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What Is Cybersecurity? Agree Privacy Most Marked Down Of 3 CIA Triad

How do you protect critical systems, networks, devices, data, programs, sensitive information from digital attacks of access, change, or destruction? Which is the best multi-layered cybersecurity approach to prevent, detect, and respond to cyberattacks that infect individuals, organizations, communities, and the nation? Which of the 3 in the CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) triad gets overlooked the most in InfoSec model? Don’t you agree its privacy? Read further.

What are the Most Important Cyber Security Questions? How to Minimize Unauthorized Access

What types of cybersecurity threats are most common?

I invite you to join me in this article, as we attempt to answer challenging cybersecurity questions. What is all the fuss about cyber security? How do various sources categorize these toxic threats?

which of the 3 in the CIA triad get overlooked the most in cybersecurity?

Similarly, what common advice can you find across different resources to prevent cyber attacks and insider threats? Which is the best definition? What sorts of InfoSec search terms might you use to find more resources?

Learn Social Media Bullying Smackdown! Why Is Bullying A Social Issue? Its Prevention


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What is cybersecurity definition?

Take your mind off cybersecurity squabbles - When did you experience joy this week

In the light of all the buzz surrounding internet safety, this mind-boggling topic is constantly changing and growing enormously. Because more and more of our business and social lives are online, it is time you decide to take a more keen interest on cyber safety.

This blog post is a rich resource for security professionals, adversarial simulators (pentesters), as well as web security enthusiasts.

With this in mind, let’s first define cybersecurity, also termed as information technology security or cyber security, or InfoSec.

Common descriptions

  • Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting critical systems and sensitive information from digital attacks. (Source: IBM)
  • Information security is the practice of managing access to information. It is inclusive of securing information from unauthorized access, or verifying the identity of those claiming to have authority to access information (Source: Statista)
  • It is the protection from all the cyberthreats (Source: Ciso)
  • Cybersecurity is the art of protecting networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use and the practice of ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information (Source: CISA)
  • It is the prudent process of preventing cyberattacks by assuming a hacker’s mindset (Source: Upguard)
  • Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and program from digital attacks (Source: Cisco)

Note how the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) defines cybersecurity. Click here for a complete cybersecurity description with wider scope by the official website of the department of Homeland Security.

Consumers perspective of cyber safety

63 percent increase in cyber-attacks were related to the COVID 19 pandemic ISSA and ESG survey
Source: ISSA and ESG survey

As a consumer what is your primary concern on InfoSec? It is quite basic. Who wants anything else as long as there is protection from harmful or malicious intrusion by:

  1. Use of passwords to control access to computer hardware?
  2. The use of firewalls and anti-virus software to protect desktop computers and other electronic consumer devices?

Therefore, what is the scope of a CyberSec expert? The work of a cyber security expert is technically difficult. It requires a bachelor’s degree in cyber security, computer science or information technology.

Hold that line of thought. We will explore this further shortly.

At firm level, to reduce cyber security risk, what is expected of a cyber security guru? Ever noted how complicated a rigorous information security audit gets?

Complexity of enterprise information security

What’s the fact?

Enterprise IT is complex because of multiple products. It covers …

reliance on software, hardware, and information management policies to secure corporate data

telecommunications equipment,

computers,

servers,

routers, and

other electronic systems.

Subscribe to ThExtraordinariOnly Substack newsletter for brazen business strategies to thrive and success.

cybersecurity may be complex
YUJ Designs

Thus, the definition of information technology threats and risks differs, depending on what side you are on. But, is protection from electronic crime and hacks the primary purpose of all safety-related practices, techniques, and ways?

Top 3 enterprise cybersecurity vendors

Headquarters of majority of the top enterprise cybersecurity companies are in the United States. Only two are located in Great Britain. All these is according to The Enterprise Cybersecurity Adoption Report 2021.

The leading enterprise cybersecurity vendors as of December 2020 are:

  1. Cisco with 42 % customer adoption
  2. Microsoft – 35 %
  3. Palo Alto Networks – 32 percent customer adoption

Only three companies have a 5-star-rating on overall satisfaction, i.e., CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, and Sophos.

