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Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting networks, systems, data, applications and IT (information technology) devices against attacks. Cyberattacks are often designed to disrupt business operations, gain unauthorized access to systems, obtain data or intellectual property, or steal/extort money from organizations. Strong cybersecurity requires a multi-layered defense that involves technologies, processes, security policies and expertise to protect organizations against attacks that can result in loss of business and reputation.

A cybersecurity program is designed to do what?

Effective cybersecurity programs are designed to identify threats and remediate them as quickly as possible. Cybersecurity technologies are designed to stop threats before they enter a network or to recognize and stop attacks in progress. Due to the sheer volume and increasing sophistication of cyberattacks, many cybersecurity programs focus on stopping attacks, as well as ensuring business continuity during attacks that successfully breach initial defenses.

Why is cybersecurity important?

Networks, applications, data and IT systems are essential to operations in every organization. As the business world becomes more interconnected, these resources become more valuable to cybercriminals and more vulnerable to cybercrime, data breaches and attacks. A strong cybersecurity program helps organizations prevent data loss (data protection), damage to reputation and a negative impact on results.

What is a cybersecurity threat?

Although the threat landscape is constantly evolving, There are categories of common cyberattack methods that continue to pose a challenge to cybersecurity programs.

•  Malware is malicious software, such as viruses, worms, or spyware, designed to steal data or damage networks and systems.

•  Ransomware attacks use a form of malware that encrypts files within a target network, allowing cybercriminals to extract a ransom before providing an encryption key that restores access to important data.

•  Phishing attacks use fraudulent emails or text messages that appear to be from a trusted source. Phishing allows attackers to gain access to data or steal money by convincing targets to reveal login credentials, account numbers, credit card information and other confidential information.

•  Insider threats are individuals, such as current or former employees, partners or suppliers, who abuse permission to access information systems or networks to steal data or mount an attack.

•  DoS (denial of service) or DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks cause failures in networks, websites or servers. A denial of service attack overwhelms a target with an overwhelming number of requests until it can no longer function as usual or continue to respond to legitimate requests.

•  APTs (advanced persistent threats) are prolonged cybersecurity attacks in which an attacker infiltrates a system and remains undetected for a long period of time to steal confidential information or spy on the activity of the target organization.

•  Machine-in-the-middle attacks are a way for hackers (attackers) to sneak into the middle of communication between two users to steal data or credentials or to pretend to be a user.

•  SQL Injection is a technique in which attackers insert malicious code into a website or app to gain unauthorized access authorized person and steal or manipulate information in a database.

•  Botnets are networks of computers infected by malware that can be controlled by a cybercriminal in order to mount large-scale attacks on a given computer system.

What are the elements or types of cybersecurity?

The security measures of a robust cybersecurity program will include technologies, processes, and policies to protect essential parts of the IT ecosystem. Are included:

•  Network security or information security defends against attacks targeting vulnerabilities and operating systems, network architecture, servers, hosts, wireless access points and network protocols.

•  Cloud security protects data, applications and infrastructure residing in public, private or hybrid clouds.

•  IoT Security (Internet of Things) is tasked with protecting thousands or millions of devices that are part of an IoT network.

•  Application security prevents attackers from exploiting vulnerabilities in software.

•  Identity and access management controls the permissions granted to individuals to access systems, applications and data.

•  Endpoint security focuses on protecting devices connected to the Internet, such as notebooks, servers and cell phones.
•  Data security solutions protect sensitive data and information assets in transit or at rest through methods such as encryption and data backups.

What are common cybersecurity challenges?

Key challenges to ensuring cybersecurity include:

•  An evolving threat landscape. Cybercriminals are constantly refining methods and inventing new ways to bypass security defenses. To protect against attacks, Organizations must always review the effectiveness of security programs and adopt new technologies to combat rapidly changing attack methods.

•  Human error. User behavior and actions are often the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain. As a result, Security awareness education should be part of any multi-layered security program.

•  Increased confidence in IT systems and cloud services. To remain competitive, Organizations are moving more resources to the cloud and relying on IT systems more than ever, increasing the size of the attack surface.

•  Remote work. An increasing number of users are working remotely or from home, increasing the risk that your connections and devices will be compromised.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Policies. As more users prefer to access a corporate network with their own notebooks and smartphones, it is more difficult for organizations to secure these devices.

What are cybersecurity best practices?

Investment in a comprehensive security solution. The most effective cybersecurity approach is a multi-layered defense that protects an organization and critical infrastructure against a wide variety of threats.

•  Implementing a Zero Trust strategy. Traditional perimeter-based defenses (such as firewalls and antivirus software) they assume that any traffic or user already within the network is trustworthy. Still, this approach is ineffective against attacks successful viruses that move laterally within a network to infect access devices and systems. A Zero Trust approach to cybersecurity assumes that any request can be compromised and requires each user, device and connection are authenticated before access is granted.

•  Implementation of strong IAM (identity and access management) technology. IAM solutions define roles and privileges access for users. Strong IAM solutions require multi-factor authentication and provide visibility into suspicious activity across endpoints.