What is Cyber Security

Why is Cyber Security So Important?

We need good, strong cyber security because so many threats exist. Large corporations like Target have been attacked. Government agencies have realized hackers attacked their networks after the fact. Small businesses have crumbled under the weight of the consequences of a cyber-attack. Medical groups have had to harden their defenses so the private medical information of patients wouldn’t be stolen.

Even though Target was able to handle and minimize the damage it suffered, customers had to worry about identity thieves getting their financial information. This means that there may be several levels to every cyber-attack; once a company’s computer networks have been secured and the malware has been quarantined, now individuals have to worry about their own information and whether their identities and accounts are still fully secure.

The costs of cyber-crime were estimated at $2 trillion for 2019 but financial losses aren’t the only issues. Loss of reputation and the future loss of market shares will hurt the company far into the future. Everyone, individuals and businesses, should operate from the belief that their businesses and information are under attack all the time.

What Needs to Be Secured?

Everything. Attacks are designed to steal or destroy data. The criminals behind ransomware attacks extort money from victims for the release of data - and they don’t always return it.

Individuals have to protect every single bit and byte of data they have stored on their computers and smartphones. If you use your credit or debit card at the store, put the debit card away. If a cyber thief steals your information from the store’s servers, your credit card company can protect you. But be ready to monitor your credit reports.

Companies need to adopt the practice of dividing a three-part infrastructure:

• Computer security

• IT security

• Cyber security

IT security protects the data stored in it, as well as physical data. Cyber security protects the digital information that is collected and stored on devices, computers, and networks. Computer security is also known as network security. This is a smaller part of cyber security, which relies on software and hardware to protect data that gets sent from the computers and devices through to the network.

A business needs all three types of security to help protect data from different types of attacks. These attacks are designed to delete or change data, access data, extort money, or otherwise keep the business from carrying out normal processes.

Cyber security can be further broken down into “types” of security:

• Network security

• Critical infrastructure security

• Application security

• Cloud security

• Information security

• Data loss prevention

• End-user education

Cyber thieves employ various types of threats:

• Advanced persistent threats (APTs)

• Social engineering

• Malware

• Attacks on availability

• Attacks on confidentiality

• Attacks on integrity

Who Needs Cyber Security?

Anyone who owns a device that connects to the internet via cell phones, computers, tablets, routers, servers, cloud accounts, or social media accounts needs to know about cyber security and how to use it.

Cambridge Analytica used various forms of data engineering in an attempt to manipulate the 2016 general election. After partnering with social media giant Facebook, it began to mine and harvest the private data of almost 87 million Facebook profiles; they did this illegally with the help of someone from the company. Then, Cambridge Analytica (CA) began to work with the Trump campaign, pulling in another firm, the SCL Group. The SCL Group through CA started what it called an influence operation.

Facebook users took a quiz which had been placed on Facebook. This exposed a loophole in the Facebook API, enabling it to collect data from the friends of the Facebook users who took the quiz. The friends of people who took the quiz were never aware that their information had been taken.

This is an example of what a corporation can do to get around privacy laws, but hackers carry out similar campaigns when attacking a company or individual, sending them emails or texts that look legitimate, phone calls that seem urgent and seem to come from a company you recognize, or they may just insert a scanner into a gas pump and steal your credit card information wirelessly. There are more cyber threats out there than most people realize.

What are the Common Types of Threats?

Cyber thieves and hackers employ many types of cyber-attacks. Each type of attack allows them to get data, personal information, or money.

These attacks include:

1. Malware This is malicious spyware, viruses, worms, software, and ransomware - Malware gets into a network by finding a soft, vulnerable spot in a computer system. The hacker may send an email with a link that has the malware embedded in it. Once the link has been opened, it quietly installs the software, where it begins to install more harmful malware, blocks access to needed areas of the network (ransomware), or interrupts particular areas of the system and makes it inoperable or steals information by taking data from the hard drive (spyware).

2. Phishing This involves sending a fake communication that looks like it comes from a valid source, via email. The victim answers the email, thinking it’s urgent or at least legitimate, and only later finds out that personal or financial information has been stolen.

3. Denial of Service attack In this type of attack, a system is flooded with incoming traffic that overwhelms the bandwidth. This crowds out legitimate requests and is known also as a distributed denial of service attack, keeping legitimate users from a service or business until the bad actors get what they want.

4. Man in the middle (MitM) attack This is an eavesdropping attack which happens when a hacker puts themselves in the middle of a two-party transaction so they can steal the data or funds sent through the interaction. They use insecure public Wi-Fi, then install software that allows them to pose as an intermediary hub between the user and the site they are using.

5. Structured Query Language (SQL) injection In this form of attack, a hacker places malicious code inside a server to force the server to reveal information that it would usually keep secret.

6. DNS tunneling This uses the DNS protocol to send non-DNS traffic over a specific port where, when used illegally, DNS requests are manipulated to extract data from a system that has been compromised.

How to Minimize Threats

You can take several precautionary steps to protect yourself and/or your company from cyber theft. You don’t have to be part of a large company to become a target; small companies and individuals have also found themselves to be targeted.

In reality, too many small businesses don’t have any official internet security policy for themselves or their employees. But small companies are just as vulnerable as large ones, especially as cyber-thieves are looking for the easiest targets to attack. In a study conducted by Symantec, more than 40% of attacks are carried out against companies with less than 500 employees.

