Cybersecurity In The Twenty-First Century

Computer security, cybersecurity or data security is the overall protection of computer networks and systems against external information access, data loss or destruction of their hardware, applications, or personal electronic data, and from the disruption or malicious misdirection of their services. As the world moves closer towards a highly interconnected world to more people rely on computers for everyday business transactions, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that these systems are safe from attack. This kind of security involves preventing attacks by hackers, malicious insiders, and even external third parties by using a variety of protective measures. A company’s network is the hub of all its internal activities and therefore, it requires the most up-to-date and solid protection. The Internet has provided an endless source of methods to infiltrate a system. From phishing emails, automated programs, and rogue software that install viruses into computers, to simpler methods such as sending random data packets, all attacks can be quite effective.

A major cause for cybercrimes is vulnerability of systems to data breaches through several channels. A major cause of data breach is vulnerability of networks to attacks originating from unauthorised third party sources. Prevention of data breaches largely depends on measures adopted in the areas of firewalls, anti-virus, and data backups. Apart from prevention, another major way of mitigating against cyber attacks is by taking effective legal measures to deal with any cases of data breach that might arise. In other words, a company needs to be proactive in addressing issues of cybersecurity.

One of the simplest ways of preventing the likelihood of data leaks and other security risks is by adopting a rigorous approach to the use of IT devices. A large number of people rely on their mobile devices to carry out their daily tasks, both for work and entertainment purposes. These devices can be used to view the web, exchange messages, check emails, and send files, but they are also susceptible to attack by hackers who may attempt to obtain confidential information or even install malware on the infected devices. Therefore, companies that have a large network of mobile devices need to ensure that they are using appropriate security measures to protect corporate networks, because no single device is safe from attack.