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Cybersecurity 101

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Sadia Khan
Cybersecurity 101

Today, many big and small businesses are at the risk of cyber-attacks due to excessive use of internet-based applications and devices. Internet experts have estimated that an increase in cybercrimes will cost around $6 trillion by the year 2021. It is observed that many companies fail to implement cyber-security measures beforehand and act only at the time of ransomware attack and data breach, resulting in putting millions worth of data vulnerable and easy to hack.

Therefore, to protect your data from such cyber-attacks, we will discuss the significance of cyber-security, its certification courses, and prevention methods in the following article.   

What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity refers to measures taken to protect data, networks, programs, and devices from malware, hackers, data theft, and illegal access to the system. Companies should take cybersecurity measures seriously to protect sensitive data and network from the cyber-threats as well as employees.

If the valuable data is accessible to everyone then that data is not confidential and can be viewed by an unauthorized person. If the confidential and valuable data is available to everyone then the data is not secured.

Probity, on the other hand, means only an authorized person can change or delete valuable information. For example, if anyone other than an accountant can view the accounts system, then they can also modify their account data like giving themselves a raise. And finally, making data available to those who can easily see it without altering it. If an error occurs in the account, then the only accountant can rectify it and not the users.

Why is Cybersecurity important for your business?

It’s common knowledge that cyber criminals work to steal or disrupt personal information by gaining access via the internet into computer systems and smartphones. Now and then, we hear news of data breaches or hackers demanding money to release certain company’s valuable information.  Therefore, to stop these threats, every company and organization should implement cyber-security measures to safeguard their data, personal credentials, company’s confidential information, and systems from being stolen, breached, and disrupted by cyber-criminals.

Since we have covered most of why cyber-security plays such an important part in today’s technologically advanced society, let’s discuss the problems faced by countries, companies, and individuals due to cyber-attacks and their types in details, also we will discuss what the future of cyber-security in our society holds.

The Following are some of the very well-known types of cyber-attacks that can destroy and damage business systems.

Malware

Malware is a harmful file or program that cyber-criminals use to vandalize systems. Malware is often sent by cybercriminals through email attachment and pop-ups that appear through browsing the internet. Thus, malware acts like a virus that can destroy important information.

Malware has several subtypes such as macro viruses and ransomware, which are commonly used by cybercriminals to demand ransom for releasing the confiscated data. This malware is not only used for the stealing of personal data but also to slow down the system and perform several other harmful actions.  

Phishing scams

Phishing scams refer to hackers’ ability to manipulate users into providing their sensitive and personal data readily. Hackers do this in various ways. Sometimes they pretend to be from a known company/bank the user knows and ask for personal or credit card information. Sometimes they send a link via legitimate email which requires immediate response from the users. Once clicked the hackers can easily infiltrate the system and steal credentials or spy as they please. 

Denial of service (DoS) attacks refers to hackers’ ability to cause damage to data via utilizing IoT (internet of things). Unlike malware, where hackers demand money to release valuable data, DoS attacks destroy data. Hackers crush the traffic of a targeted website by increasing the flow of fake traffic, causing the servers to overload resulting in blocking access to customers by denying the services. Cybercriminals sometimes deploy another type of attack, such as hijacking by trying to access the system when it goes offline to cause more severe destruction.

Credential reuse

In credential reuse the cybercriminals usually acquire and use usernames and passwords of those users who don’t change their credentials frequently and use various passwords for different websites. This made the cyber-attackers' job easy as they only needed to acquire a password once, resulting in accessing several websites and services. 

Mobile Cyberattacks

In the year 2018, around 71 percent of many illegal transactions were made through smartphone applications and mobile browsers. Therefore it has become necessary to prioritize mobile phone security to keep the sensitive data reaching the wrong hands. Wifi interference, crypto-jacking, weak password, and data leakage are some of the common ground of mobile cyber-attacks that are estimated to cost around $1.5 billion worth of data theft by 2021.

Should I Get Cybersecurity Certification Training?

It’s a fact that no one’s data is safe anymore as people nowadays are so increasingly dependable on the internet and smartphones that their data is prone to cyberattacks. The solution to this issue is that companies both private and the government should hire cybersecurity experts who protect their data from such cyberattacks and terrorisms. Unless and until companies and organizations refuse to hire cybersecurity experts, hackers will continue to steal and destroy sensitive data that worth millions of dollars.

Luckily for those who are seeking a career in the cybersecurity field, the jobs are now available in every sector of organizations globally with handsome salary packages and other incentives. Furthermore, online training programs such as online cybersecurity courses and cyber security Boot camp are available. These cybersecurity training bootcamps are designed for students, employees, or anyone who seeks to enhance and polish their skill sets to become a cybersecurity specialist. The Following are some of the most internationally recognized cybersecurity courses available online.

  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
  • Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control
  • Cybersecurity and IT Security Certifications (ISC)
  • Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM)
  • GIAC Security Essentials Certification: Global Security (GSEC)
  • Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)
  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
  • Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
  • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

 

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