Prevent attacks by:

• Changing passwords regularly

• Training every employee in cyber security practices

• Limiting the access of employees to information and data

• Install a firewall

• Each employee should have their own user account

• Download and install software updates regularly

• Make your Wi-Fi network hidden and secure

• Create backup copies of vital information and data

• Control all physical access to all network components and computers

Discover cyber protection, why it's essential, and also just how to acquire and begin establishing a cyber security program in this installment of our Info Protection 101 collection. Cyber security refers to the body of modern-day innovations, treatments, along with methods made to shield networks, tools, programs, and likewise info from strike, damage, or unauthorized accessibility.

A substantial part of that data can be delicate info, whether that be intellectual household or commercial residential or commercial property, monetary details, individual details, or other types of details for which unapproved availability or direct exposure could have unfavorable effects. Organizations send delicate data across networks and likewise to other tools in the course of operating, and likewise cyber security defines the strategy devoted to protecting that details and also the systems utilized to process or store it.

This approach requires to incorporate both the processes as well as innovations required to build a fully grown cyber security as well as protection program. An ever-evolving area, cyber safety finest methods should evolve to suit the significantly advanced attacks achieved by aggressors.

Cyber security, computer security or even information security is actually the protection of information systems and computer networks from either the accidental damage or theft of their internal or external hardware, data, or even electronic information. This protection comes in the form of anti-virus, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, intrusion prevention systems, and various other security applications that help safeguard the networks and computers from malicious software and devices.

As the field of cyber security has evolved in recent years, so has its definition. However, it is important to note that despite this expansion, information security remains the same. Simply put, it is about the prevention of a malicious actor from accessing sensitive information from a network or computer. It is also about protecting against attacks originating from within a network.

In simple terms, a person who has developed an interest in information technology and network security must undergo a series of training programs, certification exams, and practical experience in order to be a qualified practitioner. A number of security specialists can be found in many organizations today, however, and it is usually easy to find one that fits the bill. It is important to consider a number of factors when determining which security professional will suit your needs and budget.

One of the most common elements of this job description is that of security testing. Testing can include the evaluation and detection of potential threats to networks and computers and the assessment and maintenance of security measures to protect those networks. The job is not a one-off deal. The security technician's responsibility is to assess and update security systems, conduct audits, and monitor network functionality and network usage. There are no exceptions to this basic rule.

Many security professionals do not work alone, but rather under the auspices of a business. If you are looking for a reputable company to help you with the protection of your network and computer system, check to see whether it offers this type of support. There are some companies that specialize in providing security support to small companies or medium size businesses. Some others offer the service to corporate clients as well. A business that is more formal in nature will likely charge more money for its services, however the service may be worth it.

Other than testing, security professionals also provide assistance in the installation of protective software and hardware. These security professionals often work to protect networks, data and systems from external attacks and vulnerabilities. Their role is to scan and test computer networks for malicious software or devices. They also help to provide advice on information security practices that should be undertaken in conjunction with the installation of these systems.

Network monitoring and reporting are another common area of expertise in this field. The network monitoring service monitors the network and files used by the user from the network, and reports the security activities that may have taken place. Reports can be sent to management, who may then investigate the issues and decide how to resolve them. A professional network monitoring service typically provides alerting capabilities so that users can be alerted to any potential dangers in real time.

There are a number of other services that may be offered to businesses to prevent data loss. Most of these services involve the storage of network configurations on a remote server. This allows for the management of the network at a remote location. It is possible for employees to access the servers from a remote location without needing to be physically present.

Effective network security can ensure that a business remains successful and profitable, while preventing hackers and other hackers from accessing sensitive data on a daily basis. Those interested in pursuing this career should consider all aspects of the job to ensure that they get the very best out of their career.

Beyond the Programs

Let’s say your business has been hit by a ransomware attack. Your data was inaccessible, forcing you to place your business into unavoidable downtime. Only after a period of time, in which you may have lost vital business and revenue, not to mention the ongoing hit to your reputation and the trust of your clients or customers, you finally have access to your data again. All’s well that ends well? Not so much.

A disaster recovery plan would have helped you. A disaster recovery plan has five components:

• One owner

• Uses several partners throughout the company

• Easy to put into action

• Requires a multi-level approach

• Must be practiced frequently and updated often

Decide which tools and data are the most critical such as sales, code repositories, order information, and customer lists. Keep a current inventory of physical assets. Decide how and where vital business information gets backed up. The backup should run automatically, uses cloud backup, and gives every computer protection. Easy recovery is also a necessity.

You should also have a communication plan. You’ll need to notify employees and possibly work remotely; have contingencies for notifying customers and vendors. You should also educate your employees. They may not know they shouldn’t click on a link from an unknown person. Knowing they almost all have access to the internet and an email address, you should also make sure they have basic knowledge of online security.

As employees enter and leave, your cyber security training will have to be continuous. Assume you’re going to have to educate each employee, no matter what they may or may not know. You can run an exercise with a fake phishing email, or pay an outside company to do so, to see how many employees open the link. Afterward, you can speak privately to each one who fails and let them know what could have happened if that link had been a malicious piece of malware.

No matter how you do it, whether you’re a business or an individual, it’s important you do everything in your power to keep your data, servers, cloud, and personal information safe. Knowing how to do that will never be a bad idea.