Updated: May 07, 2024
Imagine that you are working on a task using company’s data. It’s possible that in the background, a hacker might be accessing your data without your knowledge at the same time. This data with the company’s sensitive information is sold to criminals who then blackmail the company for ransom. A situation like this could put the company’s entire existence in jeopardy. It might sound like a fiction story, but sadly it has become a common practice in today’s digital landscape.
To avoid such instances, cybersecurity is the answer. Let’s first understand cybersecurity before we talk about how it plays an essential role in this ever-evolving world.
Cybersecurity can be defined as a process that helps safeguard devices & networks from external cyber-attacks. This includes identity theft, ransomware attacks, phishing schemes & many more. Many professionals look for an option that covers a wide variety of security from mobiles and computers to networks and databases against attacks. Many organisations hire a professional system integrator like Proactive Data Systems to make cybersecurity implementation a breeze.
1. Network Security: Focuses on protecting computer networks from dangers originating from networks, such as illegal access and data breaches. Enhanced network security helps to protect your internal network from outside attacks. All the technologies including firewalls, virtual private networks (VPNs), intrusion detection systems (IDS), and network segmentation are involved.
2. Information or Data Security: Prevents unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction of sensitive information. Furthermore, it consists of data classification, access controls, encryption, and data loss prevention (DLP) techniques. The practice of quickly identifying, evaluating, and reacting to security events is known as incident response.
3. Applications Security: Shields software from bugs that could be used by an attacker. It's essential to use secure coding methods, regular software upgrades, and application-level firewalls. The majority of the apps we use on our phones are secure and compliant with rules and regulations. Many apps may appear safe, but after they have all the user's personal information, they sell it to outside parties. Therefore, make sure the application is downloaded and installed from a reputable source alone, never from an untrustworthy source that offers the APK (Android Application Package).
4. Cloud Security: Entails protecting infrastructure, data, and apps housed on cloud platforms as well as making sure that the right access controls, data security, and compliance are in place. To protect against numerous risks, it makes use of a variety of cloud service providers, including AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and others.
5. Mobile Devices Security: Protects personal and corporate data from different dangerous risks when it comes to mobile devices like tablets, cell phones, and other comparable gadgets. These dangers include malware, device theft or loss, unauthorized access, and more. For daily employment, mobile devices are very widespread. Our phones are our primary source of information and activity. For example, personal calls, online banking, UPI payments, and online classes. It's crucial to routinely backup data on mobile devices to guard against losing it in the event of theft, damage, or device malfunction.
6. Internet of Things (IoT) Security: Many times, devices are still running outdated software, which exposes them to newly discovered security flaws. Problems with connectivity or the need for end users to manually download updates from a C&C center are typically to blame for this. Internet of Things (IoT) devices—like home routers—are usually shipped by manufacturers with easily guessable passwords that may have been left in place by vendors or end users. If these devices are left open to remote access, they become simple targets for attackers who use automated scripts for mass exploitation. Since APIs provide as a gateway to a C&C center, they are often the target of threats like Man in the Middle (MITM), code injections (like SQLI), and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.
7. Critical Infrastructure Security: Refers to all the systems, networks, and physical and virtual resources required for a society's security, economy, or any combination of these to function well. Transportation networks and the food and agriculture sectors make up essential infrastructure.
8. Endpoint Security: Secures individual devices such as computers, laptops, smartphones, and IoT devices. It consists of frequent software updates, device encryption, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and antivirus software. Malicious software, including viruses, worms, trojans, and ransomware, can be found and scanned by antivirus and anti-malware software. These programs discover and remove or quarantine dangerous files, safeguarding the endpoint and the network from potential harm. An integral part of endpoint security are firewalls. They filter out potentially harmful data packets while keeping an eye on and managing all incoming and outgoing network traffic.
Although essential infrastructure is universal since it is necessary for all countries to meet their basic needs for survival, the infrastructure that is deemed significant may differ based on a nation's needs, resources, and degree of development.
Protecting our digital assets, such as private and sensitive financial data, intellectual property, and vital infrastructure, requires cybersecurity. Cyberattacks may have detrimental effects on one's finances, reputation, or even physical health.
These are only some of the numerous advantages of cybersecurity. Here are a few of the many benefits of cybersecurity:
Protects against potentially catastrophic disruptions caused by cyberattacks
Reduces the risk of violating mandatory security violations
Decreases the risk of data and third-party breaches significantly
Anmol Rawat Marketing Manager
A passionate storyteller by day and a dreamy wanderer by night, I weave words into experiences, always chasing the next great story.
