What is Cyber-Security?
We live in a society that relies on computers and the Internet to communicate (email, smartphones, apps), travel (electronic navigation systems), shop (online shopping, credit cards), transport (airplanes, trains, automobiles) and even for our daily healthcare needs. In this highly connected world, the protection of information against malicious intent is increasingly crucial – and that’s where cybersecurity comes in.
Cyber-security involves a broad spectrum of strategies and policies that protect networks, systems and data from cyberattacks. It includes measures to identify and respond quickly to threats, mitigating the risk of disruptions and ensuring business processes continue uninterrupted. The field also requires continuous monitoring of the threat landscape to ensure the best defenses are in place and that vulnerabilities can be addressed promptly.
In addition to network and endpoint security, a key aspect of cybersecurity is encryption that helps to keep sensitive data secure while in transit. Another tool is security by design — or secure by design — which refers to software designed with security as a main feature, making it more challenging for attackers to breach the system. Periodic security reviews involving penetration testing, source code reviews and red team assessments also help to reduce vulnerability.
In the past, attacks against information have ranged from scams that steal personal information, including passwords, to cyber espionage, when hackers gain access to military base networks, universities and other organizations to gather secrets and then sell them to foreign governments. However, it’s now possible to prevent attacks or mitigate the impact of breaches by having robust plans and procedures in place, including backups that can mitigate the effects of an attack and make sure information remains available even if an organization is hit.