What is cyber security and its importance in today’s world
- Dr. M.Kaleemullah
- Aug 21, 2023
- 10 min read
Updated: May 9

Cyber security: To protect computers, data and other digital materials which hold any potential sensitive information or personal details like address, mobile numbers, credit card information’s etc. from leaks, theft and damage comes under the window of cyber security.
Different types of cyber security
There are different types of cyber security, but we are going to discuss those who are more popular now a days.
Network Security

Network security ensures that all the data in the network is kept secure from cyber-attacks and others like DoS attacks. It increases the trust on the network and makes it usable.
A network comprises of computers, servers, and other interconnected devices within network, it is protected by different strategies and software’s and hardware’s to avoid unauthenticated entry in the network or keep it safe from cyber-attacks. These software and tools include:
· Access control.
· Zero-trust network access.
· Antivirus and antimalware.
· Application security.
· Intrusion prevention system.
· Data loss prevention (DLP).
· Firewall.
· Sandboxing.
· Software-defined perimeter (SDP).
· Security information and event management (SIEM).
· Multifactor authentication (MFA).
· Virtual private network (VPN).
· Behavioral analytics.
· Network segmentation.
There are some best practices to enhance network security like.
· Security policies Make some policies for all the employees in the organization to ensure the security of every employee information and possible breach from there computer or devices.
· Make incident response plan (IRP) An incident response plan is a set of steps which should be follow in any case of cyber-attack. Every attack is not always the same so keep in mind making such IRP which can either fit all or can be a root step to avoid further damage.
· Backup Making backups of important documents is also a good practice to avoid permanent loss of valuable data in case of ransomware attacks also ensuring it should be separated from main network.
· Multi factor authentication It is a most important tool to avoid data breaches, it works by asking two or more verification method such as fingerprint, OTP and etc. As we enter the more digital era of internet we need to implement this type of method more and more in the daily life of digital world.
Cloud Security

Cloud security is designed to protect an organization from internal or external threats, as organization gets more digitalized, cloud security becomes more and more important in daily practices.
However, there are some challenges in cloud security as discussed below.
· Management and IT: On traditional local server system we can restrict the access and monitor it, but in cloud management its rather difficult in terms of implementing policies to checking and filtering devices of employee which can bring a great threat to cloud security and risk everyone security too.
· Guarding against collateral cyber risks: Collateral risk comes from multitenancy which introduces a complex challenge inn keeping both safe from cyber-attacks.
· Innovation and Adaptation:
In the fastest growing arena of cyber security innovation and adaptation plays important role as well as keeping up to date with regularly keeping it secure from new threats.
Solutions available:
· Identity and access management (IAM) It is a tool which allow organizations to enforce policy to both cloud-based services as well as local office security by creating digital identity of every single user so they can be distinguishes, monitored, and stopped the access when there is a security risk.
· Data loss prevention (DLP) Data loss prevention is more like similar to backup and keeping it separate but it comes in single service which ensures the cloud security by giving alerts, encrypting data.
· Continuity and disaster recovery Enterprise must react as soon as possible to new vulnerabilities. Disaster recovery solutions are also there placed to make sure the quick recovery.
EndPoint Security

Endpoint security alludes to the hone of ensuring the different gadgets (endpoints) that interface to a arrange, such as tablets, desktops, smartphones, tablets, servers, and IoT (Web of Things) gadgets. These endpoints speak to the focuses at which clients get to and associated with the organize and its assets. Endpoint security points to secure these gadgets and avoid unauthorized get to, information breaches, and other cyber dangers.
The essential objective of endpoint security is to guarantee that each gadget interfacing to the arrangement is ensured against a wide run of potential dangers, counting malware, phishing assaults, ransomware, and unauthorized get to. It includes executing security measures such as:
· Antivirus and Antimalware Security: Introducing and keeping up antivirus and antimalware program to distinguish and expel pernicious program from endpoints.
· Firewalls: Setting up firewalls to screen and control approaching and active arrange activity, making a difference anticipate unauthorized get to and information spillage.
· Fix Administration: Guaranteeing that working frameworks and computer program applications on endpoints are up to date with the most recent security patches to address known vulnerabilities.
· Information Encryption: Scrambling touchy information on endpoints to ensure it from unauthorized get to in case the gadget is misplaced or stolen.
· Gadget Control: Executing arrangements to limit or control the utilize of outside gadgets, such as USB drives, to anticipate information misfortune or malware contaminations.
· Client Confirmation: Implementing solid confirmation strategies, such as multi-factor confirmation, to confirm the personality of clients getting to the organize.
· Behavioral Investigation: Utilizing behavioral investigation and machine learning to screen and distinguish bizarre or suspicious exercises on endpoints.
· Inaccessible Wipe: Executing the capacity to remotely wipe information from misplaced or stolen gadgets to avoid unauthorized get to touchy data.
· Security Inspecting and Checking: Ceaselessly observing endpoint exercises and performing security reviews to distinguish and react to potential dangers.
Mobile Security