Source: The Enterprise Cybersecurity Adoption Report 2021.

Top 10 enterprise cybersecurity companies by  IoT Analytics latest cybersecurity research
IoT Analytics latest cybersecurity research

A few cybersecurity comparisons

Cybersecurity v information technology

As a matter of fact, cybersecurity protects electronic devices and mobile devices against attacks and threats in cyberspace. However, information security protects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, commonly known as the CIA triad. Thus, InfoSec protects data from threats.

We will discuss this CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) triad in a few minutes.

Let’s first get out all a couple of other cybersecurity comparisons out of the way.

Cybersecurity vs cyber security

What exactly is cybersecurity - let us find out

Mostly used in the academic world, “Cybersecurity” refers to the protection of the people from these cybercrimes. Is there a difference with cyber security?

“Cyber Security,” coined in late 1990s, is mostly used in public media. It refers to the protection of devices, government agencies, and corporations from malicious cyber activities. These include hacks, viruses, network attacks, and other cybercrimes.

IT security vs cybersecurity

Most institutions of higher learning provide an information security degree to enhance professionals both in IT security and cybersecurity fields.

What is the reason for combining both of this fields?

the value of cybersecurity market
The value of the cybersecurity market is estimated to cross $400 billion by 2027 (Global Market Insights)

It is addressing the current need in the market place where both an IT security professional and a cyber security professional are no longer employed by a company.

The market has seen downsizing for these roles despite a slight difference in the skill set.

Cybersecurity vs computer science

Cybersecurity is technically a subsection of computer science. In comparison, the field of study centered on computer technology, hardware, and software is known as computer science. It deals with computational systems and theories, computer design, development, numerical analysis, graphics, and software engineering.

You need a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related program to work in cybersecurity such as computer science, information technology, and computer engineering.

the Bureau of Labor Statistics

The top job positions in cybersecurity positions include:

Security analyst
A security engineer
Security architect
Security software developer
Chief security officer
Cyber intelligence specialist
IT security architect

Computer science related jobs include:

Software engineer
Web designer
A web developer
Data analyst
Game designer
Application analyst
Database administrator
IT consultant

Statistics and Facts

According to Statista’s Technology Markets (Cybersecurity Worldwide), the cybersecurity market revenue is projected to reach US$131,821m in 2021.

The computer science market is projected to grow 15% from 2019 to 2029
Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • In the 24 months, 30% of companies worldwide will experience a data breach (IBM’s “Cost of a Data Breach Report 2020.”)
  • IT services is the market’s largest segment, with a projected market volume of US$61,450m in 2021
  • Worldwide in 2020, the average cost of a breach was $3.86 million
  • The resulting market volume is at US$209,697m by 2026 because revenue expectation are projected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2021-2026) of 9.73%
  • The average cost of a data breach in the U.S. alone is $8.64 million
  • Most revenue in 2021 (US$54,460m) will be generated in the United States, as per a global comparison.
  • in 2018, 67% of small businesses were victims of a cyber attack, while 58% experienced a data breach

What is the purpose of cybersecurity?

At its core, cybersecurity has a driving purpose.

You already know what it is.

  1. To identify cyber threats in an organization
  2. Calculate the risk related to those threats
  3. Handle identified threats appropriately

If this is the primary purpose, what is involved?

What does cyber security involve?

Cyber security involves the process of preventing cyberattacks by assuming a hacker’s mindset. A combination of different skills and tools are used to provide a secure environment for users via networks and information security mechanisms, such as data security, digital forensics, ethical hacking.

Cyber security does what?

Now that we are harmed with information on the differences between some of the similar cyber related terms, we can now identity what cyber security exactly does.

Cyber security frequently carries out a security risk audits. Other activities include:

  • Routine maintenance
  • Designing and implementing security measures
  • Proving suggestions to improve the security system
  • Properly configuring and regularly updating security software
  • Granting appropriate access privileges for advanced system protection
  • Informing the organization about the consequences of malicious attacks

Federal government cyber security programs

Government cyber security tackles:

  1. Hackers stealing vital data and money.
  2. Cyber terrorists using corrosive cyberattacks to disrupt services and attack important organizations.
  3. Cybercriminals stealing money and personal information through phishing and other cybercrimes.

