Cyber Security Fundamentals

What is Cyber Security?

Cyber Security is the protection of critical systems and sensitive information from digital security threats. Cyber security can also be defined as the protection of information assets by addressing threats to information processed, stored, and transported by internet network information systems.

Why Cyber Security?

Cyber security is the response to technical advancement, the increased rate of cyber crimes, and the increased activity of business practices being performed online there’s an ever growing demand to protect this data. The presence of regional and local digital crime syndicates who create social engineering and ransomware through stolen credentials and monies also creates concern for businesses and the world at large to secure their sensitive data. On the world stage there exists cyber armies that can be identified as nation state actors and or globally based large threat actors that have vast amounts of resources and a considerable amount of time that pose threats to nations, states governments, and countries. And finally there are financial frauds that target banks, credit card industries, and retail chains to capitalize on large amounts of personal and financial data.

Information Security vs. Cyber Security

Information security refers to the process and tools designed and deployed to protect sensitive business information from modification, disruption, destruction, and inspection. Cyber security refers to a set of techniques used to protect the integrity of networks, programs, and data from attack, damage, or unauthorized access. Information security deals with information regardless of format. Information security encompasses paper documents, digital and intellectual property, and verbal and visual communication. Cyber security is a component of information security.

Factors Affecting Cyber Security

There are two main major areas that comprise of cyber security and they are technology and business. Under the area of technology it is composed of the following; platforms and tools, network connectivity, degrees of information technology complexity, new emerging security tools, and operational support for security. Under the business area the factors that affect cyber security are the nature of business, risk tolerance, industrial trends, mergers and partnerships, and finally outsourcing service providers.