Cyber security
Cyber security is the protection of computers, servers, mobile devices, networks, and data from malicious attacks.This term is used in various contexts from business to mobile computing, and can be broken down into several common categories.
Network security is the practice of protecting a computer network from hackers, whether they are attackers targeting the network or malware looking for any vulnerability you exploit.
Application security focuses on keeping software and hardware safe from threats, and hacking any application that might cause access to the data that the application was designed to protect. Successful security begins at the design stage, long before software or hardware is deployed.
Information security protects the integrity and privacy of data both when it is stored and in transit.
Operations security includes the processes and decisions regarding the handling and protection of data assets. This category includes the permissions that users have when accessing a particular network and the processes that determine how and where data is stored or shared.
Disaster recovery and business continuity define how an organization responds to a cybersecurity incident or other event that causes loss of operations or data. Disaster recovery policies define how organizations will restore their processes and information to restore the same operational capacity they had prior to the event.
The extent of the cyber threat
Global cyber threats are developing at a rapid pace, and this is accompanied by a rise in the number of data breaches every year. A shocking report from RiskBased Security revealed that a whopping 7.9 billion records were exposed to data breaches in the first nine months of 2019 alone. This number represents more than double (112%) the number of records hacked during the same period in 2018.
Medical services, retail stores and public agencies recorded the highest number of violations, and malicious attacks were behind most of these incidents. Some of these sectors attract cybercriminals more than others due to their collection of financial and medical data, but all companies that use networks can be targets for customer data, corporate espionage or customer attacks.
As the scale of the cyber threat grows, the International Data Corporation expects global spending on cybersecurity solutions to reach $133.7 billion by 2022. Governments round the world have knowledge of the growing cyber threat by providing guidance to assist organizations implement effective cybersecurity practices.
In the US, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a framework for cybersecurity. To combat the spread of malware and help in early detection of attacks, the framework recommends continuous and real-time monitoring of all electronic resources.
Why is cyber security so important?
Everyone uses advanced cyber defense software In our networked world, everyone benefits from cyber defense software.For example, on a personal level, a cybersecurity attack can cause fraud, extortion attempts, or the loss of important data like family photos. Communities rely on critical infrastructure like power plants, hospitals, and financial services companies.
Securing these and other organizations is essential to keep our community operating in a safe and natural manner.
Everyone also benefits from the work of cybersecurity researchers, for example, the Talos team of 250 researchers investigates new and emerging threats and cyber-attack strategies.
. On an individual level, a cybersecurity attack can result in many things, from identity theft to extortion attempts to the loss of important data such as family photos. Everyone depends on critical infrastructure such as power plants, hospitals, and financial services companies. Securing these and other institutions is essential to keeping our community functioning.
Everyone also benefits from the work of cyber threat researchers, such as Talos' team of 250 researchers, who research new and emerging threats and cyber attack strategies.