Cyber security is an integrated approach to the defense of information, software and technology systems against malicious or criminal activity. It includes processes, policies, technology and skills to protect against the various types of attacks, as well as to detect and respond to a cyber attack.
Processes are a key component of an effective cybersecurity program and must be in place to ensure that all employees know their duties and responsibilities. Without a proper management system in place, issues and data can easily fall through the cracks, making your entire company vulnerable to cyber security problems, up to and including a data breach.
The Elements of Cyber Security
The first element of a good cybersecurity program is a strong security architecture. This is the framework of how a business will design its IT infrastructure to meet cyber security goals.
An example of this would be a network perimeter that delineates the boundaries between an internal and public network, or a cloud application server that allows access to the internet. The perimeter can be implemented using a variety of methods such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems and even physical barriers like hardened cabinets for digital equipment or port blockers for connections to the internet.
Next, an organization needs to develop a sound disaster recovery plan that helps it restore operations following a loss or a catastrophic incident. This plan must be developed with consideration of both short-term and long-term scenarios.
It must also include a plan for how to prevent a loss of data and how to minimize the impact of the loss. This is particularly important when dealing with sensitive and confidential data, as a breach that compromises critical data could be devastating.
Lastly, an organizational cyber security team must be developed and trained to ensure that all of these elements are working together to maintain the company’s overall security posture. This will include identifying weaknesses in the infrastructure that could be exploited by an attacker, developing a response to any incidents and ensuring that all employees are aware of their responsibilities when it comes to cyber security. Here you have learnt what is cybersecurity and elements of cybersecurity.