What Is Cyber Security?

A top priority for cyber security experts is prevention. They focus on finding vulnerabilities before attackers do and shoring up security. In order to succeed, they must be up to date on potential threats—like known hackers and malware—that can infiltrate systems.

They also:

Experts help organizations create plans for continuing business if a breach or other adverse event does occur. A large part of the job is ensuring business carries on safely with as little disturbance as possible.

In the event of a cyber-attack or other disruption, professionals are tasked with carrying out these plans to respond to the immediate threat and improving security going forward. Following a data breach, malware attack or even a natural disaster like a fire, flood or earthquake, experts implement measures to minimize damage and keep mission-critical functions working. They then identify the problems and work quickly to find solutions so normal operations can resume as soon as possible.

Across all their work, cyber security professionals handle a range of tasks, which may include:

There are several different types of cyber threats for information security experts to watch out for. Three well-known threats are cybercrime, cyberattacks and cyberterrorism.

One useful way to tell the difference between a cybercrime and cyberterrorism is the motive. Cyberterrorism tends to be carried out by organized groups who claim responsibility for the attack and explain their motive for a specific target. Cybercrime tends to more anonymous and is often done with the aim of making money, not to make any sort of public statement.

Here are a few methods used by criminals carrying out a cyber threat:  

An abbreviation for "malicious software," malware includes several types of software like adware, botnets, spyware, viruses and ransomware. Malware relies on getting someone to install software, or forcefully installing software, onto their device.

This is a type of cybercrime that targets people typically through email. Phishing emails tend to pose as a legitimate entity, like a bank or the IRS, in order to get users to hand over sensitive data. Similar scams are often carried out through the mail or through phone calls and text messages.

A denial of service attack (DoS attack) aims to prevent computer systems, such as a website, from performing basic functions and requests by overwhelming the server with illegitimate traffic. Many notable denial of service attacks have occurred in the form of a distributed denial of service attack (DDoS), which relies on several computers rather than a single device.

Man-in-the-middle attacks rely on unsecure networks to intercept sensitive data being transferred between two parties. An example of this attack would be someone breaking into a public Wi-Fi network and intercepting the bank password of someone accessing their checking account.

Cyber security is often managed in a top-down approach. Business leaders lead the charge to convey the importance of protecting company and customer data. With so many digitally literate people using the internet today, it's easy to imagine how any major company might be vulnerable to an attack. Therefore, it's the responsibility of business leaders to prioritize cyber security and work to identify threats to avoid a potential breach.

When protecting data is a concern, there are several steps that information security specialists can follow to facilitate effective responses and security measures. Some of these steps include:

In a world where cyberattacks are inevitable, you need to create a secure location where essential information is stored. This should include data like customer information, employee information and private company data.

Identify the areas where risks are most likely to present themselves. This step often involves using ethical hacking skills to pinpoint areas of weakness in your data management defenses.

Once the areas of high risk have been identified, a risk mitigation plan needs to be developed. This plan should focus on reinforcing areas where defenses are weak.

Still, cyberattacks can occur. To be prepared, you need a plan of action. These plans should focus on removing the harmful elements from your system, alerting affected parties and identifying the attackers.

Keep your identity, finances and data safe by following these basic cyber security tips:

It’s a good idea to change your passwords often, randomize them and don’t reuse them. Use trusted password management programs to protect the privacy of your passwords, but avoid using the “save password” feature on your devices without added security measures like fingerprint identification or facial recognition.

Multi-Factor authentication is a security process that requires additional identity verification steps beyond entering your username and password, making it more difficult for hackers to access your devices. Whenever possible, use two-factor authentication (2FA) log-in options on online platforms. 2FA is a type of multi-factor authentication that requires two different identification methods before allowing you to log in. When you’ve added 2FA to your account, a code is sent to your mobile device or email after you’ve entered your user name and password, and the login process can only be completed using that code.

Viruses can slow down your computer, damage or delete files, cause data loss and prevent your computer from performing tasks. Antivirus software detects viruses in computer systems, removes them and helps prevent them from infecting your computer again.

There are several exciting jobs in the evolving field of cyber security. Opportunities can include:

Computer systems analysts study existing computer systems and make recommendations for system improvements. Their work may involve researching new technologies to determine if they’ll increase an organization’s effectiveness or efficiency. Working closely with the organization’s leadership team, they consult with managers and prepare cost-benefit analyses to help determine whether system upgrades are financially worthwhile. Their work may also include overseeing installation of new systems and writing instruction manuals.

Often working under the direction of network and computer systems administrators, computer network support specialists analyze and troubleshoot computer network problems. They play an important role in the regular maintenance of their organization’s networks. This may be as a matter of routine or performed as part of the organization’s disaster recovery efforts. These specialists may also assist computer users through phone, email or in-person interactions.

Information security analysts monitor computer networks for security breaches and other cyber security-related issues and develop plans for cyber security best practices. They also research the latest security trends and recommend upgrades and improvements, such as firewalls and data encryption programs, to help protect an organization’s systems and information infrastructure. The information security analyst may also be involved in the installation and testing of these improvements.

Security analysts observe the overall security of a company’s network system and take steps to fix any issues they might find. They also provide recommendations to help improve security systems, find and mitigate potential security breaches and help respond to cyberattacks. Security analysts also compile reports for administrators and managers that assess a company’s current security policies and measures. They strive to create a more secure network and may educate company employees in various security protocols.

Penetration testers, also known as pen testers or ethical hackers, break into computers and devices by mimicking the efforts that a malicious or unethical hacker might use in a cyberattack. Using tenacity and highly advanced computer skills, they do this mainly to uncover and rectify system vulnerabilities before cybercriminals have a chance to do their worst. Once the penetration tester’s attempts to hack into the system are complete, they report their findings and conclusions to management. 

Working as part of an in-house IT department or as consultants, vulnerability assessors, sometime referred to as vulnerability assessment analysts, run tests and scans to pinpoint system vulnerabilities and improve network security. They oversee and run regular security audits, compose and describe vulnerability assessments and recognize any vital defects in systems that could allow access to cybercriminals. They may also be responsible for leading instruction and training for system administrators.