What is Cyber Security

What is Cyber Security? Is India prepared to protect itself from cyber-attacks?

What is Cyber Security? The technique of protecting computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from hostile intrusions. It’s also known as electronic information security or information technology security. The phrase is used in a range of contexts, ranging from business to mobile computing, and it may be broken down into a few categories.

What is Cyber Security
What is Cyber Security

NETWORK SECURITY- The practise of securing a computer network from intruders, whether targeted attackers or opportunistic malware, is known as network security.

APPLICATION SECURITY- Application security is concerned with ensuring that software and devices are free of dangers. A hacked application could allow access to the data it was supposed to secure. Security starts throughout the design phase, long before a programme or device is deployed.

INFORMATION SECURITY- Data integrity and privacy are protected by information security, both in storage and in transport.

OPERATIONAL SECURITY- The processes and decisions for handling and securing data assets are included in operational security. The protocols that dictate how and where data may be kept or exchanged, as well as the permissions users have while accessing a network, all fall under this umbrella.

The global cyber threat continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with a rising number of data breaches each year. A report revealed that a shocking 7.9 billion records have been exposed by data breaches in the 2021 alone.

Different types of cyber-threats
Cyber-security counters three types of threats: What is Cyber Security

  1. Cybercrime refers to individuals or groups who attack systems for monetary gain or to cause disruption.
  2. Politically motivated information collection is common in cyber-attacks.
  3. The goal of cyberterrorism is to generate panic or dread by undermining electronic systems.

Here are some of the most typical ways that cyber-security is jeopardised

Malware
Malware is a term that refers to malicious software. Malware is software designed by a cybercriminal or hacker to disrupt or damage a legitimate user’s computer. It is one of the most common cyber dangers. Malware, which is commonly sent by an unsolicited email attachment or a legitimate-looking download, can be used by cybercriminals to gain money or in politically motivated cyber-attacks.

Malware comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, including:

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Virus: A self-replicating programme that infects files with harmful code after attaching itself to a clean file and spreading throughout a computer system.

Trojans are a type of malware that masquerades as genuine software. Users are duped into downloading Trojans onto their computers, which then inflict damage or collect data.

Spyware is a type of software that secretly records what a user does so that hackers can profit from it. Spyware, for example, could record credit card information.

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a user’s files and data and threatens to delete them unless a ransom is paid.

Adware is a type of advertising software that can be used to distribute malware.

Botnets: Malware-infected computer networks used by hackers to do operations online without the user’s permission.

 Is India prepared to safeguard its infrastructure from cyber-attacks?

The pandemic posed a concern to India’s cybersecurity, resulting in the leaking of Covid-19 test results and a cyberattack on an airline service provider’s systems, which resulted in the leakage of 4.5 million passengers’ personal data. According to a survey by CrowdStrike, firms around the world take an average of seven days to respond to cybersecurity breaches, while Indian companies take roughly nine days. These figures have pushed India to the bottom of the rankings.

While India Cyber Security Strategy is in the works, there is a need for certain non-negotiable elements in our overall approach to fighting cybercrime in India. To begin with, we need a single nodal agency to enforce strict laws and penalise entities if they fail to step up their cybersecurity investments – much like what the RBI does with financial institutions and banks. Currently, there are multiple government agencies, both at the state and national level

NEXT STEP

What is Cyber Security? India is at a crossroads, and we must incorporate cybersecurity into our national agenda and weave it into broad strategic and socioeconomic efforts. India will need a strong cybersecurity plan to protect government systems, citizens, and the business environment in order to achieve this. This will not only assist citizens protect themselves from cyber-threats, but it will also enhance investor confidence in the economy.

It will also provide work opportunities in this field. According to recent predictions, there will be over 1.5 million job vacancies in the cybersecurity space by 2025, and Times Professional Learning provides a PG Certificate Programme in Cybersecurity to equip applicants with the necessary skills to succeed. The eight-month programme prepares students for positions such as cybersecurity analyst, network security specialist, cybersecurity manager, cybersecurity architect, and other C-level positions.