In the digital era, it has never been more important to protect our digital infrastructure. As we spend significant amounts of time online, cyber security becomes increasingly pertinent. But what exactly is cyber security, and how is it used in today's world? In this blog, we’ll take a look.

Protecting Computer Systems

Simply put, cyber security can be defined as protecting computer systems including hardware, software and data from attack, unauthorised access or being otherwise being made unavailable. Cybersecurity is a subset of Information Security which is concerned with the protection of every information asset, including both digital documents, databases and hard copies.

Cyber Security: The Three Pillars

Many organisations take a three-pronged approach when it comes to protecting themselves from cyber-attacks. This strategy is adopted according to the 'three pillars of cyber security'. They are as follows:

People - Cyber security strategies can equip internet users with basic best practice protocols which can help to protect organisations. These good habits can include backing up data, choosing strong passwords, and being wary of email attachments or emails from unknown senders.

Processes - The way in which organisations identify, respond to and recover from cyber-attacks can be bound together by processes. These processes make up a framework which includes the roles and responsibilities of people within an organisation in relation to cyber security. It should be noted that cyber security processes typically necessitate regular reviewing and updating, with respect to new types of cyber-attacks.

Technology - Technology refers to the cyber security tools which give organisations and the individuals within them the means to protect themselves from attacks. This technology can include firewalls, antivirus software, malware protection and solutions for email security. It is mainly focused on protecting devices such as routers, computers and smart devices, the Cloud, and internal networks.

Making Cyber Security Work

Whether it is how to secure a business network, how to secure network from hackers, or how to prevent network security attacks, the most effective cyber security policies deploy controls to ensure that the three pillars above are addressed in a manner which reduces risk and is cost-effective. When planning cyber security strategies, it is always important to consider worst-case scenarios and set out clear response strategies. Contact User One today for help and advice on cyber security.