Cyber Security: Meaning, Importance and Types

Meaning of Cyber Security

Cyber security means use of technologies, processes, and practices specifically designed to protect computer, servers, mobile devices, networks, electronic systems and data bases cyber-attacks, damages and unauthorized access. It is also known as information technology security and has become extremely important with extensive use of information technology and cloud computing.

Importance of Cyber Security

Several organizations, be it corporate companies, financial firms or government bodies, store crucial information and data on computer, other devices and also cloud. This data can be personal information, financial data, passwords, etc. They want their sensitive data to be safe and keep it away from the hands of cyber criminals. This has raised the importance of cyber security. 

Cyber security companies functions towards protecting their critical from cyber-attacks like malware and phishing.

Organizations usually give access to its employees of the network where data is stored. This data network can be accessed from anywhere, even from outside the office. When the data is on network, it is exposed to malicious attacks. To protect the data from stolen and misused, cyber security is very important.

Types of Cyber Security

1. Critical Infrastructure Security

Critical infrastructure includes electricity grid, water purification, traffic lights, hospitals etc. The security of cyber infrastructure comprises cyber-physical infrastructure on which the society depends. Organizations that are responsible for protecting critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks must be aware of the threat that critical infrastructure is exposed to. They should perform Due diligence and come up with effective security solutions.

2. Application Security

Application security is meant to protect an application from any kind of external threat when it is in the stage of development. It makes use of software and hardware to keep an application safe from cyber-attack. It should be adopted by every organization as it sole purpose is to protect computer systems. Applications can be easily accessed over network and this calls for immediate adoption of application security measures when the application is in the phase of development. Application security also prevents unauthorized access to data and application.

3. Network Security

Network Security inhibits access to internal network. It allows access of only those that are related to the organization or working for it. The intention behind using network security is to protect the internal network from getting invaded by unauthorized elements. Some of the tools used while network security are secured login details, regular changes in the passwords, antivirus programs, antispyware programs, encryptions, firewalls, monitored internet access.

4. Cloud security

There is no organization that is not using cloud computing these days. Some depend on public cloud and some on private cloud. Such widespread is the use of cloud computing these days is that cloud service providers are using highly effective cloud security software. They are constantly creating and implementing security tools to make sure that an enterprise’s data on the cloud is completely secure.

When organization has an extensive IT infrastructure, it becomes extremely important for it to make use of cyber security software. They have to take care of their cloud network, internal network as well as their applications.