Mar 23, 2023
0 Comment by ViewersCybersecurity (Cy·ber·se·cur·ity.) refers to the process of protecting electronic data from potential threats or unauthorized access, and the methods used to achieve this. That’s according to the dictionary. Do you acknowledge? Over the years, the term “cybersecurity” has become nearly synonymous with terms such as “IT security” or “information security.” It’s similar to claiming that every square is a rectangle, but not all rectangles are squares.
Confused? Let’s analyse it.
Every square is a rectangle because it is a quadrilateral with four right angles. Consequently, cybersecurity, like physical security and information security, falls under the IT security umbrella.
Nevertheless, not every rectangle is a square, because the definition of a square requires all sides to be the same length. The issue is that not all IT security procedures qualify as cybersecurity since cybersecurity has its own set of assets to safeguard.
James Stanger, CompTIA’s Chief Technology Evangelist, describes cybersecurity as “focused on securing electronic assets, including internet, WAN, and LAN resources used to store and transfer that information.”
Of course, hackers with malevolent intent to steal proprietary data and information via data breaches pose a threat to these electronic assets. As a result, it appears that the fully realized definition should contain an increasing collection of cybersecurity solutions meant to secure sensitive data from unwanted access. To do so, evaluate how people, procedures, and technology all play equally vital roles in information security.
Living in a connected society offers numerous benefits, including convenience. Using your smartphone or device, it is quite simple to do business, manage your social schedule, shop, and make appointments. That’s why many of us have adopted it as second nature.
Nevertheless, the ease of linked data also means that threats from malicious actors may do significant damage. Cybersecurity activities are critical to safeguarding our data and, by extension, our way of life.
Cybersecurity may be divided into five categories:
In order to cover all of its bases, a company should build a complete strategy that incorporates not just these five forms of cybersecurity but also the three components that play active roles in a cybersecurity posture: people, processes, and technology.
Let’s face it: no matter how many safeguards you put in place, if individuals don’t obey the rules, you’re still in danger. “You’re just as strong as your weakest link,” as the phrase goes. Most of the time, human error is simply that: a mistake.
Most people do not intentionally violate security protocols because they are either not taught to do so or are unaware of the consequences of their actions. Undertaking security awareness training and repeating the most fundamental cybersecurity concepts with employees outside of the IT department may have a significant impact on your firm’s security posture.
Here are five examples of how the human component can raise your cybersecurity risk:
Inform staff that if anything appears suspicious, it most likely is! Urge employees to pay attention to URLs, delete emails that lack substance or appear to be from a faked address, and emphasize the necessity of protecting personal information. As an IT professional, it is your responsibility to raise awareness about potential cybersecurity hazards.
We all know that using the same password for years is a bad idea. But Bob in finance might not get it. Teach staff the importance of frequently changing passwords and using strong password combinations. We all carry a slew of passwords, and while it’s best practice not to reuse them, it’s reasonable that some of us need to write them down someplace. Please provide recommendations on where to store passwords.
Most employees should appreciate the need to limit personal browsing to their own devices, such as shopping and banking. After all, everyone seeks employment, correct? Monitoring the websites that may link to others is crucial. This includes social media. Karen in customer service may be unaware that posting too much on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms (such as personally identifying information) is simply one method hackers obtain information.
It’s quite simple for an inexperienced tech consumer to go about their daily business without frequently backing up their data and upgrading their anti-virus software. This is the responsibility of the IT department. The most difficult problem here is convincing employees that they require your assistance with these items.
Consider how many individuals in your workplace leave their desks for meetings, gatherings, and lunch breaks. Are their devices locked? When leaving a device unattended, emphasize the importance of protecting information. You may use the airport as an example. Airport personnel continuously remind us to keep track of our belongings and never leave them unattended. Why? This is due to the unpredictable nature of passers-by. Urge staff to treat their gadgets with the same care as they do their luggage.
When training individuals outside of the IT department, IT experts may concentrate on procedures. The methods used by cybersecurity specialists to secure sensitive data are multifaceted. In brief, these IT professionals are responsible for detecting and identifying risks, preserving information, responding to incidents, and recovering from them.
Putting processes in place not only ensures constant checks of each of these buckets, but it may also save your organization time, money, and the trust of your most valuable asset, your customers.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the United States Commerce Department created the Cybersecurity Framework to serve as a guide for private-sector organizations in developing their own best practices. NIST developed the rules after former US President Barack Obama signed an executive order in 2014. It’s an excellent resource to have on hand while you attempt to reduce your cybersecurity risk.
After you’ve established frameworks and processes, it’s time to consider the tools at your disposal to begin execution.
When it comes to your toolbox, technology has two meanings:
Historically, Cybersecurity activities concentrated on defensive measures within the confines of traditional technology. However, rules like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) have blurred such barriers, giving hackers a far larger area to exploit. Remembering cybersecurity fundamentals, such as securing all of your doors, windows, elevators, and skylights, will protect you from being a statistic in the cybercrime statistics.
Keeping up with cybersecurity risks is a difficult task. IT professionals are aware of a vast number of risks, but the problem is that the list is always expanding. Cyberattacks are commonplace nowadays. While some attacks are tiny and easily handled, others swiftly escalate and cause havoc. All cyberattacks necessitate rapid response and resolution.
These are a few examples of frequent cybersecurity dangers from both groups.
Malware is software that intentionally causes harm. Sometimes known as a virus, it can inflict harm simply by opening the incorrect attachment or clicking on the wrong link.
Ransomware is a kind of malware. The distinction here is that ransomware infects a network or steals private data before demanding a ransom (usually in the form of dollars) in return for access to your systems.
Phishing is exactly what it sounds like. Hackers bait you into biting, and when you do, they take personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and more. Phishing attempts typically take the form of emails that appear authentic and persuade you to respond.
Social engineering includes malicious human interaction. This is an example of someone blatantly lying and manipulating others in order to obtain personal information. These folks frequently receive information through social media accounts and postings.
With the number of cybersecurity risks expanding by the minute, it stands to reason that the need for cybersecurity employment is also increasing. Indeed, there are more than 300,000 cybersecurity job openings in the United States.
These are the top cybersecurity job titles, according to CyberSeek, an online site that provides extensive statistics on supply and demand in the cybersecurity job market.
Cybersecurity certificates are available from organizations such as (ISC)2, ISACA, GIAC, and Cisco. The following are some other prominent cybersecurity certifications:
Companies, governments, and people all store massive amounts of data on computers, networks, and the cloud. A data breach may be disastrous for any of these organizations in a variety of ways.
The good news is that its relevance has grown significantly over the years, to the point that executives outside of the IT department are taking note and prioritizing it. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), worldwide security expenditure would reach $103.1 billion in 2019, then expand at a compound annual growth rate of 9.2% through 2022, finally reaching $133.8 billion.
What is the most important takeaway? Cybersecurity is a complicated activity, and the best way to avoid attacks and secure your data is to use a multi-layered cybersecurity approach that integrates your people, processes, and technology.
You can Also Read: Cybercrime: Frightening Cyber Security Facts
