Investments in digital technologies have climbed up with a new urgency and ferocity. That means that the entire landscape of technology skills would also be upended significantly. Today, you cannot ignore the kind of impact the following technologies are making in several organizations across sect

1. Blockchain
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
3. Machine Learning (ML)
4. Natural Language Processing (NLP)
5. Containers
6. Microservices
7. Quantum Computing
8. Robotic Process Automation
9. Cloud-driven services
10. Internet of Things
11. Sensors and biosensors
12. Industrial Internet of Things
13. Embedded Hardware
14. Cybersecurity
15. Hyperscale Cloud
16. Webscale programming
17. Last-Mile Telecom

Shift+Ctrl+Delete–Really?

The entire terrain of technology competencies would need a candidate to be fluent in the world’s new language–which starts with digital and ends at being intelligent. Be prepared for entirely new names like bots or smart contracts to disrupt your long-standing processes. Get ready to be defined by your ability to supply an enterprise with the confidence and speed it needs to get digitally savvy.

Do you know that almost 41 lakh young people in India lost jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic?

As per a joint report by the International Labour Organization and the Asian Development Bank, estimates of job loss touch numbers like 4.1 million. It also points out that the youth will be hit harder than adults (25 and older) in the immediate crisis and risk-bearing higher, longer-term economic and social costs.

Introspect and Re-invent your Kit

Upskilling is not an option anymore. It is imperative. What is also important is to be brave and smart about the courses that enhance your proficiency or learn a new one? You would need to get out of your comfort zone. You would have to be equipped with strengths that may not have crossed your mind a year before, but they would define the industry for the next few years for sure.

Your effort, time, and investment would be well-rewarded too. The market is rife with demand for able and application-oriented candidates who can own AI, robotics, sensors, cloud, etc. with absolute confidence. The market will offer rich opportunities–financially and in terms of career growth–who are here at the right time and with the right thing to bring to the table.

Remember that the domestic IT services sector could witness high single-digit revenue growth in 2021-2022 due to higher demand for digital transformation, as per Fitch Ratings. Brookfield Institute also showed that in the US labor market, job openings for roles such as cybersecurity engineers, web developers, and systems engineers showed double-digit growth in the crisis. 

Take advantage of the inherent resilience of the profession you are in. But also take caution of its innate obsolescence that has got compounded because of the crisis.

Get started with a course that complements your passion or your strength. Leap over an unfamiliar terrain–like AI or Blockchain. 

Set your pace to where the industry is going. Stay relevant. Stay sharp. Stay in demand. Take some time to cross over to the new state of the world–on your CV too. Re-develop yourself as a post-Covid era technology professional. Reset the clock now.

• Computational Data Science

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Around 3.5 million cyber security jobs will be unfilled by 2021 ~Cybersecurity Ventures

Unfortunately, bridging this gap is not going to be easy. While the IT industry is working hard towards addressing this issue, many companies have started training their existing IT workforce to help manage their cyber security requirements. While this is a golden opportunity for any aspiring cyber security professional, the industry is marred by certain myths that are keeping learners away. In this article, we will bust those myths with reason, logic, and numbers.

Myth #1: You need a technical qualification to start a career in cyber security.

Fact

You can start a career in cyber security with non-technical positions too. Some such positions are technical writing, cyber policy analyst, etc. Once you start exploring the industry, you will find several non-technical positions that can help you make a career in cyber security.

Myth #2: It is for young employees only

Fact

Call it an influence of the movies where most cyber security experts are teenagers, there is no known correlation between age and cyber security practices. In fact, being a successful cyber security professional demands a thinking individual who can fix problems and get to the root of the cause. Teenagers might be more comfortable with technology but that does not make them the only set of people who can excel in cyber security.

