media post. Similarly, hackers send messages embedded with malware, which is becoming one of the most common forms of phishing attacks.
Anyone who clicks on such links risks exposing their personal and financial information. It’s up to social media platforms to employ talented cybersecurity specialists to combat this. That includes implementing stricter verification processes and monitoring all posts and comments.
Impersonation
Most social media platforms have gotten better at flagging and removing impersonators. However, social media impersonation still happens often, as criminals pose as individuals and brands alike. While posing as trusted people and brands, cybercriminals target unsuspecting users’ financial information.
This is more common on some platforms, like X, where users can pay to “verify” their accounts and look legitimate. Not only do social media platforms require versatile cybersecurity staff, but so do brands that utilize social media. This opens the door to more cybersecurity career paths and helps keep social media users safe.
Account Theft
Data theft and financial theft have gone on as long as the Internet has been widely available. Account theft, or “hijacking,” is more common than ever, and it can affect anyone. Previously, this affected celebrities, but now, everyone is vulnerable to account theft.
This is ultimately why social media cybersecurity jobs are in demand right now more than ever. Social media platforms need cybersecurity specialists to create and manage systems to prevent this problem. Similarly, companies that use social media can benefit from hiring cybersecurity specialists and social media experts to run their accounts.
Account information breaches happen directly through social media, but they can also happen when company employees are targeted. For example, a cybercriminal could hack a company employee, get the account information, and hijack the account. Cybersecurity specialists can put safe sharing systems in place and prevent such theft from happening.
Social Media Security Breaches Have Long-Lasting Effects
Reputation management is everything, no matter how big a brand is. Today, cybersecurity breaches often lead to public relations crises, which can stick with a brand for years. After all, it’s hard to trust a brand or social media platform if security breaches are common.
This can turn potential customers away and cause a huge loss in followers and subscribers. Naturally, data breaches and hacks can also cause huge financial losses, which can take years to recover from. It’s important to remember that such hacks often affect employees as much as executives.
Sometimes, such attacks start with employees getting hacked, as that helps cybercriminals breach social media platforms and accounts. This can cause long-lasting anxiety, financial devastation, and trust issues, which are hard to move on from. All of this is avoidable if social media platforms and the brands that use them invest in cybersecurity teams.
Social Media Has Opened the Door to Many Cybersecurity Careers
There’s no denying that the growth of social media has yielded many positives. However, it’s hard to deny that it’s also made cybercriminals’ lives much easier, as they now have more tools and victims at their disposal. Because of that, social media platforms and users need cybersecurity specialists to protect them from hacks and data breaches.
It’s up to social media platforms to hire skilled cybersecurity specialists and give them proper budgets for what’s needed. Whether it be scouring profiles and comments all day or creating new verification systems, this can create many jobs. Similarly, companies that use social media must rely on cybersecurity professionals to protect their accounts and brand reputation.
This is great news for anyone pursuing a degree in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity careers come with a lot of job security, as individuals and companies alike keep diving deeper into the online world.
About the Author
Ryan Ayers is a researcher and consultant within multiple industries, including information technology, blockchain, and business development. Always up for a challenge, Ayers enjoys working with startups as well as Fortune 500 companies. When not at work, Ayers loves reading science fiction novels and watching the LA Clippers.
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