It is much more than the cool hackers we watch on the latest trending movies infiltrating Russian Mafia. 😎The real cyber security job is incredibly important. We will see why much later.

It covers much more than tech-savvy pros embarking on a covert mission to save the day from behind computer screens.

This is one of the biggest things the rest of the world doesn’t understand about hackers

National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS)

NICCS is the official website of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Its a guide to the sensational security of corporate, private, municipal, state and federal information networks.

What is cyber policy, law and regulation example?

Some activities constitute an administrative or criminal offence like:

  • Possession or use of hardware, software, or other tools to commit a cyber attack.
  • Using password cracking technique to gain access to a system is one example.

The federal government is constantly curating and updating cyber policies and laws to keep people safe from cybercrimes. Government agencies and organizations are forced to move with speed to ensure implementation of up-to-date cyber law and policy.

Ever experienced any activities that adversely affect or threaten the security, confidentiality, integrity or availability of any IT system, infrastructure, communication system. network, device, or data?

List of Interrelated cyber security programs at federal level

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • The National Security Agency (NSA)
  • Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
  • The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
  • Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
  • The Organization of American States (OAS)
  • National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
  • Global Cyber Alliance (GCA)
  • Secret Service Field Office
  • The Carnegie Endowment
  • FIDO Alliance

Why is cybersecurity important?

cyber security rocks spam sucks privacy is cool

Cybersecurity affects every piece of technology in an organization: mobile phones, servers, and even services like industrial control systems.

Cyber crimes cost many businesses millions of dollars every year, as well as industrial, economic, and corporate espionage. Cybersecurity checks are needed by businesses, entrepreneurs and internet users to protect themselves against spread of computer viruses, online bullying, unauthorized electronic fund transfers, patent trolls, exposure of trade secrets, intellectual property, etc.

Although most cybercrime hacks are committed through the internet, some are carried out using Mobile phones via SMS or online chatting applications.

Pin with us on our perspicacious Pinterest board: Cybersecurity rocks, spam such, privacy is cool


15 basic cybersecurity terms

Can you think of a word that has changed over the years? On the internet, don’t words and symbols change meaning almost daily? Cybersecurity and its related terms is no exception because of the tinnitus tempo of technology.

The following chill cybersecurity terms have evolved in meanings have evolved and changed a great deal over the years. Would you mind joining me in looking at the current state of these labels?

Distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attack

Its the use of computers in multiple locations to attack servers with a view of shutting them down.

Cybersecurity information

Cybersecurity involves preventing, detecting, and responding to cyberattacks. It cover all cyber threats that can affect individuals, organizations, communities, and the nation.

Identity theft and fraud

Identity theft and fraud covers stealing someone’s personal information and impersonating them.

Social Engineering

By contrast, ‘Any act that influences a person to take an action that may or may not be in their best interest’ is social engineering (Christopher Hadnagy).

Imagine, even the most robust security personnel can be fooled. How you recognize, predict, and prevent the most common manipulative social engineering techniques?

How to recognize, predict, and prevent manipulation by taking you inside the social engineer's bag of tricks by renowned expert Christopher Hadna

Read the Kindle format of the renowned expert Christopher Hadnagy’s book Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing, 2018. He takes you inside the social engineer’s bag of tricks.

Spear fishing is phishing attack that requires some form of due diligence. The targets could be one person or a small group of people.

Digital forensics

The term “digital forensics” was as a synonym for computer forensics. Nevertheless, it has now expanded to cover information analysis on any device that can store digital data.

Digital forensic is the field of forensic science concerned with retrieving, storing and analyzing electronic data. The process of uncovering and interpreting electronic data and preserving the evidence in the most original form. This information can be useful in criminal investigations.

Anti-forensics technique

The anti-forensics technique where digital forensics experts use forensic tools to collect evidence against criminals, while at the same time criminals use the same tools to conceal, modify, or remove traces of their criminal activity is one of the key issues facing digital forensics faces.

