Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity, also known as computer security and information technology security, is the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. Cybersecurity is a broad term that can be applied in a variety of contexts, and the field can be divided into different categories:

• Information security—protecting the integrity and privacy of sensitive information, both in storage and transit.
• Network security—the practice of securing networks from intruders, including both wired and wireless connections.
• Application security—building protections into software to keep them free of threats. Compromised applications can lead to bad actors gaining access to sensitive data.
• Operational security—the processes and decisions for handling and protecting digital assets, including the permissions users have and the procedures defining how and where data is stored and shared.
• Disaster recovery/business continuity planning—the tools and procedures governing how an organization responds to unplanned events, such as a cybersecurity incident or another event affecting IT operations.
• Cloud security—encrypting cloud data at rest, in motion, and during use to protect sensitive information and adhere to compliance standards.
• End-user education—teaching users cybersecurity best practices and building security awareness.
• Critical infrastructure security—practices for protecting critical computer systems, networks, and other assets that society relies upon for national security, economic health, and/or public safety.
• Mobile security—managing the security of mobile devices.
• Software supply chain security—securing the components, activities, and practices involved in the development and deployment of software, including third-party and proprietary code.

With the proliferation of technology and the connectivity between systems around the world, cyber-attackscyberattacks have skyrocketed. Data from 2022 shows cybercrime has increased by 600% percent since the covid-19 pandemic, affecting nearly every industry. In 2015, worldwide cybercrime cost companies an estimated $3 trillion. This figure is estimated to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025. Companies that fall victim to cyber-attackscyberattacks can have major financial losses, reputational damage, legal liability, productivity losses, and business continuity problems.

Research shows the global average cost of a data breach in 2022 to be $4.35 million. The average cost in the US is the highest in the world at $9.44 million. The most significant jump in data breach cost in 2022 affected the healthcare industry with an average of $10.1 million, a 42% percent increase since 2020. 45%Forty-five percent of data breaches in 2022 occurred in the cloud.

An umbrella term with many different types, malware refers to malicious software. One of the most common cyber threats, malware generally intends to provide an attacker with access to a legitimate user's computer in order to disrupt or damage operations. Types of malware include the following:

• Virus—self-replicatingViruses—self-replicating programs that spread throughout a computer system infecting files with malicious code.
• Trojans—malware disguised as legitimate software to trick users into uploading the trojan themselves.
• Spyware—programs that secretly record user behavior.
• Adware—advertising software used to spread malware.
• Botnets—networks of infected systems used by cybercriminals to perform tasks online without the owner's permission.
• Ransomware—blocking access to the victim's files until a ransom is paid.

Ransomware attacks have grown significantly in recent years, with 68% of US organizations admitting to experiencing a ransomware attack in 2020. Ransomware attacks permanently block access to the victim's data, threatening to delete or publish sensitive information unless a ransom is paid. Simple ransomware attacks can be easily reversed, but more advanced techniques, such as crypto-viral extortion, encrypt the victim's files. Ransoms are often paid in cryptocurrencies making it harder to track perpetrators.

APhishing is a common attack vector where cybercriminals target victims using what appears to be legitimate correspondence (typically via email), tricking users to offer up sensitive information. This could be login details or personal/financial information. Phishing is a type of social engineering attack whichthat useuses deception rather than exploiting a vulnerability in code.

DDoS attacks attempt to crash a server, website, or network by coordinating a large number of systems to overload the network. DDoS attacks typically involve using malware to infect a large number of systems to create a botnet capable of spamming a server with requests.

An eavesdropping attack where cybercriminals intercept communications between two parties in order to steal data. Examples include compromising an unsecured Wi-Fi network to intercept data between the victim and the network.

SomeoneInsider threats include someone with access to the system or network abusing their permissions. This could be current or former employees, partners, and contractors. Insider threats can bypass many common cybersecurity tools focused on preventing external threats, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

APTsAdvanced persistent threats refer to infiltrated systems wherein which the presence of intruders goes undetected for an extended period. AIn this longer-term cyber attack, the intruder leaves the network intact typically to spy on business activity and steal sensitive data without alerting the security measures. The Solar Winds hack is an example of an APT.

Cryptojacking, also referred to as malicious cryptominingcrypto-mining, is a type of cybercrime where a victim's computing resources are hijacked to mine cryptocurrency. Cryptojacking perpetrators can mine cryptocurrency without paying for hardware, electricity, or any other mining resources. Malware for cryptojackingcrypto-jacking can be delivered using multiple methods, with phishing the most commonly used. Data from 2021 found cryptojackingcrypto-jacking to be the third most prevalent cybersecurity threat.

