Learning to Meet the Threat
Ankita Gupta talks about turning her MSIT education into a career in cybersecurity and what she has done during her summer internship to help prepare for the challenge
The cybersecurity industry is expected to have more than 3.5 million job openings by the end of 2023, according to Cybersecurity Ventures.
Ankita Gupta (MSIT '23) hopes to fill one of those roles.
Gupta is wrapping up her summer internship as an engineering intern at Authentic8, a company that strives to create an environment where anyone can connect to the web at any time and through any device without risk.
“My role primarily involves designing and development of new features for the software and documenting the solutions,” Gupta said. “Knowing that my contributions help improve the efficiency of the web isolation platform is truly gratifying.”
That sort of isolation and safety from would-be cyber criminals is of growing importance and urgency for everything from mom-and-pop shops to the largest companies and government institutions across the globe. Nearly 4,000 new cyberattacks occur every day, with a company falling victim to a ransomware attack every 14 seconds, according to Cloudwards. More than 560,000 new pieces of malware are detected daily.
In 2022, the average cost of a data breach was $4.35 million, according to Statista. Cybercrime Magazine forecasts businesses will lose $10.5 trillion — an estimated $19,977,168 per minute — due to cybercrime by 2025.
That adds to the importance of the skill set Gupta is developing through Northwestern Engineering's Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program, and her desire to work as a cybersecurity software engineer.
Gupta said she was attracted to MSIT because of its blend of technical coursework and practical application.
“The program's focus on preparing students for real-world challenges and its strong network of industry connections were major factors in my decision to enroll,” Gupta said.
Gupta has extracted valuable technical knowledge from her MSIT coursework and blended that with soft-skills lessons that have turned her into a more well-rounded professional. The program’s smaller cohort size promotes effective teamwork, which she said helped her be more of a contributor during her internship.
The internship itself built upon the lessons she was learning in her classes and will make her a better student, and ultimately a better professional, she said.
“Clear communication, sharing ideas, and leveraging the strengths of each team member significantly contribute to the success of a project,” Gupta said. “The teamwork and collaboration skills I've learned during my internship will greatly benefit me during group projects and discussions.”
Gupta is excited for what is to come following her MSIT graduation. Because of her own experiences, she strongly recommends the program to prospective students.
Her advice to those who will follow in her footsteps?
“Actively engage in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the program," she said. "Take advantage of opportunities for hands-on experience, internships, and networking events. The skills and connections you build during the program will have a lasting impact on your career.”
The MSIT program launched a minor in cybersecurity that will be open to all students in Northwestern Engineering's professional Master's programs beginning in the 2023-24 academic year. Learn more about the cybersecurity minor.
