Cybersecurity is an action to protect internet-connected networks, systems such as hardware, software, and data from cyber threats. It is implemented by individuals as well as enterprises to defend against unauthorized access to networks, computers, devices, applications, and data centers. Cyberattacks are made by people who aim at accessing, changing, destroying, or stealing sensitive information. The attackers usually blackmail enterprises and users via ransomware or disturb normal business processes.
How does cybersecurity work?
Nowadays, Cybersecurity is built on multiple layers of protection across all of the computers, networks, and programs used by enterprises. There are several types of cybersecurity. These types include;
- End-User Education
- Application Security
- Network Security
- Information or Data Security
- Mobil Security
- Operational Security
- Cloud Security
- Critical Infrastructure Security
- Physical Security
However, to protect your business from digital threats, the enterprise, employees, processes, and technology must be aligned to work consistently together.
Why is cybersecurity important?
We live in the age of the internet and our lives increasingly go on the digital world. We keep our photos in the cloud, most people do their governmental matters, banking, shopping even socializing digitally. So we cannot ignore cybersecurity.
For example, a security breach can expose information of entire citizens of a country if it took in a government official website or an entire of employees in an organization. For a businesswise, such breaches cause financial loss as well as the trust of customers.
What is the difference between cybersecurity and information security?
Often, there is confusion between cybersecurity and information security. Even though their principles are similar their focus and practice notably differ.
Information security refers to “data security.” in other words, it is the safeguarding of information and information systems from criminal access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction to provide confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
On the other hand, Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting digital electronic systems, including computers, servers, networks, and mobile devices, from unauthorized access and malicious threats.
What are the types of cybersecurity threats?
The well-known cybersecurity threats are:
Malware Attacks; Malware is an abbreviation of “malicious software”. It includes trojans, viruses, worms, ransomware, and spyware, and is the most common type of cyberattack.
Denial-of-Service Attack; A Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack burdens the target system with a large volume of traffic. It obstructs the ability of the system to function normally. The attack takes in multiple devices and is known as a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack.
Supply Chain Attacks; Supply chain attacks are kind of new type of threat to software developers and businesses. The attacks aim to infect valid applications and spread malware via source code, build processes, or software change mechanisms.
Social Engineering Attacks; Social engineering operates by tricking users into providing sensitive information for malware. The victim gives delicate information or sometimes unknowingly installs malware on their device. Because the criminal poses as a lawful person.
Man-in-the-Middle Attack; A Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack seizes the communication between two endpoints, such as a user and an application. The criminal can intrude on the communication, steal the data, and imitate each party participating in the communication.
Injection Attacks; Injection attacks find the vulnerabilities to directly insert malicious input into the code of a web application. Such attacks may expose sensitive information, execute a DoS attack or compromise the entire system.
Phishing Attacks; Phishing attacks trick users into clicking on malicious links or attachments. In the end, the victim gives away sensitive information such as login credentials or financial data
What are the types of cyber security tools?
Cybersecurity experts operate with several tools in their tasks. During the practice, many different features of cyber protection may need to be examined. Here are some essential tools and services that every business needs to check to make sure their cybersecurity is as strong as possible.
- Network Defence Wireless Tools
- Network Security Monitoring tools
- Encryption Tools
- Web Vulnerability Scanning tools
- Managed Detection Services
- Penetration Testing
- Antivirus Software
- Packet Sniffers
- PKI Services
- Firewall
What are the benefits of cybersecurity?
As we mentioned earlier, everybody, organizations, and businesses depend on digitalization where cybercriminals operate. Without a cybersecurity plan, you are open to cyber-attacks and fell prey to hackers.
Cybersecurity can protect your personal information. Can you imagine your banking credentials are stolen and you see your bank account empty? Cybersecurity safeguards your personal information to keep your integrity and financial tools safe.
Cybersecurity can protect your business. It allows your customers and employees to browse your website without any risk from potential threats. In other words, it protects the business’ reputation.
Cybersecurity can protect your business data. Stolen information can cost a great deal of money and time to an organization. Your data will be safe.
Cybersecurity helps to educate the workforce. By training the employees, the organizations reduce the cyber attack risks. Because the employees will be more cautious to click on malicious links or suspicious files and know the right action in case anything goes wrong.
What are the challenges of cybersecurity?
Cyber threats are constantly evolving as information technology changes and cybercriminals develop tools and techniques. In the digital world, corporate cybersecurity is most challenging for the experts. Here are some challenges that corporates face;
- Increased remote workforce
- Ransomware Evolution
- Cloud Attacks
- Phishing And Spear-Phishing Attacks
- Software Vulnerabilities
- IoT Attacks
- Insider Attacks
- Outdated Hardware
- Supply Chain Attacks
- Mobile Malware
- Attacks on APIs
- Increase of Hacktivism
What are cyber security sub-domains?
We can explain a cyber domain as the area in which computer systems and networks are used. The domains have different security approaches to safeguard each type of cyber domain. Different approaches are applied to different parts of cyber domains. Here is the list of some sub-domains;
Application security; This domain is about the management of the security lifecycle of in-house developed, hosted, or acquired software.
Frameworks and standards: This domain covers the creation and maintenance of all types of cybersecurity standards and frameworks.
Risk assessment; It is to identify and categorize the risks and provide a perception of potential consequences.
Enterprise risk management; This domain engages with the identification, vocabulary analysis, evaluation, and ranking of present and potential risks.
Threat intelligence; Threat intelligence is a data collector. It processes the data and analyzes it to comprehend a threat actor’s motives, targets, and attack behaviors.
Governance; It is a system by which an organization operates and manages IT security.
User education; This domain is the act of learning, or procuring the knowledge, values, skills, and habits of information technology users. It creates awareness of how to protect oneself and the organization in cyberspace.
What are cybersecurity careers & roles?
Cybersecurity is a fast-growing industry that requires skilled professionals. The need for cyber security jobs has increased significantly over the past few years. Here are the top cybersecurity jobs in demand;
- Chief Information Security Officer
- Cybersecurity Engineer
- Malware Analyst
- Security Architect
- Application Security Engineer
- Penetration Tester
- Cloud Security Specialist
- Incident Manager
- Database Administrator
What are the top cybersecurity certifications?
Cybersecurity certifications prove of having extensive, demonstrated knowledge of problems like hacking and cyberattacks. It also verifies an understanding of the best practices and strategies for maintaining organizational privacy and security.
Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
CompTIA Security+
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)®
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)®
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)®
GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)
Logical Operations CyberSec First Responder (CFR-410)®
Additionally, you may wish to check out the best cybersecurity certifications for penetration testers here.
