Learn What is Cyber Security and Why It Is Important!

Cyber security refers to the system that protects computers, networks, and sensitive information from cyber-attacks. Hackers attempt these attacks to steal data, disrupt operations, or damage critical systems. There are multiple types of cyber attacks, including malware, phishing, ransomware and DDoS attacks. Cyber security helps businesses to protect customer data from these attacks and avoid financial losses. Attackers mainly target companies that do not have proper security to protect their confidential information and critical files.

Read the article to learn more about “What is cyber security and why is it important?”, the meaning of the cyber security life cycle, key components of cyber security, etc.

What is Cyber Security Life Cycle?

The cybersecurity lifecycle is a continuous process that protects and manages an organisation’s information and data against cyber threats. The main stages of the cybersecurity lifecycle are identification, protection, detection, response, and recovery. These stages enable organisations to assess risks, implement security measures, and address vulnerabilities effectively. Let us know about these stages below.

• Identification: In this phase, potential threats are spotted, which allows organisations to understand what risks they may face.
• Protection: This stage involves implementing measures to protect against identified threats and ensure that systems and data are secure.
• Detection: Here, the focus is on finding any security breaches that occur to enable organisations to respond swiftly to any incidents.
• Response: This phase involves taking immediate steps to reduce the damage from an attack, ensuring that the organisation can reduce the impact effectively.
• Recovery: The final stage is all about getting things back to normal restoring systems and data to ensure that operations can continue smoothly.

Check the cyber security analyst salary in South Africa here.

Ready to Learn More?

Get the Details You Need - Download the Brochure and Start Planning Your Success.

Download Free Brochure

Key Components of Cyber Security

After learning “What is cyber security?”, you must also learn its key components. In cybersecurity, the key components create a framework that protects against various cyber threats. From network security to data protection, each element plays an important role in maintaining information integrity, confidentiality, and availability. Let us know about these key components below.

• Ensuring Network Security: Protecting data privacy and network security with tools like VPNs, IDS, and firewalls.
• EDR technologies in Protecting Devices: Protecting devices using EDR technologies, antivirus software, and device protection.
• Data Encryption: Ensuring data confidentiality and integrity through encryption during processing, transmission, and storage.
• Security Awareness Among Staff: Educating staff on cybersecurity best practices, including phishing awareness and handling security events.
• Incident Response and Management: Implementing policies for detecting, handling, and recovering from cybersecurity incidents.
• Risk Management: Managing risks and maintaining responsibility by applying safety rules and regulations.
• Access Management: Controlling access to systems and data using multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access control (RBAC).

Know about the cyber security courses in South Africa here.

Tools & Technologies in Cyber Security

Cybersecurity experts use certain tools and technologies to protect data. These tools will help you identify data breaches, create a security system, and ensure a proactive approach to reducing potential cyber-attacks. Let us know about these tools below.

• Email Forensics: This involves the process of collecting, preserving, and analysing email data to investigate incidents such as fraud or cybercrime.
• John The Ripper: An open-source password-cracking software tool used to identify weak passwords by testing them against various hash algorithms.
• KeePass: It is a free, open-source password manager that securely stores and manages user passwords in an encrypted database.
• VeraCrypt: A free disk encryption software that protects data by creating a virtual encrypted disk or encrypting entire partitions.
• Burp Suite: A popular integrated platform for web application security testing that provides tools for performing automated and manual tests.
• Nikto: An open-source web server scanner that identifies vulnerabilities, outdated software, and security issues in web servers.
• Wireshark: This is a network protocol analyser that captures and displays data packets traveling through a network, useful for troubleshooting and analysis.
• Nmap: A network scanning tool used to discover hosts and services on a computer network, which provides information about open ports and potential vulnerabilities.
• Malware Analysis: It is the process of examining malware to understand its functionality, origin, and potential impact, which helps develop protective measures.

Learn about the five pillars of cyber security here!

Why is Cyber Security important?

Before learning “What is cyber security?” you might wonder why it is essential. This is because the importance of cybersecurity is rising due to our high reliance on technology. Sensitive information like social security numbers and financial details stored in cloud services face higher risks of data breaches. Individuals, businesses, and large companies need secure systems to prevent identity theft and cyberattacks. With the growth of cloud computing, smartphones, and IoT, new security threats have emerged. Governments are also taking steps by implementing laws like GDPR and enforcing stricter data breaches and privacy rules. Due to high cyber threats, one needs strong cybersecurity measures to protect personal data and business operations and maintain trust in the digital world.

Know the aims and objectives of cyber security here

Applications of Cyber Security to Secure Your Systems

Organisations must implement strong security measures to protect their data and infrastructure from cyber threats. Cyber security comprises a range of strategies and technologies designed to prevent potential breaches and vulnerabilities. Several applications in cyber security help secure systems from online threats. Let us learn more about these applications below.

• Identity and Access Management: IAM controls who has access to data, networks, and systems. It uses role-based access control (RBAC) to minimise system access.
• Endpoint Detection and Response: EDR is used to identify endpoint threats through tools like firewalls and antivirus software.
• Network Security Monitoring: It monitors network activity for harmful bots through manual and automated techniques.
• Software & Application Security: It protects critical business applications through whitelisting, code signing, and multi-factor authentication.
• Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems: IDPSmonitor traffic for malicious systems and respond by minimising access or issuing warnings.
• Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: It ensures data recovery and continued operations in case of data loss or disasters.
• Firewalls Protection: It monitors and manages inbound and outbound traffic to protect against viruses and malware.
• Data Loss Prevention: DLPprevents data loss through encryption, leak detection, and user activity monitoring.
• Crucial Systems Protection: It monitors and secures network connections, servers, and user devices from large-scale attacks.

Also, get insights into application security in cyber security here

How to Get Started with Cyber Security?

To start a career in cyber security, first, you need to know “what is cyber security?”. Then, you need to build a solid understanding of how computer systems and the internet work. Let us know how to start with cyber security through the steps below:

• Learn Operating Systems: Start with basic knowledge of Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems. Understand how these systems work and their security features. 
• Understand Computer Networks: Learn about networks, including how routers, firewalls, and protocols like TCP, IP, and SSL work. Understanding networks is essential, as most attacks happen online. 
• Learn Web Application Security: Since most organisations have web applications, it is important to learn how they function and how to secure them. Focus on HTTP, HTTP headers, cookies, and security frameworks like OWASP.
• Enrol in a Course: Several courses can help you build a career in cyber security. One such course is Digital Regenesys’ Cyber Security Course. This course provides in-depth knowledge of essential topics such as network security, ethical hacking, and risk management. After completion, participants will receive a globally recognised certificate. 

In conclusion, cyber security is a system that protects sensitive data and prevents financial and reputational losses. Organisations must adopt a multi-layered approach to protect their networks and systems data from phishing, malware, and ransomware threats. The key strategies are network security, data encryption, and incident response management. These are supported by specialised tools and technologies such as Wireshark and Burp Suite. Learning the fundamentals of cyber security and acquiring hands-on skills through platforms such as Digital Regenesys can help one build a strong career in this field.

FAQs on What is Cyber Security?