Myth #3: This industry only hires experts in their fields

Fact

Any industry would love having only experts, but that is not practical. If you desire a career in cyber security, then you need to pick a path and stick to it. Technical or non-technical, this industry seeks people who are willing to put hard work into their careers, are determined, focused, and always willing to learn. Experts are not born out overnight, they are good learners in their jobs.

Myth #4:It can take years to learn basic skills to become a cyber security professional

Fact

There are many good cybersecurity programs that span 6-12 months. For example, TalentSprint in association with IIT Kanpur offers an Advanced Certification Program in Cyber Security and Cyber Defense. This is a 6-month hands-on program with seven main areas of focus:

1. Shock and Awe
2. Access Control
3. Data Security
4. Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing
5. Intrusion Detection System
6. Honeypot
7. Software Diagnosis

The program offers an optimum combination of academic proficiency along with a practical approach to help them master the skills that are in-demand in the cyber security industry.

Myth #5:Only big companies hire cyber security professionals

Fact

Smaller organizations are often the target because they think they are safe and therefore don’t invest in proper cyber security systems. If an organization is digitally connected, it’s already under the radar of hackers. This also explains the growing need for cyber security professionals among SMBs.

58% of data breach targets are small businesses
~ 2019 Data Breach Investigations Report, Verizon.

In a world where skills are abundant and job opportunities are shrinking, cybersecurity is an industry that is looking for professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and willingness to learn and grow with the industry. A career that allows you to be a part of the industry that makes the world a safer place is rewarding in all aspects. With these myths busted, we hope that you consider joining this industry and equip yourself with the necessary tools to fight cyber threats.

The post Cyber Security Career: Myths and Opportunities appeared first on TalentSprint.

“The small supply of professionals who have this skill are in high demand. “
~ The Skills Companies Need Most in 2020, LinkedIn

Blockchain has evolved to offer various roles in organizations. Take a look at the top 5 leading roles companies are offering to Blockchain experts.

Blockchain Developer

You are bound to be in great demand if you exhibit good programming skills. After all, you have to design well-functioning applications for Blockchain. You must also help your company explore and evaluate various blockchain platforms. Naturally, you will need to have a keen eye for detail. As for technology skills, the list is quite long! It includes Microsoft SQL Server, MYSQL, SQL, AJAX, Neural Networks, Agile Scrum, Visual Studio, Node.js, MVC, SOAP, NET, C, C++, HTML, C#, JQuery, REST, XSLT, FTP, Javascript, XCOD and XML.

Blockchain Web Designer

Established industries, and even start-ups, desire to display great websites and user interfaces to the public. Therefore, as an expert designer, you will have to come up with unique concepts for launching a blockchain. The task becomes even more challenging if cryptocurrencies come into play while doing so. After all, clients must know what a particular company is offering them.
As for the user interface, it must scream creativity, trustworthiness and allure. However, it should prove quite easy for you, if you have a keen eye for detail, an artistic bent of mind and splendid communication skills backed up by a solid grounding in Blockchain.

Blockchain Project Manager

Here, you must invite blockchain into the concerned establishment. You must also ensure that it adapts well to the organization’s technology platform. In other words, you have the task of converting organizational goals from simple language to technical (blockchain developer) language. Towards this end, you will have to plan, supervise and execute everything well. Then, when communicating details about this conversion to non-technical staff, you must display fluency. You might exhibit your communication skills while supplying updates and obtaining resources too.
It helps to possess the expertise to deal with cloud platforms. It also helps to have a good understanding of technical language.

The business value-add of blockchain will exceed $3.1 trillion by 2030.
~ Gartner

Blockchain Quality Engineer

It would be your job to oversee all kinds of operations in the blockchain arena. This means that you would have the responsibility of testing and automating various frameworks for blockchain. You should make manual testing possible too, and take charge of the dashboards on websites. Thus, all your actions must support platform, mobile and web engineering.