Versatile security alludes to the measures and hones executed to secure versatile gadgets, such as smartphones and tablets, from a wide extent of cyber dangers and dangers. As portable gadgets have ended up a necessarily portion of present-day life, versatile security has gotten to be a basic concern to guarantee the secrecy, keenness, and accessibility of touchy information and data put away and transmitted through these gadgets.
· Gadget Assurance: This includes defending the physical gadget from robbery, misfortune, or unauthorized get to. Highlights like Stick codes, passwords, biometric confirmation (unique mark or facial acknowledgment), and farther gadget following and wiping are commonly utilized for gadget security.
· Information Encryption: Scrambling information put away on the gadget and information transmitted over systems guarantees that indeed in case the gadget is compromised, the information remains incoherent to unauthorized parties.
· App Security: Guaranteeing the security of versatile applications is pivotal. This includes scrutinizing apps for potential security vulnerabilities, giving app consents reasonably, and downloading apps as they were from trusted sources (app stores).
· Organize Security: Securing portable gadgets from dangers whereas associated to both Wi-Fi and cellular systems. This incorporates utilizing secure associations (HTTPS), dodging open Wi-Fi for delicate exercises, and utilizing virtual private systems (VPNs) for scrambled communication.
· Versatile Gadget Administration (MDM): For undertakings, MDM arrangements permit chairmen to oversee and implement security arrangements on portable gadgets utilized by representatives, guaranteeing compliance and security guidelines.
· App Store Approaches: Versatile stages have app store arrangements that designers must follow to, counting security necessities, to play down the hazard of noxious apps being disseminated.
· Working Framework Overhauls: Frequently overhauling the portable device's working framework and applications makes a difference guarantee that security patches and fixes for known vulnerabilities are connected.
· Phishing and Social Building Mindfulness: Teaching clients approximately the dangers of phishing assaults and social building strategies makes a difference them recognize and dodge potential dangers.
· Versatile Malware Assurance: Utilizing antivirus and antimalware arrangements planned particularly for versatile gadgets can offer assistance identify and avoid malware contaminations.
· Secure Reinforcement and Information Administration: Routinely backing up information to secure cloud capacity makes a difference ensure against information misfortune due to gadget burglary, harm, or glitch.
IoT Security

