Introduction to Cyber Security

Continuously passing into the digital age and improving day by day, it comes without surprise that all the technology we use and see around us, needs to be protected. Why the need for protection? This is to ensure that any and all sensitive data, personally identifiable information, health and personal information, intellectual properties, data and other confidential materials from governmental, private and industrial agencies stay guarded and secure. This is done to make sure that the information contained within them isn’t stolen or exploited.

The dawn of the internet caused a shift in the paradigm of information and data storage technology in every frontier, be it in personal use, national security, health, entertainment, business management and more. With our increasing reliance on the virtual platform for convenience, we also have to question its safety and privacy schemes for the data we store.

Information is a powerful resource that in the wrong hands can be used with malicious intent. Other pertinent infrastructures are also capable of being disrupted or destroyed. Therefore a cyber security program plays a crucial role in safeguarding and defending the technological equipment and the data against and potential threats and breaches in the security of that company or organization by using the latest technologies and processes available. It provides protection against various types of threats like Malware, Ransomware, Phishing, Insider threats, DDoS attacks and Advanced Persistent Threats.

Benefits of Cyber Security

1. Protection

Cyber Security provides security against unauthorized access to any computerized networks or databases or infrastructures. This ensures that no one with a criminal or malicious intent can make use of any data, information or infrastructure as it is safe-guarded by protective measures.

2. Information security

These protective systems, keeps our privacy intact and ensures that the information within the databases like cloud and other networks are kept safe from prying eyes. This enables the user and concerned parties to feel confident in the equipment and data they’re dealing with without having to worry about a potential breach or leak of information.

3. Shorter recovery time

Incase of breach in security, the data lost can be retrieved due to back up systems in place as last attempt. However detection and recovery has to be fast in order to ensure less data leakage.

4. Safe working environment

Cyber Security ensures a working space free from cyberattacks, therefore the employees within the organization can work in a stress free environment with ease.

5 Types of Cyber Security

These benefits have to extend to a lot of arenas within an organization’s digital platform in order for it to be truly protected. The major 5 cyber security domains include-

1. Critical Infrastructure Security

This refers to the protections of computer systems, networks both wired and wireless among other appliances that are relevant to the society for national security, health and public safety for example Traffic lights, Water systems, Electricity grids and more.

2. Cloud Security

This refers to securing the data stored within the cloud, the information that is exchanged via cloud and the other applications stored in it. Cloud computing security is similar to traditional data centers in terms of storage capacities however it has a very low time and cost expense due to its virtual nature and the risk of security breaches is very low.

3. Application Security

Involves protecting any software from cyberattacks. Software protection is enabled with the help of encryption programs, firewalls and antivirus programs. The security for such programs are built in during the design whilst keeping user authentication and data handling in mind.

4. Network Security

Protection of internal networks of any digital equipment to better deal with the possibility of a network breach, nowadays real time machine learning is employed to keep track of potential threats to the system. Network systems are generally kept secure by the usage of extra logins, constant password changes, application security like encryption and anti spyware software.

5. Internet Security

This includes any and all non critical cyber infrastructures ranging from kitchen appliances to smart TVs and cars. Therefore it is necessary to ensure the safety of the gadgets we use daily as their functions are linked to the internet too. Awareness should be given to users on using unknown external devices, click-on ads and suspicious email attachments.

Cyber security plays a huge role in ensuring that any data, and the appliances and infrastructure concerning it is maintained in a secure manner even in cases of accidents or natural disasters etc. The best defense is a good offense, and in the case of cybersecurity, this means using the latest, and best technologies out there to assure the users that their privacy is well guarded. They can help assess the level of vulnerability present to the digital platform thus giving time for analyzing any potential threats and resolving them.

5 Latest Technologies

The latest technologies involved fighting cyber crimes include-

1. AI & Deep Learning

Uses additional layers of parameters for user identification where AI and deep learning is utilized to analyze data and detect unwanted activities.

2. Behavioral analytics

This involves analyzing network and data transmission patterns to flag down potential threats.

3. Embedded Hardware Authentication

A step up from passwords and PINs, embedded authenticators are used to verify a user’s identity using authentication chips that are built in with the hardware.

4. Block chain Cybersecurity

Works on the basis of identification and authentication between two parties in a transaction. This ensures the verification of data by every individual involved within the network thus creating a fool proof and nearly impenetrable system.

5. Zero trust model

Works on the crux that both internal and external systems can be or is already compromised and therefore needs equal protection and regular upgrades. Essentially as the name indicates, trust no one and leave nothing to chance.

Cyber Security for Children

Individuals of all ages, be it kids or adults, spend hours on gadgets on a daily basis. It therefore goes without mention that even in our daily lives, cyber security becomes an important aspect in order to ensure the digital well-being of every adult and child. Children are at higher risk when compared to adults as they aren’t fully aware of the implications of living in the digital era with gadgets as companions for both educational and entertainment purposes.

It therefore becomes the adults responsibility to ensure that their children are well protected in the cyber world from cyber bullying, scams, inappropriate content and other malwares. Parents can ensure their safety by enabling the kids’ friendly safe search options available in most platforms, which when chosen only shows contents relevant and safe for a child. Monitoring their child’s activities online is yet another way by which parents can ensure their safety. Create awareness within them about the potential hazards of being digitally active and equip them with knowledge which can help stave off any unwanted threats. Having read up so far on cybercrimes and the security against it, one can see the prudence in the age old adage that says “treat your passwords like your toothbrushes, change them every three months!” So folks, take your cyber security seriously, for it protects our reality, digitally.