Computer security, also known as cybersecurity, prevents data loss, theft, and unauthorized access to computer systems. Serial numbers, doors and locks, and alarms are frequently used to protect computer hardware, just like other valuable or sensitive equipment. On the other hand, different, and sometimes very complicated, methods are used to protect information and system access.There are various types of cyber security.
Cyber security is a broad field with numerous subfields of study. It is divided into seven major sections, which are as follows:
1.Keeping a network secure
Most attacks occur over networks, and network security solutions are designed to detect and prevent these attacks. These solutions include data and access controls such as Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) application restrictions, Network Access Control (NAC), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Identity Access Management (IAM), and NAC for safe online use (Identity Access Management).
Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV), Sandboxing, and CDR are all cutting-edge, multi-layered approaches to network security (Content Disarm and Reconstruction). Threat hunting, network analytics, and automated SOAR are also necessary (Security Orchestration and Response).
2.Cloud Safety
As businesses increasingly rely on cloud computing, ensuring the cloud’s security becomes a top priority. An organization’s cloud deployment (applications, data, infrastructure, etc.) can be protected from attacks using cyber security solutions, controls, policies, and services.
Even though many cloud service providers provide security solutions, more is needed to establish enterprise-level security in the cloud. More third-party solutions are required to protect cloud systems from data breaches and targeted attacks.
3. Endpoint Protection
According to the zero-trust security concept, data should be stored in micro-segments wherever it is. Endpoint security with a mobile workforce is one way to accomplish this. Businesses can protect end-user devices such as desktops and laptops by employing anti-phishing and anti-ransomware techniques and forensic technologies such as endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.
4. Keeping your phone safe
Tablets and smartphones are frequently overlooked, but they can access corporate data. Companies are thus vulnerable to phishing, malicious software, zero-day vulnerabilities, and IM (Instant Messaging) attacks. Mobile security prevents these attacks while preventing operating systems and devices from being rooted or jailbroken. When used with an MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution, businesses can ensure that only mobile devices that adhere to the rules have access to company assets.
5. Internet of Things (IoT) security
IoT devices increase productivity while also making businesses vulnerable to new online threats. Threat actors seek out vulnerable devices that have been inadvertently connected to the Internet to use them for malicious purposes, such as breaking into corporate networks or joining a large botnet.
IoT security safeguards these devices by utilizing auto-segmentation to manage network activity, discovering and classifying connected devices, and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) as a virtual patch to prevent attacks on vulnerable IoT devices. Small agents can sometimes be added to the firmware of a device to protect it from exploits and attacks that occur while it is running.
6. Ensuring the security of applications
Threat actors target web apps in the same way that they target anything directly connected to the Internet. OWASP has been tracking the top ten risks to serious online application security issues, such as cross-site scripting, injection, and weak authentication, to name a few, since 2007.
Application security can prevent the OWASP Top 10 threats. Application security also prevents bot attacks and other inappropriate uses of applications and APIs. Apps will be safe even if new DevOps information is released if developers continue to learn.
7. Zero trust
The traditional approach to security focuses on the perimeter, erecting solid walls around a company’s most valuable assets. This strategy has some things that could be improved, such as the possibility of insider threats and the network perimeter collapsing quickly.
Due to the cloud and remote work, a new security plan is required as company assets leave the office. To keep specific resources safe, Zero Trust employs a combination of micro-segmentation, monitoring, and role-based access rules.
Advantages of Cyber Security
Let’s take a look at some of the ways cybersecurity can help businesses:
1.Protects sensitive personal information
Data is a valuable resource nowadays, and people want data that includes personal information. Hackers can use malware and other tools to illegally access a person’s data to steal money or harm their reputation. Because it is proactive, cybersecurity can protect users from these attacks before they occur.
2.Personal and business information security
Cybersecurity is a comprehensive security solution that can safeguard businesses and organizations against various threats. Companies, for example, must protect their trade secrets, internal communication logs, and other sensitive information, such as intellectual property (IP). Because it keeps an eye on things and detects problems early, cyber security can provide excellent protection for an organization.
