What Is Cybersecurity?

Date First Published: 13th June 2023

Topic: Cybersecurity

Subtopic: Security Mechanisms & Technologies

Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty: Easy

Difficulty Level: 3/10

CONTENTS

Cybersecurity Threats
Cybersecurity Measures
Types Of Cybersecurity
Challenges Of Cybersecurity
Difference Between Cybersecurity and Computer Security

Learn about what a cyberattack in this article.

Cybersecurity is the practice of using measures to protect systems and networks against the unauthorised or criminal use of data and malicious attacks. Implementing and maintaining good cybersecurity measures is important for protection against cyberattacks and data breaches, compliance with regulations, an improved company reputation, protection against unauthorised access, protection against personal data, and protection for end users.

Since nearly all individuals and organisations rely on systems and networks for day-to-day tasks, it is essential to have strong cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data, information, and systems. Without any cybersecurity mechanisms or technologies, attackers could do almost any malicious tasks, including stealing sensitive information and heavily disrupting systems and networks for financial gain, political reasons, revenge, or vandalism, which would result in terrible consequences.

Cybersecurity Threats

Cybersecurity is necessary to protect systems, data, and information from threats and attacks that are targeted towards individuals and organisations. Examples of cybersecurity threats include:

Cybersecurity Measures

Strong cybersecurity measures have multiple layers of protection to defend against cyberattacks that steal sensitive information, corrupts, deletes, or destroys data, steals money from users, or overload systems with excessive requests. Examples of cybersecurity measures and technologies that protect against the threats listed above are:

Encryption
Firewalls
Antiviruses
Intrusion prevention/detection systems
VPNs
Vulnerability scanners
Two-factor authentication
Passwords
CAPTCHAs

Types Of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity comes in five main types, which include:

Network security - This involves implementing procedures to secure a computer network from unauthorised access, attacks, and internal and external threats. It consists of policies and processes adopted to protect the integrity and security of a network. It covers a wide variety of networks, including small, large, public, and private.
Information security - Also known as data security or InfoSec, this involves implementing procedures to maintain the integrity, security, and privacy of personal data and information. It covers all the tools, measures, and processes individuals and organisations use to protect against the unauthorised use of information.
Cloud security - This involves protecting information stored in cloud infrastructure from threats, cyberattacks, and unauthorised access. Cloud security is dedicated to securing cloud computing and cloud storage systems.
Mobile security - This involves protecting mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets against threats, cyberattacks, and unauthorised use. It is a type of cybersecurity dedicated to mobile devices.
Identity management - This ensures that only authorised users have access to accounts, files, or folders to keep systems and data secure. It provides control over the access level, permissions, and privileges different users have.

Challenges Of Cybersecurity

The greatest challenges that cybersecurity poses include evolving threats and lack of knowledge. As new technologies advance, new threats and vulnerabilities are being discovered. Keeping up with the latest changes, detecting zero-day vulnerabilities, and developing security mechanisms, technologies, and patches to protect against them before they can be exploited to launch cyberattacks by malicious users can be difficult. Therefore, all aspects of cybersecurity need to be continuously updated to protect against the latest vulnerabilities and bugs.

In addition, not all users are aware of cybersecurity measures and best practices. This can lead to users accidentally exposing their systems and networks to threats and attacks. For example, users might not know the risks of opening email attachments from senders they don't know or running an executable file from a website they have never heard of. Organisations can do their best to maintain security, but if individuals act insecurely, it will be a risk to the security. This requires individuals to have cybersecurity awareness training to keep organisations secure.

Difference Between Cybersecurity and Computer Security

The main difference between cybersecurity and computer security is that computer security is the practice of protecting physical computers and other assets, like updating systems and protecting them from unauthorised access, and cybersecurity is focused on protecting information in cyberspace, which includes digitally connected data stored in computers, networks, and printers.