Admittedly, you comprehend that you must be extremely vigilant at all times. Even the smallest of mistakes can cause all manner of misunderstandings amongst people using blockchain technology. Go in for extensive research, so you may supply sensible advice on usage of blockchain tools, conducting tests and implementing automation strategies.

Blockchain Legal Consultant/Attorney

It does not matter what kind of technologies, tools, techniques, etc, come into play. Every organization has to ensure that its functioning remains within the legal framework. After all, blockchain involves monetary transactions and financial decisions. Your establishment will look towards you to provide advice about managing identity, handling finances, etc. With your grasp of local and international laws, you should be able to figure out the implications of every action that comes into play. Above all, you will have to bring about legal partnerships between your company and various other establishments. Blockchain technology grants you assistance in the form of an automation tool titled smart contracts. They are self-executing in nature since you base them on pre-decided terms.

Apart from the above, you could become a blockchain solution architect or blockchain engineer. You could even take up internships/entry-level positions for enhancing your experience and expertise. Best of all, even if you are a non-techie, you could apply for positions in the departments of design, operations, customer care, etc.

This is the right time to give serious thought to developing expertise in this technology. You can take assistance from premier Institutes like IIIT Hyderabad. For instance, TalentSprint offers the Advanced Certificate Course in Blockchain by IIIT Hyderabad. The Program brings you hands-on learning experience Campus Visits, Weekly LIVE Online Interactive Sessions, Hackathons, Capstone Projects, Master Mentors and an exceptional peer group.

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It is a radical technology shift that is going to redefine platforms, verticals, and applications to an unprecedented level. The question is – who is scared and who is ready?

The gossip continues! However, the theme has changed. Earlier, when he used to walk up to the water cooler, he would hear about who has got the H1 Visa, who is leaving for his venture and who ate away all the cookies in the office-pantry. However, now, the chatter hovers around Blockchain, distributed ledger technology, automating trust and blockchain beyond cryptocurrencies and how will it impact the life of a tech professional.

As he walked up to his desk, he used to wonder whether it is too early or too late for him to brace up for this new storm. That’s when he looked around. The friends he trusted for the perfect advice were equally disillusioned and kept going back to their cubicles with the same blank expressions.

The camp is on!

People like Ramesh Hallur, Senior Manager, Cognizant, are often the early birds walking in the direction of the industry trend enabling early adoption of something new. They can be spotted at boot-camps conducted by the likes of IIIT-Hyderabad and TalentSprint. He is one of the participants in the first cohort of the program which started in October 2018.

IIIT-Hyderabad and TalentSprint have designed this program covering both Blockchain Technologies and Solutions. The program gives equal focus on theory and practice. Over 3 months, participants learn two blockchain platforms, ethereum, and hyper ledger in depth and get exposure to half a dozen others. In addition to continuous practice, the capstone project enables them to get close to implementing a blockchain POC in the area of their choice.

Hallur thinks it is the future, he says, “Right now everyone is, more or less, on slate zero. The ones who are here, they will now be ahead in their career.”

So, what makes them observe the big picture and fly towards the land of opportunities? It certainly is not the temptation of just learning the fundamentals, which of course is essential.

Cut your teeth deep

Replete with master lectures, mentored labs, group projects, and hackathons – this program is as much fun as it is challenging. One gets to learn from both academic and industry leaders and people who form the top-notch think-tank of Blockchain in India. Modules are designed with particular emphasis on experiential learning.

Interestingly, a participant points out something else too – the mindset wheels that get changed at these pit-stops. “Blockchain, if one has to apply it for an entity like the Government, will not be about just one stakeholder. Coaching on it, before the POC (Proof of Concept) comes into play, is very crucial. After coming here, a person who gets into implementing Blockchain goes in with the right mindset. It helps to get this figured out; Blockchain is not just a technology challenge but a business challenge.”

Sundeep V Reddy, Cloud Ops Engineering Specialist, is now confident of building his own app on a DL (Distributed Ledger).