3.Makes work go more quickly and efficiently
Downtime is one of the most damaging consequences of a cyber attack. Unnecessary downtime reduces productivity. A good cyber security strategy can predict when attacks will occur and how to respond to them. Only cybersecurity is capable of responding quickly. Traditional security measures must catch up.
4.A business continuity plan is in place.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are used in cyber security to create a business continuity plan. It can quickly create timeline-based prediction models by analyzing historical data with AI and statistical algorithms.
5.Increase the overall security of the organization.
Cybersecurity is the solution to all security issues that businesses and organizations face. It monitors both cyberspace threats and threats from the outside world. It is less expensive than traditional security methods because it costs less to operate.
Cyber security Importance
Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important. There are no signs that our society will become less reliant on technology. Identity theft data dumps are now openly discussed on social media sites. People now use cloud storage services such as Dropbox and Google Drive to store private information such as social security numbers, credit card numbers, and bank account information.
Everyone uses computers daily, whether they own or work for a small or large multinational corporation. When we combine this with the rise of cloud services, inadequate cloud service security, smartphones, and the Internet of Things, we have many security risks that did not exist just a few decades ago (IoT). Even though cybersecurity and information security are becoming more similar, we must still distinguish between the two.
Governments all over the world are becoming increasingly concerned about cybercrime. GDPR is an excellent example. It has made it more difficult for a company’s reputation to suffer from a data breach by requiring all businesses doing business in the EU to:
- Data breaches must be made public.
- Make an appointment with a data protection officer.
- Before using the user’s information, obtain their permission.
- Anonymizing data to protect privacy
- People are becoming more open to the public in Europe and worldwide. Even though there are no federal laws governing data breach disclosure, all 50 states in the United States have their own. They are similar in the following ways:
- The need to contact those affected as soon as possible
- Inform the government as quickly as possible.
- Pay some fine.
- California was the first state to require that people impacted by a data breach be notified “without unreasonable delay” and “as soon as it is discovered” in 2003. Companies can be fined up to $7,500 per victim, and each victim can sue for up to $750 in damages.
As a result, standards organizations such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed frameworks to assist businesses in understanding their security risks, improving their cybersecurity defenses, and preventing cyberattacks.
Cybercrime
Any illegal act involving a computer, device, or network is considered a cybercrime. Cybercrime is classified into three types: crimes involving computers, crimes in which computers are the primary target, and crimes in which computers are not the primary target but are still involved.
Here is a list of some of the most common online dangers:
Cyberterrorism: is a politically motivated attack on computers and information technology. Its goal is to harm people and cause havoc in society.
Ransomware, spyware, viruses, and worms are examples of malware. It may also make it challenging to use the resources on your computer, make your system unstable, or send data from your data storage without your knowledge.
Trojans: Like the mythical Trojan Horse, this attack dupes people into thinking they are opening a safe file. Instead, after being installed, the Trojan attacks the computer and frequently opens a back door through which hackers can enter.
Botnets: This particularly evil attack employs malware-infected devices that can be remotely controlled to launch a variety of cyberattacks. Consider it a collection of computers controlled by a single, well-organized cybercriminal. Worse, computers that have been compromised join the botnet.
Adware: is a type of malware that is extremely dangerous. It is frequently referred to as “software with advertising.” Adware is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) installed on your computer without your knowledge. It automatically displays obnoxious web advertisements.
SQL injection is a technique that can be used to attack a SQL server.
Hackers use phishing to trick people into opening fake messages, particularly emails, and following instructions that typically request personal information. Malware can be downloaded as part of a phishing scam.
In “man-in-the-middle” (MITM) attacks, hackers place themselves in the middle of an internet transaction between two people. Once inside, the hackers may be able to filter the data and extract what they desire. MITM attacks are common on unprotected public Wi-Fi networks.