Zero-day attacks

A zero-day exploit is a software vulnerability discovered by attackers before the vendors become aware of it. It is a nightmare for a developer considering the fact that hackers run amok damaging critical software and systems before a solution (patch) is found.

For this reason. “zero-day” refers to developers having “zero days” to fix the exposed problem that could have been exploited by hackers already.

Stuxnet

Stuxnet, infectious self-replicating computer worm, was originally aimed at Iran’s nuclear plants. Online research reveals that this type of zero-day vulnerability has since mutated and spread to other industrial and energy-producing facilities.

Scam-baiting

The practice of eliciting attention from the perpetrator of a scam by feigning interest in whatever bogus deal is offered.

Electronic theft

It could either be electronic funds transfer by gaining an un-authorized access to bank computer networks and making illegal fund transfers or using the computer to launder money. The latter is referred to a electronic money laundering.

Ethical hacking

This is the accessing of a computer system with the written permission of the owner of that system to check for vulnerabilities and set up a cybersecurity information mechanism. Ethical hacking puts experienced cybersecurity experts a step ahead of the cyber criminals who would otherwise lead to loss of data which would consequently lead to loss of business.

41% of small businesses spend more than $50,000 to recover from a data breach.

– Entrepreneur

The goal of a ethical hacker is to identify weaknesses and inform hardware or software vendors, then improve the security of computer systems and/or computer networks legally.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware from cryptovirology whose threat publishes the victim’s personal data or perpetually block access to it unless a ransom is paid.

Wikipedia

Ransomware attackers hit large companies, organizations, or government agencies, and individuals alike. The attacker locks and encrypts the victim’s data, important files and hold a victim’s information and demands a payment.

Kill chains

Aside from the 2019 American neo-noir action thriller film written and directed by Ken Sanzel, Wikipedia gives the following definition.

The term kill chain is a military concept related to the structure of an attack.

This definition continues to state that “kill chain” consists of the following:

  • Target identification
  • Force dispatch to target
  • Decision and order to attack the target
  • The destruction of the target.

… Conversely, the idea of “breaking” an opponent’s kill chain is a method of defense or preemptive action”

Since its inception by Lockheed Martin, the cyber kill chain anticipates and recognizes insider threats, social engineering, advanced ransomware, and innovative attacks.

Phishing

Committing the crime of deceiving people into sharing sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers is phishing. Successful phishing messages are difficult to distinguish from real messages.

The practice of sending fraudulent communications that appear to come from a reputable source by email is the most prevalent social engineering practice.

Spoofing

Spoofing is when someone disguises an email address, sender name, phone number, or website URL—often just by changing one letter, symbol, or number—to convince you that you are interacting with a trusted source.

Scams and safety (FBI)

Malware

Can you define malware? Isn’t sad to read statistics like this: “Only 65 percent of respondents knew the correct meaning of the term malware?” Protecting against malware is a multi-billion-dollar market. However, what is it?

current cybersecurity and cybercrime stats
Av-Test

Malware (a portmanteau for malicious software) is any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network

Source: Wikipedia

This is a catch-all term for any type of malicious software that is designed to harm or exploit any programmable device or network. The root of most cyberattacks, its used by cybercriminals to extract data.

Vishing

Vishing (voice & phishing) is a type of voice call fraud where scammers use social engineering to get their victims to share personal details and financial information. A 2020 cybersecurity survey revealed that only 30 percent of working adults knew what the cybersecurity term vishing mean

Cracking

Its gaining entry to a safe without the use of the combination or a key. The term has continued to evolve. A malicious meddler who tries to discover sensitive information by poking around is a cracker. The badass coders who break into systems are today referred to a black hat while hackers (white hat) are the good people who try to keep the crackers out and stop their attacks.

Therefore, this leads us the term ‘hacking.’

Hacking

When you run a Google search, you will discover an article in the NewYourker titled ‘the short history of “hack.”‘ I have attached the link to the article below on the list of sources used in developing this article.

