Let’s take a look at the topics covered in this article on cybersecurity fundamentals. Read on to learn more.
Cybersecurity Fundamentals
What is cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting information, devices, and systems from attacks. It is a constantly evolving field that centers around protecting data and systems from being compromised by hackers, viruses, malware, etc.
Cybersecurity is also an umbrella term that encompasses other terms such as cyber defense cyber warfare cyber intelligence cybersecurity operations (CSO) cybercrime cybersecurity studies
There are four main categories of security risks: confidentiality, integrity, availability, and accountability.
- Confidentiality: The unauthorized disclosure of information confidentiality refers to keeping information secret.
- Integrity: Integrity refers to the state in which data cannot be modified without authorization.
- Availability: Availability refers to the state in which data or a system is ready for use when needed.
- Accountability: Accountability refers to having evidence about who performed an action or created a result.
Why is cybersecurity important?
Cybersecurity is important for many reasons. Here are just a few.
- Accountability: Accountability is no longer only about humans; machines are making decisions and taking actions.
- Innovation: Cybersecurity is vital for innovation because it helps protect the information that drives new ideas and product development
- Safety: Cybersecurity helps ensure the safety of individuals and businesses from threats
- Reliability: Reliability is why organizations get involved in cybersecurity. They want to ensure the security of their systems, data, and customers
- Resilience: Resilience refers to the ability of a system to adapt to change and continue functioning in the face of adversity
- Efficiency: Efficiency is another reason why organizations need to have cybersecurity. They want to ensure the security of their systems, data, and customers
- Growth: Cybersecurity helps drive growth because it helps organizations achieve efficiency and resilience.
Cybersecurity Fundamentals: Best Practices
Use antivirus software.
Antivirus software is essential to protecting your computer from viruses. So, use antivirus software that is updated regularly. Also, ensure that your computer has the latest patches.
Update your systems and applications.
Update your operating system, apps, plugins, and hardware regularly. Updating your systems and applications also helps keep them current, which helps protect them from security threats.
Use secure passwords.
Use strong passwords that are fourteen characters or more in length, contain a combination of letters and numbers, don’t use a familiar word or name in the password, and are also unique to each account you have.
Avoid using common words or phrases in the password, such as: “password”, “admin”, “123456”, “qwerty”, etc. Additionally, ensure that your password isn’t something easily guessable on personal information such as your name, birth date, phone number, etc.
Use two-factor authentication (2FA).
2FA offers an extra layer of security by requiring two methods for authentication before gaining access to an account or system. 2FA typically requires a username and password along with a code generated via an app on your phone or sent via SMS (text message).
Wrapping Up
Cybersecurity is paramount to the functionality of our society, economy, and day-to-day lives. However, it’s not just something that affects companies and governments. People need to be educated on the dangers of cybersecurity. Cybersecurity can affect anyone and everyone daily.
The importance of cybersecurity is also growing with time. This is especially true in this era where we are so dependent on technology. It’s also going to be critical for people to understand what cybersecurity is and how it affects them.