In “man-in-the-middle” (MITM) attacks, hackers place themselves in the middle of an internet transaction between two people. Once inside, the hackers may be able to filter the data and extract what they desire. MITM attacks are common on insecure public Wi-Fi networks.
DoS: is a type of cyberattack in which an excessive number of “handshake” processes are sent to a network or computer, overloading the system and rendering it unable to respond to user requests.
As data breaches, hacking, and cybercrime reach new heights, businesses increasingly rely on cybersecurity professionals to identify potential threats and protect sensitive data. From 2021 to 2026, the cyber security market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%, from $217 billion to $345 billion.
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Some real-life examples of Cyber Crime
India’s worst cyberattacks in 2019
Cybercriminals have devised novel methods of attacking those they wish to harm. Cyberattacks have recently targeted India in a variety of industries and locations.
Cyberattack on the Cosmos Bank branch in Pune
An Indian cyberattack was launched against the Cosmos Bank in Pune in 2018. When hackers stole Rs. 94.42 crores from Pune’s Cosmos Cooperative Bank Ltd., it shook the entire banking industry in India.
Hackers accessed the bank’s ATM server and stole the personal information of several people who used Visa and Rupee debit cards. After being informed, hacker groups from approximately 28 different countries immediately took the money, while the cash was erased.
Breach of ATM System
An attack on Canara Bank’s ATM servers occurred in the middle of 2018. A total of 20 lakh rupees was taken from various bank accounts. According to sources, cybercriminals had access to the ATM card information of over 300 people. It was estimated that 50 people were killed. Using skimming equipment, hackers stole data from debit cardholders. The trades involving stolen information ranged in value from Rs. 10,000 to Rs.40,000.
UIDAI Aadhaar Software Hacking
The year 2018 began with a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of 1.1 billion Indians who used Aadhaar cards. According to UIDAI, information about people’s Aadhaar cards was discovered on nearly 210 Indian government websites.
The details exposed included Aadhaar, PAN, cellphone, bank account, IFSC codes, and most of the cardholders’ personal information. As if that wasn’t frightening enough, people who couldn’t be located were selling anyone’s Aadhaar information via WhatsApp for Rs. 500. You could also get Aadhaar printouts for your car for an additional Rs. 300.
Indian healthcare websites have been hacked.
A cyberattack on websites that support India’s healthcare industry occurred in 2019. According to cyber security firms in the United States, hackers broke into and took control of a significant healthcare website in India. The hacker obtained the personal information of 68 million patients and doctors.
SIM Switching Scam
In August 2018, two Navi Mumbai hackers were arrested for transferring four crore rupees from multiple bank accounts. They took money from many people’s bank accounts without their knowledge or permission. Both attackers stole SIM card information, blocked people’s SIM cards, and used fake documents to conduct online banking transactions. They also attempted to access the accounts of the businesses they were after.
People and businesses still vulnerable to cyber threats should monitor the statistics and events surrounding the most recent cyberattacks in India. Enterprises must implement cyber security measures and adhere to the security guidelines outlined below.
Cybersecurity for businesses Cyberattacks: How to Prevent Them.
- Employees should learn about new cyberattacks during security training.
- Check that all programs and systems have the most recent security updates.
- To protect your email domain from email-based cyberattacks, use email authentication tools such as DMARC, DKIM, and SPF.
- Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration tests regularly on your network and web applications to identify and resolve any issues.
- Limit the software’s capabilities and how employees can access private or sensitive data.
- Account passwords should be highly secure, and they should be changed regularly.
- It is not a good idea to share passwords in public at work.
Conclusion
To conclude, protecting our devices, networks, and data against unwanted access, use, or destruction depends on cybersecurity, a crucial component of our digital infrastructure. People and organizations must be alert and proactive in their approach to cybersecurity as cyber threats continue to evolve. We can ensure we are ready to confront the challenges of the digital age and secure our priceless digital assets by keeping up with the most recent technologies and best practices.