IoT (Web of Things) security alludes to the methodologies, hones, and advances utilized to ensure the organized gadgets and frameworks that make up the IoT environment. IoT includes the interconnection of different physical objects, apparatuses, sensors, and gadgets to the web, permitting them to gather, trade, and handle information. Whereas IoT offers various benefits and openings, it moreover presents critical security challenges due to its tremendous and assorted nature.
· Gadget Confirmation and Authorization: Guaranteeing that as it were authorized gadgets and clients can get to and connected with IoT gadgets and frameworks. Solid verification components and getting to controls are imperative.
· Information Encryption: Scrambling information transmitted between IoT gadgets and over systems to avoid unauthorized get to and spying.
· Firmware and Computer program Overhauls: Frequently upgrading the computer program and firmware of IoT gadgets to fix vulnerabilities and address security issues.
· Arrange Security: Executing solid arrange security conventions and hones to ensure IoT gadgets from unauthorized get to and assaults.
· Gadget Character Administration: Allotting interesting personalities to IoT gadgets and overseeing their personalities all through their lifecycle to avoid pantomime and unauthorized utilize.
· Physical Security: Guaranteeing the physical security of IoT gadgets to anticipate altering or unauthorized get to equipment components.
· Secure Communication Conventions: Utilizing secure communication conventions and benchmarks that provide encryption and verification for information traded between IoT gadgets and frameworks.
· IoT Stage Security: Guaranteeing the security of the stages and cloud administrations that oversee and handle IoT information, counting legitimate get to controls and information encryption.
· Protection Assurance: Executing measures to ensure the security of people whose information is collected by IoT gadgets, counting anonymization and client assent components.
· Danger Location and Occurrence Reaction: Sending devices and frameworks to identify irregular behavior or potential security breaches in IoT systems and having a well-defined occurrence reaction arrange.
· Seller Security: Collaborating with IoT gadget producers and providers to guarantee that security is built into the plan and advancement of gadgets.
· Administrative Compliance: Following to important information security and security directions, such as GDPR (Common Information Assurance Direction) or HIPAA (Wellbeing Protections Compactness and Responsibility Act), when collecting and overseeing IoT information.
Application Security
Application security alludes to the hone of distinguishing, moderating, and avoiding vulnerabilities and dangers inside computer program applications to guarantee their privacy, keenness, and accessibility. It includes an extent of procedures, devices, and forms outlined to ensure applications from different cyber dangers and assaults, such as unauthorized get to, information breaches, infusion assaults, and more.
· Code Audit and Investigation:
Conducting intensive surveys of application code to distinguish potential vulnerabilities and security shortcomings. Inactive and energetic code investigation instruments offer assistance in computerizing this handle.
· Input Approval:
Guaranteeing that client inputs and information are legitimately approved and sanitized to avoid common vulnerabilities like SQL infusion, cross-site scripting (XSS), and command infusion.
· Verification and Authorization:
Actualizing solid confirmation components to confirm client personalities and get to controls to guarantee that clients as it had gotten to the assets they are authorized to utilize.
· Session Administration:
Appropriately overseeing client sessions and executing session timeouts to avoid session capturing and unauthorized get to.
· Encryption:
Utilizing encryption to secure delicate information both in travel and at rest, anticipating unauthorized get to and information breaches.
· Fix Administration:
Keeping computer program libraries and components up to date with the most recent security patches to address known vulnerabilities.
· Secure Improvement Lifecycle (SDLC):
Joining security hones all through the whole program advancement lifecycle, from plan and coding to testing and sending
· Web Application Firewalls (WAFs):
Sending WAFs to screen and channel approaching activity to web applications, making a difference to anticipate assaults and misuses.
· Infiltration Testing:
Conducting controlled mimicked assaults on applications to identify vulnerabilities and shortcomings that may well be misused by malevolent on-screen characters.
· Security Preparing and Mindfulness:
Teaching engineers, analyzers, and other partners almost secure coding hones and common security dangers to move forward by and large application security.
· Third-party and Open-Source Security:
Surveying the security of third-party components and libraries utilized in applications to avoid vulnerabilities presented through outside conditions.
· Secure APIs:
Guaranteeing that application programming interfacing (APIs) are planned and executed safely to anticipate information breaches and unauthorized get to.
Zero Trust
Zero Believe may be a cybersecurity system and approach that challenges the conventional perimeter-based security demonstrate by expecting that no substance, whether interior or exterior the organization's organize, ought to be trusted by default. In Zero Believe engineering, belief is never accepted based exclusively on the area of the client or gadget; instep, get to be allowed based on strict confirmation and nonstop checking of different variables.
· Confirm Personality:
Clients and gadgets are thoroughly verified and authorized some time recently giving get to assets. This incorporates multi-factor verification (MFA) and solid character confirmation strategies.
· Slightest Benefit:
Clients and gadgets are allowed as it were the least get to authorizations required to perform their errands. This guideline limits potential harm in case of a breach.
· Micro-Segmentation:
Systems are partitioned into littler fragments, and getting to between sections is firmly controlled. This limits horizontal development for aggressors inside the organize.
· Nonstop Checking:
Continuous checking of client and gadget behavior is basic to distinguish peculiarities and potential security breaches. This has influenced recognizing and reacting to dangers in genuine time.
· Hazard Evaluation:
Customary evaluation of security dangers and vulnerabilities makes a difference distinguish and address potential shortcomings within the framework.
· Approach Authorization:
Strict approaches are implemented for control and information security. Approaches are connected reliably over the organization's organize, applications, and information.
· Versatile Security:
The security measures and controls are adapted based on changes within the environment, client behavior, and risk scene.
Why it is important:
In the growing era of internet with more complex network structures and increasing number of mobile phones users and relying on cloud services which not only hold one user data but also holds millions of user data which are at risk more than ever, on the side of businesses not only the companies data are at risk but there employee and all the associated smaller companies or departments are too.
On the basis of today’s technologies or the threat we know about. We can classify cyber-attack in some category on some extent.
Gen I attacks or viruses
Back in the early era of viruses there were some popular viruses like
· The Creeper Program
· The Rabbit Virus
· The First Trojan
· The Brain Boot Sector Virus
· The Love Letter Virus
Gen II attacks or network attacks
Network threats was what started to create panic for large organizations with the most popular advance persistence threats, it includes multilayered threads with other complex threats.
Common types
· Unauthorized access
· Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks
· Man in the middle attacks.
· Code and SQL injection attacks
· Privilege escalation
· Insider threats
Gen III attacks or application attacks
Application vulnerabilities which lead to use of intrusion prevention system
Gen IV attacks or payload (malware) attacks
In this ever-growing era payload is what we used to describe what a virus, trojan or worm has a purpose on victims computer, for example a ransomware is designed to locked out the user from using their own files.
Gen V attacks or a mega attack
These attacks are muti-vector more disruptive than previous attacks, such as Gen I attacks. They can hit cloud environments, endpoint, and multi coordinated attacks.
Conclusion:
As our world gets to be progressively interconnected and dependent on innovation, they have to secure delicate information, advanced resources, and basic frameworks have ended up vital.
Cybersecurity shields touchy data from falling into the off-base hands.
Successful cybersecurity measures offer assistance avoid these assaults, minimizing potential harm, budgetary misfortunes, and operational disturbances.
Strong cybersecurity techniques guarantee commerce progression by relieving dangers and minimizing the effect of potential breaches.
Cybersecurity shields restrictive data and mental property, anticipating unauthorized get to and robbery.
Cybersecurity shields individual protection, avoiding unauthorized get to delicate information.
A solid cybersecurity ecosystem contributes to a talented workforce competent of protecting against advancing dangers.




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