In a very short summary, the post states that hacking started out in M.I.T in the 1950s. Originally, it meant to deal with a technical problem in a composed and creative way without following a manual and with no negative nuance.

Even thought merriam-webster dictionary defines hack as – ‘to cut or sever with repeated irregular or unskillful blows,’ today, startup company marketers desperately want to “growth hack.”

Related reading: https://thextraordinarionly.blogspot.com/2021/02/9-simple-small-business-growth-hacking.html

For the purposes of keeping in line with the cybersecurity topic for this blog post, hacking is an attempt to exploit a personal account, digital devices systems, such as computers, smartphones, tablets or or a private network inside a computer with unauthorized access.

6 top-most types of hacking

In the cyber space, it is vital to understand and distinguish hackers, their responsibilities, and objectives. Which ones do you know?

Hacktivist

Have you seen hacker who uses hacking to send social, religious, and political, etc. messages?

Name one.

They hijack websites and leave the message on the hijacked website.

White Hat

Hacking quote by security expert and former computer hacker Michael Calce also known as MafiaBoy
Hacking quote by security expert and former computer hacker Michael Calce also known as MafiaBoy

White hat hackers are the good hackers who engage in ethical hacking. When cybercriminals step up their game, white hackers come to the rescue, exposing serious flags and protecting personal information and systems that contain them. These friendly hackers help to uncover hidden security breaches through penetration testing.

In white hat, hackers break into company, agency or government system as a test of their digital weaknesses that individuals could exploit. White hat hackers start off as bug bounty hunters, finding exposed exploits in strikingly spectacular systems and websites for a bounty from the firms operating them.

Many bounty hunters may continue to solving these problems by looking for suitable solutions for bugs. It is not surprising that most of them get picked up by digital companies, government agencies, or large enterprises to work as a ‘security consultants’.

Black Hat

Black hat hackers are the stereotypical bad people. They access digital information or accounts, which are not theirs, committing these crimes for pranks or to embarrass users.

Their main stay is data breaches, distributed denial of service attacks, and theft of financial information. Some hackers of this nature steal money. Often than not, its its personal information, it can be sold for a great bargain on the darknet.

Gray Hat

Quote on never sell your liberty for false security with your enemy

For instance, when a gray hat hacker breaks into a government agency’s computer system and then messages them the details about weaknesses in their network, its deemed neither white hat nor black hats. but somewhere in the middle. They have committed a crime by breaking into the system in the first place, but they used the information to help out the government agency.

Phreaker

A hacker who identifies and exploits weaknesses in telephones instead of computers is a phreaker,

Script kiddies

A script kiddie is non-skilled, but gains access to computer systems using already made tools any way.

The term ‘hacker’ is a general umbrella for individuals who gain access to a computer vulnerabilities and exploits of the system. It is possible to find a way into a complex system through one way or another owing to the open-ended nature of code and many programming languages. Big tech lead the way.

The David and Goliath game has no end in sight as big companies with large financial muscles go up against an individual or group of hackers. As the enterprises struggle to fix the security holes pointed out by the hackers, the hacker venture out to the next big exploit of pretty dear paydays.

How Big Tech Contributes to Open Source
GitHub contributors by employer

A thin ideological line separated black hat and white hat hacker. The ever-growing battle of higher stakes continues as a cat-and-mouse game.

Next step

Still here?

Now it is your turn. Do a research and define green hat, blue hat and red hat hackers. Share your outcome in the comment section.

What is the difference between bounty hunters, hackers or online criminals?

what is the difference between bounty hunters, hackers, and online criminals by Jack Rhysider

There’s a legal difference, that’s for sure. If you invite someone to allow them to hack your stuff, you’re giving them explicit permission. That’s very different than somebody coming in and saying, ‘I’m just going to hack your stuff.’

Get the complete difference from Jack Rhysider’s hacker stories from the internet darknet diaries on YouTube

What’s the field all about?

The complex cybersecurity is wide. It covers both the ethical behavior that prevents unethical penetration, access, and illegal use of data points. Most people who work in this field earn at least a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a similar field.

