Nov 03, 2022
by Aisha

The growing number of websites and applications getting hacked is an indication that this threat should be taken seriously. In order to secure your content against infiltration.

Cybersecurity is about protecting networks, websites, applications, software, devices, etc. from unauthorized and dangerous invasion. It can include various basic categories and is used in a wide range of applications.

Categories of Cybersecurity

 

1- Operational security

This is the procedural security that involves the process of risk management, the decisions regarding handling and protecting the data assets, and the permissions users have about the accessibility to the entire network. These processes encourage managers to take serious measures and think from the standpoint of an adversary in order to prevent the information from getting into the wrong hands.

There are five distinct operational security steps.

Determine your sensitive data

Such as the development of your products, your intellectual property, your financial records, your client database, and your staff database. You should concentrate your efforts on safeguarding this information.

Determine potential threats

You should determine the hazards that exist for each type of information that you deem sensitive. Along with outsiders attempting to steal your information, you need to also be on the lookout for insider dangers like careless staff and unsatisfied workers.

An analysis of security vulnerabilities

Review and check your pre-existing security guards to make sure no loophole or weakness in them has been exploited to gain access.

Evaluate the extent of risks

Ranking your vulnerabilities takes into account elements including the likelihood that an assault will occur, the degree of harm you will sustain, and the time and effort required to recover. The more likely and destructive an attack is, the more important risk mitigation becomes.

Keep countermeasures organized

Making and putting into action a plan to get rid of threats and reduce risks is the last step in operational security. Your technology may need to be updated, new policies involving sensitive data may need to be developed, or staff members may need to be trained on good security procedures and corporate regulations. Countermeasures should be uncomplicated and obvious. With or without extra training, employees should be able to carry out the necessary actions on their own.

2- Application security

Application security is the term for security methods used to prevent data theft and code piracy at the application level. It encompasses security concerns that are raised during the development and design of applications as well as the systems and techniques used to protect apps once they have been used.

Different kinds of application security features are present, including

Authentication

It is the process that ensures access is gained by the authorized individuals or owners only. This is also important because it confirms that the user's identity is true to what they say. It can be implemented by asking for a username and a password when the user attempts to gain access to an application.

Authorization

A user can get access once they receive the authentication to use the respective program. User authentication can be verified with a list of authorized individuals to verify their access to the program. Prior to permission, authentication is required so that the program can only compare user credentials that have been verified with the list of allowed users.

Encryption

Sensitive data can be protected in cloud-based apps by encrypting the communication that moves between the cloud and the end user.

Logging

Logging helps to know who accessed the data and if any security breach has taken place in the application. A log file offers a record of which application feature was accessed and who did it.

Application security testing

It is important to ensure that all the security measures work properly.

3- Information security

Information security refers to the procedures and tactics used by corporations to protect customer information (or InfoSec). This involves putting in place safeguards to prevent burglars from accessing any private information.

There are three basic principles:

Confidentiality

Measures to maintain confidentiality are intended to stop unlawful information dissemination. The confidentiality principle's goals are to maintain the privacy of personal information and guarantee that only the people who require it to carry out their organizational duties can see it and access it.

Integrity

Protection from unwanted data changes (additions, deletions, revisions, etc.) is a component of consistency. The integrity principle guarantees data accuracy and trustworthiness. Also that it is not improperly manipulated.

Availability

The capacity of a system to make data and software completely accessible when a user wants it is protected by availability (or at a specified time). The goal of availability is to make all the data, technological assets, and applications accessible when they are required for a business or organization to profit.

4- Network security

This practice includes securing your network from intruders, opportunistic malware, and targeted attackers. It includes the policies and procedures that can help prevent and detect any misuse, unauthorized access, etc.

Two types of network security protection are firewalls and network segmentation.

Firewall

Firewalls control network traffic by applying pre-set security policies. Since they stop harmful traffic, firewalls are a crucial part of everyday computing. Firewalls are essential to network security, especially Next Generation Firewalls that concentrate on thwarting malware and application-layer attacks.

Network segmentation

When assets within a group share a function, risk, or role within an organization, network segmentation establishes boundaries between those groups of assets. By preventing potential outside threats, sensitive data of an organization is kept within the network. Organizations can take things a step further by creating more internal network borders, which can enhance security and access management.

5- End-user education

End-user training takes care of the human component of cyber security. Anyone who does not follow these security practices is at risk of unknowingly getting a virus into an otherwise protected system.

6- Disaster recovery and business continuity

Disaster recovery and business continuity are the defining characteristics of an organization's reaction when a cybersecurity breach happens or another event causes the loss of operations or data. Disaster recovery procedures specify how the company restores its activities and data to resume normal operations in the same manner as before the incident. The organization's backup plan, which it uses when operating without specific resources, is called "business continuity."

Safety tips against cyber threats

  • Keep your software, applications, and operating systems upgraded.
  • Use anti-virus software.
  • Create well-built passwords.
  • Avoid opening email attachments from unknown senders.
  • Avoid accessing links on unfamiliar websites or from unknown senders.
  • Refrain from using insecure WiFi networks at public places.