The rise of the world connected to the Internet in recent decades has brought many benefits. But this connectivity can also pose a threat.
Hackers regularly take advantage of connected devices to wreak havoc, steal valuable information, or even hold companies and governments hostage.
Keeping the digital world safe as the number of devices continues to grow means combating these digital threats with cybersecurity. In this guide, we will explain
what is cybersecurity and why is it important, as well as the different types of cybersecurity and cyberthreats.
What is cybersecurity?
In general terms, cybersecurity is the set of practices and tools that people, "ITC staff". Governments use it to protect information and devices from attackers. As a last resort,
the objective of cybersecurity is to guarantee the integrity, confidentiality and availability of digital information. Authorized users should be able to access files on request, but no one should have access to them. There is no single practice or software that constitutes a cybersecurity strategy.
Cyber security rather involves the deployment of passive and active digital security tools at various levels, as well as constant monitoring of new online threats. For example, a company's computer network can be simultaneously protected by antivirus software, an authentication system to limit access, and a team of IT professionals constantly monitoring the network. Having strong cyber security means not only being able to stop known malware and other online attacks, but also detecting new virus and hack efforts and preventing them from succeeding. In addition, protecting devices and networks from malicious actors requires that people, devices, and networks be resilient to attack. For example,
keeping an offline backup of your files may not directly stop a cyberattack, but it can limit the potential damage of a successful attack.
Why is cybersecurity important?
It's hard to overstate the importance of cybersecurity in today's highly connected world. Ginni Rommitty, CEO of IBM, calls cybercrime the biggest modern threat to every business in the world. By some estimates, companies lose more than $400 billion in value each year from successful hacks.
Each attack puts data at risk, reduces productivity, damages a company's reputation, and potentially exposes trade secrets.
Cyber attacks are not limited to businesses either. The malware doesn't cross international borders and doesn't make a distinction between a CEO's computer and yours. About 44 data records (usernames, passwords, financial information) are stolen every second of every day. This data can be used to steal people's identities and worse. Cybersecurity is the only way that individuals, businesses, and governments can protect themselves against the loss of valuable data or theft by a malicious actor.
Types of cybersecurity
In the vast field of cybersecurity, there are many different subdisciplines that focus on specific threats or types of digital architecture: This is the type of cybersecurity that most people are familiar with. This involves protecting usernames and passwords through systems such as two-factor authentication and timed password expiration. If you've ever used a password manager, this is a type of network security.
Application security it's largely behind the scenes, before the software is made public. This type of cybersecurity is designed to ensure that a program does not contain vulnerabilities that an attacker can exploit. For example,
the software can be built with a firewall that prevents you from connecting to an unwanted server, even if the software code is pirated.
Information security is the cybersecurity discipline that aims to protect files. This can include encryption tools that prevent files from being read even if they are stolen, as well as authorization protocols that prevent hackers from deleting or encrypting files. This is where protecting the digital world means protecting the physical world. Critical infrastructure security focuses on Internet-connected computer systems that control physical machines, such as generators that feed the electrical grid.
A 2007 test showed for the first time that the power grid and other infrastructure could be affected by cyberattacks. More recently, cyberattacks have called into question the normal operation of the electrical grid in the United States and the United Kingdom. A cybersecurity strategy can only be successful if individual computer and network users do their part. This means creating strong passwords and changing them frequently, recognizing and avoiding fraudulent emails and websites. Educating end users on best practices and encouraging them to report suspected attacks is key to developing a resilient cybersecurity strategy.
Types of cyber threats
What types of attacks, in general, is cybersecurity designed to stop? Cyber threats fall into three distinct categories:
- privacy attacks, designed to steal secure information. It can be personal information, trade secrets, or even classified government documents.
- integrity attacks, also known as leaks. In this case, sensitive information is stolen and exposed publicly, often with the goal of undermining trust in a company or government.
- availability attacks, whose objective is to prevent users from accessing their own data. Successful attackers often demand a ransom to release the data. Data may be encrypted or permanently deleted if the ransom is not paid.
Cybersecurity and the future
Cyber security experts and hackers are in a constant battle where the tools available to each party are constantly evolving. Artificial intelligence, for example, has already changed the cybersecurity landscape by allowing antivirus developers to identify new malware before it can wreak havoc. Meanwhile, malware developed by attackers is more damaging and spreads more easily across networks. As global connectivity continues to grow,
the importance of cybersecurity will only grow. Experts predict that
the global cybersecurity market will be worth 170 billion euros by 2022 and that governments around the world are developing defense capabilities against cyber attacks.
What can you do to protect yourself? To start, back up your files regularly and invest in antivirus software. Beware of emails from unknown senders and learn how to identify phishing schemes. Above all, remember that a good cybersecurity strategy must be multi-layered and resilient.