GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – As AI rapidly advances with cybersecurity measures improving daily, students gathered at East Carolina University to learn about technology career paths.
A technology summit was held at ECU on Monday, where representatives from tech giants, such as Google, Microsoft, and Darktrace, spoke about various career paths.
Cyber experts at the event said digital threats are evolving rapidly, not just on an international stage, such as in Iran, but also close to home.
“The infiltration that is happening, it’s not anything new, it’s just more ramped up than normal. With the proliferation of AI, you have all these issues coming at a much faster pace than before. So, you fight AI with AI-based security,” says Darktrace speaker Chris Hughes.
The accelerating cyber threats require cybersecurity professionals to adapt in real time as digital dependence increases.
“Very strong career field, this is a digital world that we live in. With the convergence of OT/IT, there’s a need for different types of security. It’s absolutely a great field to be in,” says Hughes.
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, cybersecurity is among the nation’s fastest-growing industries, with employment projected to grow 29%. The field has become essential to protecting national security infrastructure, small businesses, and personal data.
“Cybersecurity will always be important. It is here to stay. With that data, those processes, our devices we’re able to use, and how we’re advancing so quickly, you’re going to want to make sure to monitor and have an efficient way of observing what activity is happening,” speaker Chaunte Rucker says.
Professionals at the summit said cybersecurity covers areas such as protecting against business email compromise, IP address theft, and network takeovers, threats that organizations face daily.
Summit organizers said events like Monday’s gathering help guide future professionals into a field needed now more than ever, particularly as AI-driven innovations continue to reshape the digital landscape.
ECU will continue to hold technology career events throughout the remainder of the semester.
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