AI safety is an important developing technology as the development of deepfakes grows more prominent. Deepfakes are a synthetic AI form wherein which users take on the identity of other people. Synthetic media generation of photorealistic avatars and actors causes concern for identity theft and biometric data collection, resulting in companies developing software to detect deepfakes proactively.

Network security is a set of rules and configurations developed and designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of computer networks. Network security software works to prevent and monitor access, misuse, and modification of computer networks or other network-accessible devices or resources.

Data security is a term describing the term used toprocess describeof digitalprotecting data from unauthorized access or corruption. This includes protection, such as information stored in databases, from destructive outside forces, unwanted actions from hackers or cyberattacks, and accidental errors introduced by unauthorized users. Data security is a high-level term, used to describe various sub-services, including data privacy, synthetic data, data encryption including cryptography and homomorphic encryption, and data integrity.

Cybersecurity, also known as computer security and information technology security, is the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. Cybersecurity is a broad term that can be applied in a variety of contexts. and Thethe field can be divided into different categories:

Network security is a set of rules and configurations developed and designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of computer networks. Network security softwaressoftware workworks to prevent and monitor access, misuse, and modification of computer networks or other network-accessible devices or resources.

Cybersecurity, also known as computer security and information technology security, is the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. Cybersecurity is a broad term that can be applied in a variety of contexts. The field can be divided into commondifferent categories:

• Disaster recovery/business continuity planning—the tools and procedures governing how an organization responds to unplanned events tosuch as a cybersecurity incident or another event thataffecting affectsIT operations.

Maintaining effective cybersecurity practices allows individuals and businesses to protect themselves against cyberattacks and data breaches. This includes improved recovery time after a breach and improving a business's reputation increasingin confidencethe fromeyes of developers, partners, customers, stakeholders, and employees.

With the proliferation of technology and the connectivity between networkssystems around the world, cyber attackscyber-attacks have skyrocketed. Data from 2022 shows cybercrime has increased by 600% since the covid-19 pandemic, affecting nearly every industry. In 2015 worldwide cybercrime cost companies an estimated $3 trillion. This figure is estimated to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025. Companies that fall victim to cyber-attacks can have major financial losses, reputational damage, legal liability, productivity losses, and even business continuity problems.

Bad actors use many methods to bypass cybersecurity measures. Generally, these threats can be seperatedseparated into three motives:

An umbrella term with many different types, malware refers to malicious software. One of the most common cyber threats, malware generally intends to provide an attacker with access to a legitimate user's computer in order to disrupt or damage operations. Types of malware include:

Ransomware attacks have grown significantly in recent years, with 68% of US organizations admitting to experiencing a ransomware attack in 2020. Ransomware attacks permanently block access to the victim's data, threatening to delete or publish sensitive information unless a ransom is paid. Simple ransomware attacks can be easily reversed, but more advanced techniques such as crypto-viral extortion, encrypt the victim's files. Ransoms are often paid in cryptocurrencies making it harder to track perpetrators.

A common attack vector where cybercriminals target victims using what appears to be legitimate correspondence (typically via email), tricking users to willingness offer up sensitive information. This could be login details or personal/financial information. Phishing is a type of social engineering attack which use deceptive tacticsdeception rather than exploiting a vulnerability in code.

An eavesdropping attack where cybercriminals intercept communications between two parties in order to steal data. Examples include compromising an unsecured Wi-Fi network to intercept data between the victim and the network.

An SQL (Structured Language Query) injection exploits vulnerabilities in data-driven applications to insert malicious code into a database. This gives them access to any sensitive information within the database.

Someone with access to the system or network abusing their permissions. This could be current or former employees, partners, and contractors. Insider threats can bypass many common cybersecurity tools focused on preventing external threats, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

APTs refer to infiltrated systems where the presence of intruders goes undetected for an extended period. A longer-term cyber attack, the intruder leaves the network intact typically to spy on business activity and steal sensitive data without alerting the security measures. The Solar Winds hack is an example of an APT.

Cryptojacking, also referred to as malicious cryptomining, is a type of cybercrime where a victim's computing resources are hijacked to mine cryptocurrency. Cryptojacking perpetrators can mine cryptocurrency without paying for hardware, electricity, or any other mining resources. Malware for cryptojacking can be delivered using multiple methods, with phishing the most commonly used. Data from 2021 found cryptojacking to be the third most prevalent cybersecurity threat.