For Anthony George, Technical Specialist, IBM the hands-on experience plus the test cases that are provided here are the keys. “We can put it into the code and try to use blockchain on a small scale. It is truly a technology about bridging differences between small and big players.”

The focus of the Blockchain course by IIIT-Hyderabad and TalentSprint is on laying the foundations followed by practice and implementation. Participants have worked on use cases across the supply chain, microlending, asset securitization, insurance, digital identity, content management, trade finance, disaster management and more. Ramkrishna, CEO, Pranco Technologies Pvt. Ltd says, “It is about how to give a business solution. To commercialise it and incentivise it.”

Walk away from the cooler – to the Bonfire

V Aravind, Founder CEO, Sahasradhaara Services says, “The program is designed with exposure to its impact on the future. This is a place that harbors everything, from a three-month intensive boot-camp, complemented with one-year online access and support to an in-depth plus comprehensive curriculum. Partnering with India’s top blockchain COE gives it the strength and foresight that participants adore and leverage strongly.”

Some professionals have got so confident, they may launch their startups in this space soon.

“The knowledge shared by industry experts is exceptional. It motivates me to apply it in my start-up, with confidence.” As Hallur sums it best – it was worth coming and joining here.

Hope the guy at the water-cooler heard him in time.

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Having said this, it is also essential to understand the growing number of cybercrimes and the ever-increasing cybercriminal-ecosystem. In such a landscape, cyber security needs to become an integral part of every business. However, cyber security in India is still in its nascent stages. Let’s look at the top 5 challenges to the adoption of cyber security among professionals and businesses. Today, we will talk about five major challenges to the adoption of cyber security in India.

Cyber security is treated as an ‘IT’ problem and not a ‘Business’ problem

The first challenge to the adoption of any technology or service is the mind-set of the stakeholders. In India, typically, any problem associated with the technology is branded as an ‘IT” problem. Business owners assume that the IT department will take care of the problem and it will be business-as-usual soon. However, if the IT department is not equipped with the right resources (equipment or human resources), then there can be times when it can fail to fend off a cyber-attack. When that happens, businesses spring into action attempting damage control and realizing their folly.

In 2019, the average cost of a data breach was Rs.119 million, up 8% from 2017. 

~ IBM Security

Lack of Capable Cyber Security Professionals

In recent years, many organizations are realizing the importance of cyber security and have been trying to ramp up their processes and human resources to keep them protected against online threats. However, the number of available professionals far outweighs the demand.

According to some market reports, India might need around 1 million cyber security professionals by 2020 (let’s say 2021 considering the COVID-19 pandemic). This is where institutes like TalentSprint have joined hands with the industry & academia  to offer structured programs in cyber security, focused on creating competent professionals to meet this demand.

Friendly Regulations

Regulators in India are taking active note of the increasing cyber-attacks and formulating guidelines and frameworks for implementing comprehensive cyber security mechanisms in organizations. But there is still a lot of scope for granular and sector-specific regulations. Further, with data being exchanged across borders, Indian regulators also need to keep in sync with the global norms. Moreover, compliance parameters and processes are yet to see a concrete shape.

Increasing Dependency on Third-Party Vendors

Even companies who dedicate time and resources for cyber security can lose sensitive data if the third-party vendors used by them get hacked. There is an increasing dependency on third-party vendors for cost and process-efficiency. Unless there is a culture of cyber security in the market, the adoption rates will be low.

Awareness and Readiness

Two main aspects that need to be addressed to increase the adoption of cyber security in India are awareness and adoption. Organizations need to know the potential losses they can face if their systems get hacked or infected with a virus or malware. They also need to stay abreast of the latest cyber security processes adopted by organizations around the world. Once they are aware and ready to accept cyber security as an integral part of their core processes, adoption would be easier, comprehensive, and more effective.

Summing Up

The common thread among all these challenges is the people factor. Are they aware, trained, and capable of recognizing and dealing with cyber-threats? In essence, it boils down to empowering people.