Other two main job titles in the field

The smooth operation of businesses and industries of all types and sizes depends on a “security analyst” and “security engineer.” They all stay up to date on new information technologies and apply those innovations in the company’s security standards and best practices.

Both must understand cyber-security defense and offense engagements since they work hand in hand to secure their employers environments against potential threats and attacks.

Is there any remarkable difference of security analysts from security engineers?

Take a peek.

A security engineer frequently finds new ways to defeat criminals’ attempts to gain unauthorized access to a company’s computer systems and networks.

They also:

  • Schedule computer and network security upgrades
  • Test hardware and software related to upgrades
  • Respond to intrusions with computer forensics expertise
  • Address technical problems related to applications and production equipment
  • Anticipate future problem areas, monitoring workflows and network traffic patterns
  • Design and implement multilevel security strategies which protect networks and data resources

A security analyst gains a thorough understanding of a firm’s security requirements by working directly with people throughout the organization. The resultant effect is successful data security initiatives. These information security analysts:

  • Monitor networks and computer systems to prevent, detect, and investigate security breaches.
  • Install and manage firewalls, data encryption programs, and other software to protect data resources
  • ensure the company’s networks are free of bugs that malware authors can take advantage of by penetration testing
  • Assist staff members when they need help with security products and processes.

InfoSec taskforce salary

The average spend per employee  is projected to reach US$38.61 in 2021.

information security professionals physically secure data points from unauthorized access. They are tasked with implementing access controls. As of 2021, the top three areas for cybersecurity personnel deficiency within organizations were discovered to be:

  • Application security
  • Cloud computing security
  • Security analysis and investigations

(Source: Global cybersecurity professionals survey)

What is cyber security job?

Do you like to evolve your skills at the speed of technology? Information technology and cyber security are two of the most in-demand careers for you. The reason being the offer that ideal platform for the best combination of both technical ability and problem-solving skills up to government level.

A variety of jobs are available in the cyber safety field including information systems security professional, system administrator, and system manager.

Cyber security professionals protect computer systems and networks from bad actors who disrupt services or steal sensitive information. In the United States (2020), professionals working in the cyber security industry were an estimate of 879,157. Notably, highly populated countries like Brazil and Mexico too had large cybersecurity workforce of 626,650 and 421,750 respectively.

Cybersecurity vs Information Assurance

Are cyber security and information assurance two separate fields? Do you believe that both terms have the same meaning? Pop culture gets the two mixed up.

Let’s have a look at a sample of similarities.

Some similarities

  1. Both fields have a physical security component to their scope. In the old days, physical records of sensitive information needed to be protected by the information assurance managers. Today, the computers, server rooms and entire buildings containing digital information. Who has the responsibility to guard them? Both experts. They determine whoever has access to the places using digital ID verification, and also by information assurance managers.
  2. Both fields value data. Data held by an organization is prioritized based on its level of importance. The most important data attracts complicated layers of security and firewalls. On the other hand, the less important information has less stringent security measures.

Major differences

Information assurance

Cybersecurity

On the one hand, Information assurance is focused on risk management, studying cases of past attacks and coming up with new guidelines to keep information secure.

Also, information assurance managers and analysts conduct regular security audits. They bring every member of the organization up-to-date on the company policies with reference to information sharing.

Cybersecurity deals with primarily preventing virus infection and setting up stronger network architecture.

A cybersecurity expert, on the other hand, focuses on improving the programs used by members of the organization. He/she is the policeman/woman who ensures greater information security.

Established Profession

Would you guess the established profession before existence of the internet? Information assurance.

The job of an Information assurance manager includes, but is not limited to, cybersecurity.

Thus, more strategic. It deals with the creation of policies for keeping information secure. On the contrary, cybersecurity is practical. Setting up antivirus software and network infrastructure for keeping digital information safe is the reality.

Poor IT security dangers

What online interface do you use to secure your online environment

When poor security practices put your information in the hands of some shady people, it could be very expensive to retrieve it back.

Are all your bases covered? Are you aware of data security issues that human resource leaders of information technology should pay close attention to?

