In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity has become more critical than ever. As an IT student specializing in cybersecurity, you’re on the frontlines of protecting our digital world. But with cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve. Let’s dive into the top 5 emerging tech skills that will set you apart in the cybersecurity field.

1. Network Security: The Foundation of Digital Defense For IT Students

Imagine you’re a medieval castle architect. Your primary goal? To build impenetrable walls that keep intruders out. That’s essentially what network security is all about in the digital realm.

As cyber attacks become more advanced, mastering network security is non-negotiable. You’ll need to understand:

• Firewalls and intrusion detection systems
• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
• Network segmentation techniques

Pro Tip: Start by setting up a home lab using virtual machines to practice network security concepts. It’s like having your own digital playground!

2. Ethical Hacking: Think Like the Enemy

Picture yourself as a secret agent, infiltrating enemy lines to uncover vulnerabilities. That’s the essence of ethical hacking. By thinking like a malicious hacker, you’ll be better equipped to defend against them.

Key areas to focus on include:

• Penetration testing
• Vulnerability assessment
• Social engineering techniques

3. Incident Response: Be the Digital First Responder

In the world of cybersecurity, incidents are inevitable. Your ability to respond quickly and effectively can make all the difference. Incident response is like being a firefighter for digital emergencies.

Essential skills include:

• Creating and implementing incident response plans
• Digital forensics
• Crisis communication

Remember: Practice makes perfect. Participate in cyber incident simulations to hone your skills!

4. Data Protection: Guard the Crown Jewels

In our data-driven world, information is the new gold. As a cybersecurity professional, you’ll be the guardian of this precious resource. Data protection involves:

• Encryption techniques
• Data loss prevention strategies
• Compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA

Did you know? The average cost of a data breach in 2021 was $4.24 million. Your skills in data protection could save organizations millions!

5. Cloud Security: Secure the Skies

As businesses increasingly move to the cloud, the demand for cloud security experts is skyrocketing. It’s like being asked to secure a castle that’s floating in the sky – challenging, but incredibly important.

Focus on:

• Identity and Access Management (IAM)
• Secure cloud architecture design

Emerging Trends: AI and Ransomware Prevention

The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving. Two trends you should keep an eye on are:

1. AI in Cybersecurity: Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing threat detection and response. It’s like having a super-intelligent assistant that never sleeps, constantly monitoring for threats.
2. Ransomware Prevention: With ransomware attacks on the rise, prevention strategies are more crucial than ever. It’s a bit like being a hostage negotiator, but your job is to prevent the hostage situation in the first place.

The Road Ahead

As you embark on your cybersecurity journey, remember that the field is always changing. The skills you learn today are just the beginning. Cultivate a mindset of continuous learning and stay curious.

Your role in cybersecurity is not just a job – it’s a calling. You’re the digital guardian, protecting individuals, businesses, and even nations from cyber threats. It’s challenging, it’s exciting, and it’s incredibly rewarding.

So, are you ready to take on the challenge? The digital world needs you. Start mastering these skills today, and become the cybersecurity expert of tomorrow!

Start Your Cybersecurity Journey Now

Since 2007, Penobscot Community Health Care (PCHC) has been a valued externship and job placement partner of Â鶹AV (Â鶹AV).

PCHC has provided Â鶹AV Medical Assistants, Phlebotomists, and Medical Coding & Billing graduates short-term practical experiences in their field of study. This short-term externship – work immersion allows students to observe professionals on the job and gain a hands-on practice and understanding of the healthcare field.

Â鶹AV is committed to coordinating successful on and off-campus recruitment sessions for our many partners. Earlier this month, PCHC’s Jennifer White (HR/Project Manager) and Vanessa Sanderson (Recruitment Coordinator) visited Â鶹AV’s Bangor campus to present PCHC’s many externship and career opportunities to current medical students.

Bangor’s new Career Development Advisor Bill Schissler also visited with Penobscot Community Health Care at their administrative offices on March 17th. At the meeting, Jennifer and Vanessa spoke about PCHC’s mission, how PCHC is growing and how Â鶹AV grads can be a part of that growth. Jennifer stated that after students successfully complete their externship with PCHC, up to 80% are going to work full time at PCHC as Phlebotomists, Medical Assistants and Medical Coders and Billers. That number speaks volumes about Â鶹AV graduates, but students must keep in mind they are involved in a competitive process. Grades, attendance and a complete, thoughtful application all play a role. To learn more about securing an externship with PCHC, students and graduates can contact Bill Schissler directly at: bschissler@ntinow.edu.

PCHC is by far the largest and most comprehensive of the 19 Federally Qualified Health Centers in Maine and the 2nd  largest of the 100 in New England. Learn more about Penobscot Community Health Care at www.pchc.com.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I’m a 36 year old mother of 4 teenagers. Being a young mother i never really thought about going to college. My first priority was providing for my family and making sure we had everything we need to survive.

I have worked many jobs, some I liked others not so much. As my kids got older I started thinking about getting a career started. I wanted them to know that no matter what you can always accomplish your dreams, no matter how old you are. So in March of 2015 I started looking into different colleges, but not just any college. I needed something that was going to fit into my busy schedule.

