What Is Digital Security?
Digital security is the technology, processes and best practices that protect information from cyber threats. This includes tools like password managers and antivirus software as well as strategies such as encryption and network security. It is an essential part of a secure online environment as more personal and financial data is shared over the internet. The protection of this data reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access and breaches, and maintains trust and credibility in online interactions.
The field is constantly evolving to stay ahead of cyber threats and rapidly advancing technologies. As a result, there is a large demand for cybersecurity professionals and an opportunity to pursue a highly rewarding career.
Security techniques include the use of backups, which are copies of important files stored in multiple locations. This allows the information to be recovered in the event of an incident such as a data breach. Authentication techniques can ensure that communication end-points are who they claim to be, and automated theorem proving and verification tools can enable critical algorithms used in secure systems to be mathematically proven as meeting their specifications. Cryptographic techniques can defend data in transit between systems, and forensic analysis can determine who perpetrated a cyberattack.
A firewall is a hardware or software application that acts as a barrier between the internet and potential online threats. It monitors and controls incoming and outgoing data, and permits only safe information to pass through while blocking any potential cyberattacks. Encryption is a key component of digital security, as it encodes data making it inaccessible without the right decryption key. This information can only be accessed by the person with permission, which is an effective deterrent against unauthorized access and cyberattacks.