Poor password management remains a top threat to data security

Pew Research Center

Unsecured wireless network

Is your wireless network at your business or home secured? If not unauthorized individuals can hijacking wireless networks. Instead, do not broadcast your SSSID. set up a router or wireless access point to secure and hide your Wi-Fi network. Use super strong password to remain encrypted, secure, and hidden.

Failure to backup data

What if your devices are stolen, lost or compromised? You will lose important information. Rather, create periodical backups on external hard drives.

SDGs and cybersecurity initiatives

Advantages of cybersecurity

Benefits of cybersecurity include:

  • It protects end-users
  • Prevention of unauthorized users
  • Great defense for data and networks
  • Increased recovery time after a breach
  • Protection of a business against ransomware, malware, social engineering, and phishing.

Cyber security risks

What is cybersecurity risk? There are many information technology security dangers. Some more serious than others. Either a single system, an email account, a group of systems, a LAN network, a website. or social media sites can be compromised.

Among these dangers are

  • An attacker stealing your credit card information and making unauthorized purchases
  • Attackers breaking into your system and altering files
  • An attacker using your computer to attack others
  • A malware erasing your entire system

Can any cyber-safety company guarantee that, even with the best precautions, some of these things won’t happen to you? A resounding NO.

Shortly, we will look at the steps to take to minimize the chances.

evolution of reCAPTCHA as a cybersecurity hack for website
Evolution of reCAPTCHA – the simplest cybersecurity hack for websites (Google)

Top 9 types of cyber security worth noting

There are a lot many other online security tools available that can help in eliminating the risk. Some are Aircrack-ng, Touch Manager, and MailControl

  1. Data Protection
  2. Network Protection
  3. Endpoint Protection
  4. Prevention of data loss
  5. Data Breach Prevention
  6. Data Leakage Prevention
  7. Network Intrusion Detection
  8. reCAPTCHA = “Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart”

Types of cyber attacks

Cybersecurity deals with the prevention of:

  • Spyware injections
  • Social media compromises
  • Unsolicited penetration testing
  • Ransomware attacks or infection of IT systems with malware
  • Distribution, sale, offer for sale of hardware, software, or other tools to commit cyber crime
When was the last time you did a website security check

Connection between cybersecurity and mental health

Our mental state affects our behavior. The impacts on the way we perceive and process information is undeniable. What is the link to cybersecurity?

The culprit: social engineering.

Additional information on how to improve your health is found in this book review.

Social engineering

Can you detect a simple social engineering attack (say, phishing email)?

Email phishing

Email phishing is the most common type of social engineering attack.

In this method, sensitive details are extracted by way of human manipulation. In addition to the above, the instance scammers look up their target’s social media accounts and use information gleaned from job history. relationship status, photos, places lived, birthdates, o other public information, if gives they can use to give credibility to the scam, This is what is knows as spear fishing.

Protection from cyber attacks

Day in and day out we read cases from businesses experiencing some form of a cyber attack.

Australian Cyber Security Centre report reveals ransomware incidents up 15% as cybercrime losses hit $33bn

A proper business information security should cover protection from internal as well as external Cyber threats.

10 elements of business cyber security
(Credit: Centric)

Things to do to improve your cybersecurity

The CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) triad is a widely used information security model. Why? It can guide an organization’s efforts and policies to keep its data very secure.

This practice of reducing cyber risk is not to be confused with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. The initials of the CIA triad stand for the three foundational principles on which InfoSec model rests:

Confidentiality

Only authorized users and processes should be able to access or modify data

Integrity

Data should be maintained in a correct state and nobody should be able to improperly modify it, either accidentally or maliciously

Availability

Authorized users should be able to access data whenever they need to do so.

Let’s look at the relationship between AI and cyber security.

Smarter cybersecurity by Artificial Intelligence (AI)

64% of companies are currently looking into the deployment of Artificial Intelligence /Machine Learning-based security solutions.

Source: IoT Analytics, Latest cybersecurity research

Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), threat intelligence helps ‘under-resourced’ security operations analysts stay ahead of threats by providing rapid insights to cut through the noise of daily alerts, drastically reducing response times.

