The term “cybersecurity” encompasses the strategy, policies, and practices for securing networks, information, and physical facilities. It includes threat reduction, vulnerability reduction, deterrence, international engagement, incident response, and resiliency.
A threat that can potentially exploit vulnerabilities and impact organizational operations, organizational assets (including information and information systems), individuals, a geographic area, other organizations, or society.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is the set of strategies and technologies that protect networks, data, and assets from cyberattacks. Cyberattacks are harmful, often resulting in lost money, reputation, and business operations. Therefore, having a good understanding of cybersecurity terminology is crucial.
Cyberattacks can take many forms, including hacking, identity theft, malware, and DDoS attacks. Hacking is illegally accessing a computer system, typically by taking advantage of a security flaw. Malware is malicious software that can infect other systems, extort money (ransomware), or spy on people.
DDoS attacks occur when multiple computers are attacked simultaneously to disrupt online services and stop users from accessing sites or applications. A botnet is a network of malware-infected devices that may be remotely controlled and utilized for various attacks.
The security of a business’s technology is the responsibility of all staff, even those not working directly with it. Everyone must understand how to be safe from cyberattacks, which can cost an organization millions of dollars and cause severe damage to a brand’s reputation. Security training can be as simple as reminding employees to lock all doors, windows, and elevators when leaving the office.
Cyberwar
The notion of cyberwar has been around for some time, and it’s a growing concern among governments, militaries, and businesses. The reason is that so much of modern life depends on computer systems, including everything from critical infrastructures to modes of commerce and tools for national security.
It’s important to note that cyber warfare is different from other types of attacks because government agencies or hackers can conduct it with the intent of causing harm to individuals and nations. Cyberwarfare also aims at computer networks and devices that manage real-world infrastructure, such as airports or power grids. Knocking out those systems could result in significant disruptions or even civil unrest.
Aside from attacking military systems, other possible cyber warfare targets include financial institutions, government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations that perform research. Attacks may also include stealing critical data or holding control systems or data hostage with ransomware.
Other common cybersecurity terms include phishing, bots, and multi-factor authentication. Phishing uses phony emails to get private data, like passwords or credit card details. At the same time, a bot is a software program that runs automated tasks on a computer without human intervention. A security technique known as multi-factor authentication involves many forms of identification before allowing access to a device or account. And a zero-day attack is when bad actors discover a vulnerability in a software system before its makers can issue a patch for it.
Cybercrime
Cybercrime involves a crime that includes the use of a computer, network, or device. It covers various crimes, from hacking into websites to accessing sensitive information to malware and denial of service attacks. Hackers can target various devices and services, including social media platforms, online banking sites, cryptocurrency exchanges, etc. These attacks can cost businesses millions in damages and loss of revenue.
These attacks can be driven by financial incentives or simply for fun. Some hackers even carry out these attacks for political or ideological reasons. Cybercriminals also rely on various tools to carry out these crimes, from computer viruses to brute force hacking tactics and password crackers.
Another common problem is data breaches, which can devastate a business’s reputation and bottom line. For example, damage to investor perception can lead to a drop in the value of a company’s shares. In addition, a breach may require companies to spend more on security, PR, and other services that could otherwise be used to drive new business.
The internet offers criminals many different hiding places in a planet-spanning network that enables them to commit difficult or impossible crimes for law enforcement to stop. However, technology alone is insufficient to distinguish these crimes from traditional crimes. For example, it’s not necessarily illegal to traffic in child pornography or intellectual property, but it is when carried out over the internet.
Cyberterrorism
Cyberterrorism attacks computers, networks, and the data they contain for political or ideological goals. It differs from cybercrime in that it is a violent action against a nation or its citizens to achieve specific and dangerous goals.
Cyber terrorists rely on the internet for funding, preparation, education, and coordination. They also use it to carry out attacks. Cyberterrorism has several significant categories: intrusion, destruction, disinformation, and denial of service attacks.
Destruction or false representation of an organization’s, country’s, or alliance’s reputation is one of cyberterrorism’s primary goals. This can significantly impact that entity’s regular activities, and recovering from such an attack is frequently challenging. Examples include website defacements and spreading false rumors via electronic means such as e-mails or social media.
Another critical aspect of cyberterrorism is disrupting a nation’s economic and social fabric. Attacks of this nature can cost firms millions in lost profits and forced shutdowns. They can also harm public morale and cause psychological stress and anxiety. Unlike physical terror, cyber-attacks are harder to identify and prosecute, making them an attractive tactic for terrorists. The anonymity afforded by the internet allows attackers to target specific individuals, groups (with membership based on beliefs or ethnicity), and communities without fear of identification, capture, or injury.
