Cybersecurity, computer forensics or information security is basically the protection of networks and computer systems from malicious information theft, destruction of or damage to their software, hardware, or other electronic data and services. Cybersecurity is the practice of using the Internet and digitally supported devices to protect networks, servers, workstations and even individual computers from cyber attacks. The common characteristics of a successful cyber attack are: high degree of confidentiality, targeted attack, time or period of vulnerability, and use of multiple vulnerability resources. Unlike conventional security measures, a successful cyber security operation does not need to only guard against physical threats; it also aims to defend networks against the many threats of digital attack. There are many types of cyber security that include offensive and defensive cyber security. Offensive cyber security involves activities to sabotage or interfere with a system or network, which would allow an attacker to gain access and influence the operations and activities of the operator of that system.

Defensive cyber security involves in the identification, prevention and reduction of the vulnerabilities of a system. It also seeks to develop an awareness of the current status of any vulnerabilities that would allow an attacker to compromise a system or network. The goal of this form of cyber defense is to build and maintain a robust security posture to protect a company against external threats, while enabling an internal network to function uninterruptedly. Many experts believe that application security is what allows the Internet to be so powerful and effective, since it is an unbreakable barrier that locks out the bad guys from gaining unauthorized access to a company’s confidential information.

A major part of the overall global effort to enhance the security of the world’s computer systems is through the implementation of firewall applications that prevent hackers from accessing corporate data or malicious programs that could potentially attack or corrupt data on a server. Different types of firewalls are being made available for companies by different manufacturers. Application security can be achieved through different means including controlling access to sensitive data through the use of passwords, locking servers and building Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). IDS are computer-monitoring devices that are installed on workstations or other machines. They run an exhaustive check, detecting and reporting anomalies that may arise in computers as a result of security breaches. They are therefore a major component of business continuity planning.