TalentSprint with its Advanced Certification Program in Cyber Security and Cyber Defense is helping professionals become cyber security experts with cutting-edge knowledge and guidance from IIT Kanpur. 

As people realize the importance of this growing technology, we will soon have an ecosystem that has cyber security as an essential corporate pillar.

The post Top 5 Challenges to the Adoption of Cyber Security appeared first on TalentSprint.

IIM Calcutta’s FinTech Programme is making great strides in the country, helping professionals seamlessly change their careers from traditional banking and finance to FinTech. Since it’s inception, over 300 participants working with 170+ top companies like NABARD, PwC India, Goldman Sachs, National Insurance, Societe Generale, Standard Chartered, SBI, and many more have attended this programme and transformed their career.

Today, some are leading FinTech projects in their company, some embarked on an entrepreneurial journey, while some others accelerated their career with new roles in organizations with their FinTech capabilities.

Of them, we bring to you the experience of Amit Tyagi, Business Development (South Asia), MasterCard. A former Standard Chartered Bank professional, Amit found his calling in the “Payments” sector after attending the FinTech Programme.

An ardent retail banker, Amit was skeptical if traditional banking background can maximize his success in the FinTech industry. But after setting himself up for this intensive learning journey, he landed his aspirational FinTech job with MasterCard.  He recalls how his greatest learning came from Peer interaction, Group assignments, and Capstone projects.

Meet Amit Tyagi and discover how he landed his dream role in FinTech with IIM Calcutta’s FinTech Programme.

TalentSprint and IIM Calcutta’s Advanced Programme in FinTech and Financial Blockchain helps professionals build relevant expertise that can lead a traditional BFSI organization into the new era of FinTech. The Programme is best suited for professionals in Banking, Consulting, Financial Services, Insurance, Management, and Technology, who want to be at the forefront of the FinTech Revolution and wish to lead FinTech initiatives in their organization or want to start their own.

If you are keen on deep-diving into FinTech and highly motivated to ride this FinTech wave, this programme is the one you should be looking for, to tap that opportunity.

The post How IIM Calcutta | TalentSprint’s FinTech Programme helped Amit land his dream job at MasterCard. appeared first on TalentSprint.

Boom times for FinTech in India

According to the findings from a study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and FICCI, Indian FinTech companies are poised to become three times as valuable in the next five years, reaching a USD 150-160 billion valuation by 2025. 67% of over 2,100 FinTechs have sprung up just in the last five years. The segment has attracted massive investments, with India emerging as Asia’s most prominent destination for FinTech deals. Increased awareness, government policies, quick onboarding and ease of use, smartphone proliferation and internet expansion, regulatory support, and improved technology are key factors driving rapid Fintech adoption.

Experts share their exciting views on India’s FinTech revolution

So how are professionals gearing up for FinTech?

Innovation, rapid transformation and staggering growth in India’s FinTech space is creating massive opportunities for entrepreneurs and professionals. For several of them, getting into the FinTech industry is not just about vital niche technology skills such as app development. There are other solutions they need to offer an organization to be considered as their next FinTech expert. This entails knowing about public cloud technologies, data science and delving deeper into the realm of machine learning and artificial intelligence. 

Can you get into FinTech without programming knowledge?

Yes indeed. You can build a successful career in FinTech without programming or coding knowledge. Even if you are a non-tech professional, having programming knowledge is not crucial to start and lead FinTech projects. Coding is mainly employed to create new software or change the way things function currently. These changes can be done through programmers. 

Then, what capabilities do you need to build a career in FinTech? 

Organizations in the FinTech industry are constantly looking for expert professionals to fill in critical roles. FinTech professionals don’t really need deep tech knowledge to make it in the field. They require substantial familiarity with the workings of the different underlying technologies to use them for FinTech innovations. 