You see, I work full time as a CNA and also have to be mom and a wife to my family. My husband first went to Â鶹AV to get information about a class he was interested in. While at his appointment I asked if they provided any medical classes. They did so I made an appointment as well and meet with some of the staff to see if this was something I could do. The day of my appointment I meet with admissions and had a whole list of questions ready to be answered. Â鶹AV provided me with everything I needed about going to school with no obligations of signing up with them.

I started to believe in myself once again and got my courage back. Â鶹AV was the best decision I  could have made.

They have flexible hours Monday – Friday from 8 am to 9pm and also Saturday 8am to Noon. I could pick any day and anytime to attend classes there, which worked well with my busy life. I did a lot of thinking and decided Â鶹AV was the best school for me. I applied and started classes July 7, 2015. My first day I was very nervous and was not sure if I could make it through to the end. But here I am almost a year later and I am working on my last class to graduate with my Medical Lab Assistant. It was hard work and I  got discouraged along the way and didn’t want to finish. But with a great support team at home encouraging me on and a great support team at school helping me get through the rough times.

I started to believe in myself once again and got my courage back. Â鶹AV was the best decision I  could have made.  Not only is the staff amazing, but they also are caring and understanding. I choose to continue my education and signed up today to get my Medical Assistant career diploma at Â鶹AV.

Thank you for taking the time to hear my story and I  hope you can make your dreams come true at Â鶹AV like I have.

Sincerely,

One happy student!

Scarborough, ME | April 5, 2016 | – – Â鶹AV, a career school with campuses in Scarborough, Bangor and Lewiston, once again lives up to its commitment to support those less fortunate in Maine. Effective April 15th and continuing through the year, Â鶹AV will contribute half of all application fees to . The students and staff at Â鶹AV take their civic responsibility seriously and hold regular events to highlight and support others.

Camp Sunshine is located on Sebago Lake in Casco. They inspire hope in families from all over Maine affected by life-threatening childhood illness through their unique, supportive programs and are the only full time facility in the nation whose sole purpose is to provide respite for the entire family. Their programs are all offered free of charge to the families. They  remain grateful to their donors and are committed to showing the utmost respect for every dollar contributed by ensuring the greatest possible impact on children and their families.

This ongoing contribution follows a recent generous contribution to Trinity Jubilee Center in Lewiston. Each year, Trinity helps thousands of hungry people by providing not only hot meals and healthy groceries, but assists their clients in addressing the reasons they are hungry and helping people find jobs, housing and to negotiate the challenges in their lives.

Â鶹AV’s staff, students and alumni are committed to helping those in need and supporting our local community.

Â鶹AV also sponsored and donated to the WCYY Mark-A-Thon to benefit the Telethon. Â鶹AV has participated in the Mark-A-Thon since 2012 in support of the Center for Grieving Children and this year Â鶹AV donated $1000.00. The Center, based in Portland, Maine, serves more than 4,000 grieving children, teens, families, and young adults annually through peer support, outreach, and education.

About Â鶹AV
Â鶹AV is Maine’s only locally owned and operated accredited career training school with campuses in Bangor, Scarborough and an extension campus in Lewiston. Â鶹AV is a VA approved school in Bangor and Scarborough and offers Federal Financial Aid, grants and scholarships for many of its programs and for those who qualify. With its short-term, hands-on approach to training, Â鶹AV graduates are job-ready, may earn national certification and are prepared to meet the industry’s staffing needs for qualified professionals. The school offers in-demand training for a range of medical programs, including Medical Assistant, Medical Lab Assistant, Medical Coding and Billing, Phlebotomy.  HVAC/R and CDL Truck Driving are offered at the school’s Scarborough and Bangor campuses. The Scarborough and Lewiston campuses also offer Information Technology (PC Repair, Network Administration). Classes start each week or month for most programs.

NOT BEING PROACTIVE  

• Target 5 to 10 prospective employers daily and submit applications, either online or in person.

RELYING SOLELY ON THE INTERNET

• In a Monster College survey, 78% of job seekers said that networking was a key factor in employment.  Improve your networking by joining organizations, charity, and setting up a LinkedIn page .  Also, read

FAILING TO FOLLOW UP

• It is not enough to send a resume and pray the phone rings. A  2 or 3 day follow up call is a key way to let the employer know that YOU ARE INTERESTED!

APPEARING UNPROFESSIONAL

• Translation: Don’t assume FACEBOOK privacy settings keep your youthful antics away from a curious employers scrutiny

NOT TAKING THE JOB INTERVIEW SERIOUSLY

• Above all be PREPARED! Research the company, dress appropriately, and be prepared to answer tough interview questions such as “where do you see yourself in 3 years ” or “what are your weaknesses”.

Attending an Interview workshop will help you with overcoming these obstacles and prepare you for a successful Job Hunting Journey.

Scarborough, ME – April 7, 2015  – :   For some among the many graduates of Â鶹AV (Â鶹AV) over the past year, getting to graduation took a lot of hard work and determination.   In some cases, conquering the academics was the easy part:   family responsibilities, health issues and financial pressures are just some of the challenges Â鶹AV students have overcome.

From earthquake survivor to Phlebotomist

Kesner ‘Salvi’ Salvent was working in construction in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to help support his 10 younger siblings in 2010 when a 7.0 earthquake struck.   He was in a crowded store that was collapsing all around him.   “I tried to get out, but it was too late,” Salvi said.   “People in front of me had already started dying.”   He awoke on his stomach much later, pinned beneath the heavy debris and unable to move. He lay there for four days before rescuers heard his cries for help.

Salvi is the best friend of Gabison Boisrond, a current Â鶹AV HVAC Technician student who lives in Kennebunkport with his wife, Erin.   Boisrond kept in cellphone contact with his family and friends in Port-au-Prince as they frantically searched for Salvi, who no one had seen since the earthquake.   Gabison Boisrond’s in-laws intervened when he was finally located and after several days of paperwork, logistics management and assistance from Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s office, Salvi was evacuated to a nearby Navy Hospital ship. With the help and support of untold numbers of caring people, Salvi was brought to the United States.   After a year of medical care and recovery, he made it to Maine in the back of an SUV.

Finally, two years after the earthquake, Salvi enrolled in the Clinical Medical Assistant Program at Â鶹AV which includes phlebotomy training.   He hopes to continue his medical training in the future to help other Haitians, but in the meantime is happy in his new role as a Phlebotomy Technician with NorDx Labs at Maine Medical Center.

From production worker to information technology

When Nam Phan graduated from high school, he secured a production job at Hostess Brands. Nam was confident that a large food manufacturing company that had been successful for many years would provide job security.   But after 10 years with Hostess and with no warning, the company closed and Nam had no marketable skills, certifications or experience in anything but production. He didn’t know where to turn.

Nam was referred to Â鶹AV by a friend and soon after interviewing, enrolled in the computer networking program. In a very short time and with the help of Â鶹AV’s unique ‘Flex-Train’ scheduling (students customize their own schedule), combined with hands-on training, Nam has been able to secure a position in the IT department at Maine Medical Center. Nam credits the courseware and lab simulations for rounding out his program and preparing him to pass his industry certifications with CompTIA and Microsoft. The Career Services Team at Â鶹AV worked with Nam to find part time work in the IT field while he completed his program and assisted with placement through their connections at Maine Medical Center. Nam says, “Thanks, Â鶹AV, for opening the path to a successful future for me and my family.”

From chaos to confidence

Current Â鶹AV student Jessica Sullivan is attending the Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) program at the Scarborough campus.   She’s the mother of 3 children – Isaac, 9; Noah, 2, and Olivia, 6 months and thought it unlikely she’d have the time or resources to go back to school.   But with Â鶹AV’s unique ‘Flex-Train’ system, Jessica was able to custom design her own training schedule to fit the classes into her busy life.

When Jessica began attending Â鶹AV, she was  working 50-60 hours a week at two different jobs and was pregnant with Olivia.   Jessica isn’t even due to graduate until July 2015, but she recently accepted a position as a Medical Assistant at Chest Medicine Associates.

Â鶹AV’s staff and faculty are proud of Salvi, Nam, Jessica and the thousands of Â鶹AV students and alumni who have conquered their personal challenges to achieve a better life through education.

About Â鶹AV

Â鶹AV is Maine’s only locally owned and operated accredited career training school with campuses in Bangor, Scarborough and an extension campus in Lewiston. Â鶹AV is a VA approved school in Bangor and Scarborough and offers Federal Financial Aid for many of its programs and for those who qualify in all campuses. With its short-term, hands-on approach to training, Â鶹AV graduates are job-ready, may earn national certification and are prepared to meet the industry’s overwhelming needs and demands for qualified professionals. The school offers in-demand training for a range of medical programs, including Medical Assistant, Medical Lab Assistant, Medical Coding and Billing, Phlebotomy, Information Technology (PC Repair, Network Administration), HVAC/R and CDL Truck Driving. Classes start each week or month for most programs.

These specially trained canines are also assisting veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. PTSD is a condition which affects an estimated 30% of our country’s war veterans. A Maine based organization which supports veterans with PTSD is helping train these four-legged friends to help veterans overcome one of their toughest battles – readjusting to civilian life.

Rich Brewer served in the marines in the 1980’s, stationed at embassies all over the world, including war-torn Lebanon. But serving his country didn’t come without a price. After returning home he suffered nightmares, flashbacks and considered suicide to deal with the panic attacks. It took almost 20 years before he was diagnosed with PTSD.

But everything changed when he received his adorable four-legged friend.

“Anka has been a lifesaver for me,” he said. “I still struggle with PTSD. I still struggle on a daily basis.”

Anka’s unconditional love and companionship has provided healing he didn’t think was possible.

“To have her by my side. When she senses my anxiety, she drapes across my lap and gives me that visceral feel of want and need.”

Brewer started several years ago, a national organization that provides education and other resources for veterans and their families about PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, known as TBI’s.