How essential are AI and ML to information security? Cybersecurity is one of the multiple uses of artificial intelligence as it identifies and prioritizes risks. Thereafter, AI instantly spots any malware on the network to guide cybersecurity incident response.

Cognitive security analytics

IBM’s Cognitive computing with WATSON, combines the strengths of AI, human intelligence, and deep-learning networks that get stronger and smarter over time. “QRadar consolidates log events and network flow data from thousands of devices, endpoints and applications, correlating them into single alerts,” reads the IBM QRadar Advisor with Watson brief.

How about the SDGs? We look at Weforum as an example.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cybersecurity priorities

To achieve the SDGs, we must address challenges like universal internet access, cybersecurity and the proliferation of e-waste

– the World Economic Forum

quote by Edward Bliss - Pursue excellence not perfection

The World Economic Forum’s Centre for Cybersecurity key three priorities are:

  • Understanding future networks and technology in relation to the fourth industrial revolution
  • Increasing global cooperation between public and private stakeholders
  • Enhancing cyber resilience with forward-looking solutions and effective practices across digital ecosystems

To reinforce the importance of cybersecurity, bridging the gap between cybersecurity experts and decision makers at the highest levels is Weforum’s key strategic preference.

Learning more about information technology security risks and threats

How can you better understand cybersecurity?

Community involvement offers you a platform to ‘lam-ban’-o‘ (get a hold of) real time insights, trends, statistics, and facts n security in the cyber niche.

Next, signing up for newsletters and alerts is one of the best ways. Use these top notch feeds with up-to-date resources.

Follow thought leaders

Do you keep up to date with the top 50 women in tech influencers? These is a phenomenal example of amazing female influencers changing the tech business.

This list of the top Women in Tech compiled from social media for a daily dose of inspiration has been running for the last two years since 2020.

Which of the incredible Women in Tech influencers do you follow?

Brian Krebs quote on if you give a data point to a company
Brian Krebs quote on electronic information security … if you give a data point to a company

Cybersecurity blogs

  • FireEye site contains information on threats, stories from the industry, and other valuable cybersecurity articles.
  • Krebs on Security: Written by security expert Brian Krebs. This site provides a lot of informative articles on current threats and notable cybersecurity trends.
  • Threatpost site with latest articles on exploitation of cyber vulnerabilities and threats.

Cybersecurity podcasts

Darknet Diaries, created by Jack Rhysider. It’s the most popular cyber security podcast that investigates real-life stories of hackers and other security events over the years.

Security Now hosted by Leo Laporte and Steve Gibson, delves deeply into the headlines of the week related to cybersecurity. Are you keen on keeping up with the latest vulnerabilities, exploits, and threats in InfoSec? This is a very great resource to use.

Threat feeds

  • Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) site provides alerts on critical vulnerabilities and other information related to cybersecurity.
  • SANS Internet Storm Center: Get updates on security vulnerabilities and blog posts on various security topics.
  • InfraGard program provides national and state organizations with threat intelligence. There provide other services as well, including training.

Government resources

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Computer Security Resource Center is a fantastic place to find articles and other information on how to secure your systems at home or work.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a government agency charged with providing guidance on cybersecurity and infrastructure security. The site contains lots of resources and bulletins on security practices and threats.

National Institute for Cybersecurity Education (NICE). A part of NIST, this group provides educational resources related to cybersecurity, including challenges and training courses for middle and high school students.

Additional resources

Wrapping it all up on cybersecurity

You no longer have an excuse on being misinformed about cybersecurity hazards, the loss of business due to poor InfoSec operations, the most important question that matter out of the maze and how to minimize unauthorized access. We have also seen how the free reCAPTCHA is such a cheap cybersecurity hack for sites.

From the information security glossaries, what surprised you? Is it clear to you that cyber security and cybersecurity are used interchangeably and thereby misinforming the public?

Go ahead and share your insight in the comment section below.

Photos courtesy of …

  • Archive: https://archive.org/
  • Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/

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