Some of the important capabilities required to build a career in FinTech include. 

• Blockchain: The expansion of the cryptocurrency industry can be connected to the increasing demand for blockchain experts. As per a LinkedIn study, blockchain was the most in-demand job skill in 2020. With new blockchain solutions being introduced to financial institutions at a growing rate, FinTech professionals need a strong familiarity with its inner workings. 

• Cybersecurity: The development of the online financial services industry has increased the risk of cyber crime, and the startups in FinTech are particularly more vulnerable to these threats. Therefore, cybersecurity professionals are needed to prevent data loss and protect a company’s reputation. FinTech professionals must work along with cybersecurity professionals in the areas of risk management, encryption methods, and digital communication technologies, among others.

“Cybersecurity is critical for the success of digital banking and banks should create the infrastructure to win customers’ trust for all such transactions.”
Ravindra Pandey
Deputy MD and Chief Digital Officer
State Bank of India

• Data Science: The analysis and interpretation of data become crucial in redefining financial services. Data Science yet again relies on machine learning, deep learning, big data, and artificial intelligence. Data science experts analyze the data and provide recommendations and solutions on how data can improve the current services.
• Analytics and Communication: Analytical capabilities will help you grow much further in the FinTech industry. Being able to dissect the problem and coming up with viable solutions is critical expertise. Communication skills are valued in this field, too, because you will have to communicate your ideas to your fellow team members and stakeholders who may not be familiar with the new FinTech landscape. 

What’s the way forward for FinTech professionals?

Tapping into promising career opportunities in the FinTech space entails having an in-depth understanding of how FinTech works and deep expertise. To develop such an understanding and expertise, one needs hands-on learning. That’s why IIM Calcutta and TalentSprint, offer a uniquely designed six-month Advanced Programme in FinTech and Financial Blockchain (APFFB) for professionals in banking, consulting, financial services, insurance, management, and technology, who want to tap into opportunities and shape their careers in the FinTech space. It’s a faculty-led interactive Live online programme with a well-researched curriculum that fosters hands-on learning. The programme has completed 3 cohorts with 450+ participants currently working with 170+ top companies.

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The COVID-19 outbreak has not only caused massive global disruption, but it has also altered the entire global workforce and the cyber security landscape. The world now has moved to Cloud and remote models unprecedentedly since the onslaught of COVID19.

The way people work has changed. Data and processes are no longer confined to any visible perimeter. The direction ahead also hints at the continued penetration of remote-work and telework in many industries. But the shift to cloud and other platforms comes with its own set of security challenges. Hackers don’t discriminate between a large and small business. No one is immune to a cyber attack. Today’s glut of digital data means advanced cyber security measures are more crucial than ever.

Cyber Security: the most in-demand skill, post COVID-19

Industry reports are pointing out that cyber security roles would be the first to be hired post-lockdown as soon as enterprises resume work at full pace. The third annual survey of 750 cybersecurity and IT professionals worldwide (KPMG-Oracle’s Cloud Threat, 2020) reveals that right now there is a crisis of confidence due to a patchwork approach to data security, mis-configured services and confusion around new cloud security models. IT professionals are three times more concerned about the security of company financials and IP than their home security. As many as 80% observed that recent data breaches suffered by other businesses have nudged everyone towards better protection of data.

That explains the phenomenal success of the Program in Cyber Security and Cyber Defense. Delivered in partnership with one of the country’s premium institutes – IIT Kanpur. The Program’s first cohort of 40 professionals commenced in November 2019. The curriculum is designed to enable professionals to build solutions to the challenges the IT security industry is confronting.

The 1st Cohort saw professionals from many blue-chip companies from sectors like Technology, Consulting, Finance, and Insurance  enrolling for the Program. Names like KPMG, Honeywell, Cisco, Cognizant, Ola etc. were part of this new format. Highest enrolment included professionals with 10+ years of experience.

What propelled these cohort classes to elevated levels of success?

