"Computer security, cyber security, digital security or information technology security (IT security) is the protection of computer systems and networks from attacks by malicious actors that may result in unauthorized information disclosure, theft of, or damage to hardware, software, or data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide."
Understanding how to protect personal, financial and institutional information from cyber-attacks and protect oneself from online identity theft.
Cybersecurity basics: This topic revolves around the fundamental security concepts and terminologies. Understanding the basics of cybersecurity is essential to know how vulnerabilities can be exploited and prevented.
Threats and risks: Cybersecurity risks and threats refer to the dangers that arise in cyberspace such as viruses, malware, and phishing scams. This topic covers different types of cyber threats and how to identify them.
Network security: Network security involves protecting computer networks from unauthorized access, misuse, and destruction. Essentially, this topic explores ways to secure computer networks against online threats.
Wireless security: Wireless security focuses on protecting wireless networks from unauthorized access and attacks. This topic covers different wireless security protocols, such as WEP, WPA, and WPA2, and ways to safeguard against unwanted access.
Cloud security: Cloud security encompasses the measures used to protect data stored in cloud computing environments. This topic covers data privacy, data protection, and ways to secure cloud-based systems.
Incident response: Incident response refers to controls and procedures taken when responding to a security incident. This topic includes how to identify and respond to security incidents, as well as ways to restore services quickly and minimize damage.
Cryptography: Cryptography is the science of writing secret codes or using secret keys to encrypt and decrypt messages. This topic covers different types of encryption and decryption techniques, including symmetric and asymmetric cryptography.
Privacy and compliance: Privacy and compliance involve adhering to rules and regulations when handling private information. This topic covers different privacy regulations, including HIPAA, GDPR, and CCPA, and ways to ensure that sensitive data is protected.
Social engineering: Social engineering refers to exploiting people's psychology to manipulate them into revealing confidential information. This topic covers different social engineering techniques such as phishing, pretexting, and baiting.
Penetration testing and vulnerability assessments: Penetration testing and vulnerability assessments involve testing an organization's security controls to identify vulnerabilities and confirm the effectiveness of its security measures. This topic covers different types of penetration testing and vulnerability assessments.
Legal and ethical considerations: This topic covers the legal and ethical issues that arise in cybersecurity, including issues such as intellectual property theft, cyberstalking, and cyberbullying.
Disaster recovery: Disaster recovery refers to the process of restoring normal business operations after a disaster, including cyber attacks. This topic covers different disaster recovery strategies, including backup and restoration, and ways to minimize downtime.
Cybersecurity awareness and training: Cybersecurity awareness and training aims to educate people about how to protect themselves and their organizations from cyber threats. This topic covers different training and awareness programs, including security awareness training for employees.
Password hygiene: This refers to the practices followed by an individual, such as creating strong and unique passwords, changing them frequently, and avoiding the use of easily guessable phrases or personal information.
Phishing awareness: This is the ability to identify and avoid phishing scams that attempt unauthorized access to sensitive data by tricking users into revealing their login credentials.
Virus/malware protection: This is the ability to protect personal and organizational devices from viruses, spyware, Trojans, and other malicious software by installing antivirus and antimalware software and keeping it updated.
Web browsing safety: This includes the ability to use safe browsing practices such as avoiding clicking suspicious links, downloading from trusted websites, and checking for HTTPS protocol.
Social media awareness: This is the ability to use social media safely, identifying fake accounts and protecting personal information online.
Network Security: This is the ability to protect and secure computer network infrastructure from unauthorized access by hackers, malware, and other types of cyber threats.
Data encryption: This is the ability to use tools such as VPNs, encryption software, and secure file transfer protocols to secure sensitive data.
Mobile device security: This includes the ability to handle mobile devices securely, protecting against phishing, malware, data theft, and other cyber threats.
Cloud security: This is the ability to keep cloud resources safe and secure, including authentication, identity management, and data protection.
Awareness of emerging security threats: This includes staying up-to-date with new types of cyber threats such as ransomware, cryptojacking, and other advanced malware attacks.
Ethical hacking: This is the ability to understand the basics of ethical hacking, performing penetration testing to assess the security strength of a system, and identifying vulnerabilities.
Cybersecurity regulations/compliance: This is the ability to understand cybersecurity laws, policies, and regulations in a particular industry or sector, such as HIPAA, FISMA, GDPR.
Incident response: This involves the ability to respond quickly to a security incident by identifying threats and implementing procedures to minimize damage and restore normal operations.
Cybersecurity awareness training: This involves training employees about cybersecurity best practices, policies, and procedures to mitigate risks and prevent cyberattacks.
"Attacks by malicious actors that may result in unauthorized information disclosure, theft of, or damage to hardware, software, or data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide."
"The field is significant due to the expanded reliance on computer systems, the Internet, and wireless network standards such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi."
"The expanded reliance on computer systems, the Internet, and wireless network standards such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi."
"Due to the growth of smart devices, including smartphones, televisions, and the various devices that constitute the Internet of things (IoT)."
"Cybersecurity is one of the most significant challenges of the contemporary world."
"Due to both the complexity of information systems and the societies they support."
"Security is of especially high importance for systems that govern large-scale systems with far-reaching physical effects."
"Systems that govern large-scale systems with far-reaching physical effects, such as power distribution, elections, and finance."
"The protection of computer systems and networks from attacks by malicious actors."
"Unauthorized information disclosure."
"Theft of hardware, software, or data."
"Disruption or misdirection of the services they provide."
"Computer systems and networks."
"Wireless network standards such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi."
"Smartphones, televisions, and the various devices that constitute the Internet of things (IoT)."
"The expanded reliance on computer systems, the Internet, and wireless network standards such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi."
"Computer security, cyber security, digital security or information technology security (IT security)."
"Systems that govern large-scale systems with far-reaching physical effects, such as power distribution, elections, and finance."
"Attacks by malicious actors that may result in unauthorized information disclosure, theft of, or damage to hardware, software, or data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide."