Cyber security is one of the trending things when it comes to the IT world. When you hear the word cyber what comes to your mind? Cyber is related to computers and their networks like the internet and now when you add security, CYBER SECURITY becomes how one can provide protection to systems that are connected to the internet. These systems include software, hardware, and cyber threats. Can you really be safe when it comes to the internet and data systems? With the advancement of technology more cyber security threats are emerging each day.
Cyber security is a whole general field that can be broken down into several elements for better understanding. Some of the elements under the security feature include cloud, data, application, network, and physical and critical infrastructure. Other elements are disaster recovery and end-user education. All these elements must work together for the implemented measurements to work effectively. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the five major functions of the modern cyber security framework are:
- Identify
- Protect
- Detect
- Respond
- Recover
Common Cybersecurity threats include RANSOMWARE, PHISHING, INSIDER THREATS, MALWARE, ADVANCED PERSISTENT ATTACKS, and Man-in-the-Middle Attacks.
- Ransomware: This threat involves an attacker locking the computer system files and for payments to unlock them.
- Phishing: here an attacker uses spam emails that look to come from reputable sources, and they are used to steal data like login and credit card information.
- Insider threats: these are threats caused by humans, primarily employees or clients.
- Malware: when a program or file that contains malicious software is used to attack a computer user.
- Advanced persistent attacks: this is when an attacker can infiltrate a network to steal data and goes undetected for a long period of time.
- Man-in-the-middle attack: this usually involves a third party(attacker) eavesdropping on messages between two parties without them noticing.
Benefits of Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity has many advantages which help especially when it comes to an organization. Some of those benefits include:
- Protection of Data and institutional networks
- Protection to the end users and endpoint users.
- Protection to a business against data breaches and cyberattacks.
- Less recovery time in case of a breach, which assures business continuity.
- Enhancement of trust among clients, stakeholders, developers, employees, and employees. This boosts the reputation of an organization.
To sum it up, cybersecurity should not be taken lightly as attackers are not resting. It is better to be safe than sorry. It is up to you as an individual or an organization to take up the necessary measurements to avoid falling victim. It is advisable to do continuous real-time assessments and monitoring as this helps in defending against threats that are known and unknown. Lastly, if you one is interested in a cyber security career path then this is the right time to jump into it, as the number of qualified cybersecurity personnel is perceived to be very few to meet the ever-growing demand and needs of both individuals and corporate entities.
BY Diana Fifi