1. This is not any run-of-the-mill  program but is created with meticulous attention to the actual challenges and trends that cyber security professionals have to be ready for. To add to that, the cohort sessions accelerate the candidates on the career path with latest skills and gap-fillers that a busy, on-the-job life may not always make it easy for them to catch up on.
2. The format is executive-friendly, hands-on and rich with opportunities for interaction and collaboration.

The expertise in cyber security cannot be honed the old way. Instead, such capabilities would have to be built up with a new-age Program and with deeper exposure to real-world issues.

Going forward, these professionals will be the new front-line leaders after lockdowns ease. More than ever, this is the right time for professionals to exploit the new demand that is only going to gather more force as organizations move into the ‘new world’. And that’s where they would need the right professionals and expertise by their side.

The post Cyber Security Program: Top 3 reasons for the success of the 1st Cohort appeared first on TalentSprint.

• Is it the only way to progress in my career? 
• Does it help to enhance knowledge or build new capabilities in the relevant field of my interest?
• In today’s dynamic fast-paced tech-dominated world, can a general management  approach work for all professionals? 

Highly experienced professionals come from different educational and professional backgrounds and naturally have different learning needs. Many of them opt for new learning programs to stay up-to-date, enhance skills and be relevant in today’s fast-changing world. Getting a degree just for the sake of it is not their goal. 

Experienced professionals who are hard-pressed for time and eager to enhance their knowledge and capabilities, have started opting for short-term yet intense executive programs offered on various state-of-the-art interactive digital learning platforms. Such platforms have partnered with prestigious academic institutions and global corporations to bring highly trusted programs that are a blend of high-end academics and industry-leading practices.

What is making these highly experienced professionals prefer such executive programs over traditional executive MBA? We discovered the top five reasons. 

1. Focused approach

Unlike a traditional executive MBA, in executive programs you need not learn all the mandatory modules which add little value. In executive programs, you can learn only the specific programs that you think are relevant to your current work or role. For example, if you are from a banking, financial services, insurance, management, or consulting and technology background, then you need not learn a subject on traditional inventory management. Instead, you can focus on learning things like blockchain in finance & fintech that are more relevant to you at this point.

2. Time is money

The duration of an executive MBA could be for one-year or two-years. In today’s dynamic, hectic, and challenging work schedules, highly experienced professionals are hard-pressed for time. Many companies are even contemplating having more extended workdays with six days of working. In such a rigid schedule, can you even think of spending long term on a typical executive MBA program that may lose its relevance by the time you complete it or you may even lose interest in? Whereas, if marketing is your area of interest then you can finish a highly focused short-term executive program on AI-powered marketing in just 6 Months.

3. Money and value

An executive MBA at a good academic institution costs a lot. In India, it may cost roughly anywhere between INR 4 to 50 lakh or more, depending upon the institution you choose. Doing an executive MBA is not just about getting a degree. The quality and reputation of the institute also matters, and that comes at a hefty price tag. If not company-sponsored, many experienced professionals even go for a bank loan falling into undue financial and mental stress. Is it worth it? It’s time to explore uniquely designed short-term executive programs offered by globally recognized institutes of India but are less expensive.

4. Choosing the best

When you are doing a course, you have to do it from top academic institutions. But unfortunately, top academic institutions have limited seats for such programs. Should it stop you from learning and upskilling? No, you can still learn from the top, and prestigious academic institutions in India like the IIM, IIT, IISc, IIIT etc. through their executive programs offered through various interactive digital learning platforms.

5. Learning opportunities

Executive MBA programs do not provide as many options when it comes to choosing topics of interest. They have a restricted number of subjects that focus on General Management and some specializations and hence may not offer much flexibility. In comparison, the executive programs offered by digital learning platforms can continuously keep updating and add newer programs at a much faster rate to match the changing dynamics of the business world. That is the reason you find a lot of focus on technology in these executive programs. They understand how technology will transform the business world within no time and design courses that may help you stay at the forefront of tech transformation. They also provide a great platform for guided discussions, skills development, and networking.