Cybersecurity, also known as computer security and information technology security, protectsis the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, internet-connectedelectronic systems, networks, and data from malicious cyber-attacksattacks. andCybersecurity focusesis on protectinga hardware,broad softwareterm andthat datacan systemsbe fromapplied unauthorizedin manipulation,a control,variety andof theftcontexts. The field can be divided into common categories:

• Information security—protecting the integrity and privacy of sensitive information, both in storage and transit.
• Network security—the practice of securing networks from intruders, including both wired and wireless connections.
• Application security—building protections into software to keep them free of threats. Compromised applications can lead to bad actors gaining access to sensitive data.
• Operational security—the processes and decisions for handling and protecting digital assets, including the permissions users have and the procedures defining how and where data is stored and shared.
• Disaster recovery/business continuity planning—the tools and procedures governing how an organization responds to unplanned events to a cybersecurity incident or another event that affects operations.
• Cloud security—encrypting cloud data at rest, in motion, and during use to protect sensitive information and adhere to compliance standards.
• End-user education—teaching users cybersecurity best practices and building security awareness.
• Critical infrastructure security—practices for protecting critical computer systems, networks, and other assets that society relies upon for national security, economic health, and/or public safety.
• Mobile security—managing the security of mobile devices.
• Software supply chain security—securing the components, activities, and practices involved in the development and deployment of software, including third-party and proprietary code.

There are many cybersecurity approaches for protecting digital assets, including application security, information security, network security, operational security, disaster recovery, business continuity planning, and end-user education.

Maintaining effective cybersecurity practices allows individuals and businesses to protect themselves against cyberattacks and data breaches. This includes improved recovery time after a breach and improving a business's reputation increasing confidence from developers, partners, customers, stakeholders, and employees.

With the proliferation of technology and the connectivity between networks around the world cyber attacks have skyrocketed. Data from 2022 shows cybercrime has increased 600% since the covid-19 pandemic, affecting nearly every industry. In 2015 worldwide cybercrime cost companies an estimated $3 trillion. This figure is estimated to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025. Companies that fall victim to cyber-attacks can have major financial losses, reputational damage, legal liability, productivity losses, and even business continuity problems.

Research shows the global average cost of a data breach in 2022 to be $4.35 million. The average cost in the US is the highest in the world at $9.44 million. The most significant jump in data breach cost in 2022 affected the healthcare industry with an average of $10.1 million, a 42% increase since 2020. 45% of data breaches in 2022 occurred in the cloud.

Bad actors use many methods to bypass cybersecurity measures. Generally, these threats can be seperated into three motives:

1. Cybercrime for financial gain, committed by a single actor or a group.
2. Politically motivated cyber attacks to cause disruption or gather information.
3. Cyberterrorism to undermine electronic systems and generate fear or panic.

An umbrella term with many different types, malware refers to malicious software. One of the most common cyber threats malware generally intends to provide an attacker with access to a legitimate user's computer in order to disrupt or damage operations. Types of malware include:

• Virus—self-replicating programs that spread throughout a computer system infecting files with malicious code.
• Trojans—malware disguised as legitimate software to trick users into uploading the trojan themselves.
• Spyware—programs that secretly record user behavior.
• Adware—advertising software used to spread malware.
• Botnets—networks of infected systems used by cybercriminals to perform tasks online without the owner's permission.
• Ransomware—blocking access to the victim's files until a ransom is paid.

Ransomware attacks have grown significantly in recent years with 68% of US organizations admitting to experiencing a ransomware attack in 2020. Ransomware attacks permanently block access to the victim's data, threatening to delete or publish sensitive information unless a ransom is paid. Simple ransomware attacks can be easily reversed, but more advanced techniques such as crypto-viral extortion encrypt the victim's files. Ransoms are often paid in cryptocurrencies making it harder to track perpetrators.

A common attack vector where cybercriminals target victims using what appears to be legitimate correspondence (typically via email) tricking users to willingness offer up sensitive information. This could be login details or personal/financial information. Phishing is a type of social engineering attack which use deceptive tactics rather than exploiting a vulnerability in code.

DDoS attacks attempt to crash a server, website, or network by coordinating a large number of systems to overload the network. DDoS attacks typically involve using malware to infect a large number of systems to create a botnet capable of spamming a server with requests.