What Is Cyber Security?

Cyber security is the practice of protecting networks, devices and data from unauthorized access or criminal use. It’s a vital and rapidly growing field that encompasses many different types of roles. We’re seeing more and more demand for cybersecurity professionals and reports continue to emphasize the need for a well-trained, skilled workforce.

Cybersecurity impacts everything from our communications (email, smartphones, tablets), entertainment (interactive video games, social media), transportation (navigation systems), shopping and credit card data, medical equipment, and even the pacemakers in elderly patients. Critical infrastructure sectors such as energy production and transmission, water and wastewater, healthcare, and food and agriculture are also vulnerable to attacks that could threaten our daily lives.

These threats range from malware erasing your system or computer files to attackers using your device to attack others or make unauthorized purchases with your credit cards. The good news is that it’s possible to protect your digital systems, devices and data with a variety of tools.

Encryption software for example can make it safer for employees to use public networks such as those at coffee shops, because snooping hackers will be unable to read the information. In addition, implementing a zero trust framework that requires all systems to be validated before being allowed onto the network can help reduce risk. And training and educating individual users about how to spot scams, how to identify and avoid dangerous attachments and links, and ensuring they’re aware of the risks can go a long way. Security Operations Center