Being a full-time working professional may not leave you with much time to learn new things and enhance your knowledge and skills. You may struggle a bit to find a program suited to your interests academically, professionally, socially, geographically, and schedule-wise. In such a scenario, specific, short-term, industry-relevant executive programs through instructor-led interactive LIVE online mode offered by various high-tech digital platforms may be a better option for you over a traditional executive MBA program. 

In this dynamic business world, learning never stops. Arm yourself with new capabilities and stay relevant.

The post Top 5 Reasons Why Experienced Professionals Prefer Executive Programs over Executive MBA appeared first on TalentSprint.

Cyber Security has changed the world we live in now. From the 1990s’ challenges of server-side attacks and Windows OS threats; to client-side attacks and hacking in 2000, we have seen both the attackers and the defenders evolving. In the 2010s, this landscape leaned towards supply chain attacks. However, as we navigate 2021, we are already witnessing a new genre of threats across the web and email security (grew 12.5 percent in 2021), 5G network, authentication, and authorization. 

Cyber Security: A Growing Menace
Looking at some recent stats on Cyber Security, CheckPoint reported that global cyber attacks increased by 29 percent as hackers continued to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to remote work. It also predicted that for the remaining half of 2021, one should be ready by all means as more is yet to come. Ransomware will rise despite law enforcement stepping up. Hackers would use penetration tools – they would give the hackers the ability to customize attacks ‘on the fly.’ We might see more collateral damage, too. In another analysis, Ransomware attacks made up 22 percent of all reported Cyber Security incidents in the first half of 2021, as per some estimates from CybSafe. The fact that many companies undertook hybrid workplaces and digital transformation – only added the dangers from Cyber Security gaps. And it costs—a lot.

The need for more defense
The forceful switch from Work from Office to Work from Home because of COVID-19 has sped up the need for Cyber Security professionals worldwide. But, unfortunately, hackers and scammers outnumber these Cyber Security pros and as a result, cyber-attacks have surged during the pandemic. 

In a recent Industry Immersion Event, Britto Sidhan, General Manager (Global Security Lab), Schneider Electric, shared an interesting observation on how this global talent shortage can become a goldmine for aspirants planning to launch their tech career or professionals looking for a career switch.

Britto Sidhan, General Manager (Global Security Lab), Schneider Electric, shares an interesting observation on how the global talent shortage in Cyber Security.

To bridge the ever-expanding security gap today, nearly 4 million Cyber Security professionals are needed worldwide. We need both Blue teams and Red teams to help the defense posture. The Red team takes care of penetration testing; identifies, and exploits potential weaknesses in an enterprise’s cyber defenses; and undertakes risk assessments. In addition, it can handle attempts to compromise networks using the same software and tactics as used by real-world adversaries. As to the Blue team – this one takes care of implanting controls, guiding the IT security team on improvement areas for stopping sophisticated attacks. In addition, they handle security monitoring, conduct host and network-based analysis to identify the source and destination of an attack.

Today there are a lot of gamified platforms, cyber-drills, and bug-bounty programs where professionals can elevate and demonstrate their skills in Cyber Security. They are also promising avenues for recruitment. 

Saddle up
If you aspire to be part of this exciting frontier and help enterprises have a strong security posture, there are many ways and programs to hone your expertise. Apart from technical proficiency, a good Cyber Security professional would also need strong communication skills, problem-solving skills, technical aptitude, hacking knowledge, and command over languages like Python and Java. Some proven cutting-edge Cyber Security programs and lots of passion can speed up your way to an attractive career path. It is an area that will always be intellectually stimulating because of constant innovation and competition.

The landscape will change again in the next decade, as always. But the need for good  Cyber Security professionals will keep growing. 

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