What is Cyber Security?

Cyber Security involves the practice of implementing multiple layers of security and protection against digital attacks across computers, devices, systems, and networks. Usually, organizations have a system and a framework in place for how they tackle attempted or successful cyberattacks. A good framework can help detect and identify threats, protect networks and systems, and recover in case any attack was successful.

Cybersecurity Domains

A strong cybersecurity strategy has layers of protection to defend against cyber crime, including cyber attacks that attempt to access, change, or destroy data; extort money from users or the organization; or aim to disrupt normal business operations. Countermeasures should address:

Critical infrastructure security - Practices for protecting the computer systems, networks, and other assets that society relies upon for national security, economic health, and/or public safety. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created a cybersecurity framework to help organizations in this area, while the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides additional guidance.

Application security - Processes that help protect applications operating on-premises and in the cloud. Security should be built into applications at the design stage, with considerations for how data is handled, user authentication, etc.

Cloud security - Specifically, true confidential computing that encrypts cloud data at rest (in storage), in motion (as it travels to, from and within the cloud) and in use (during processing) to support customer privacy, business requirements and regulatory compliance standards.

Importance of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is even more significant now as most things that we enjoy today are in the form of connected devices and systems. With IoT revolutionizing the way the world operates, it has become imperative that Cybersecurity be implemented in all systems that are prone to threats and attacks to prevent extortion attempts, identity theft, loss of valuable data, misuse of sensitive information, cyberstalking, etc.

Critical infrastructures such as hospitals, financial service companies, power plants, etc. possess sensitive data not only pertaining to their consumers but also to themselves. This calls for serious consideration for Cyber Security implementation to keep our society functioning without disruptions.