November 22, 2021

Elements of Cybersecurity Solutions

There are many different solutions for different scenarios, but they all follow the same general process. This article will take you through each step.

The first step is to identify the environment in which your security solution will exist. This includes all of the devices connected to the internet, which are able to interact with each other, as well as attacks that can originate from them. There are many different types of attacks, but they can be broken down into two categories: external and internal. External attacks are those that originate from outside your home or organization, while internal ones are generally executed by members within the group.

Internal security solutions usually focus on the protection of information like data confidentiality  and integrity from malware, Trojans, and other attacks initiated by humans. External solutions try to reduce the amount of malware reaching your network in the first place.

Network Security

Network security is most commonly used in organizations to protect both credit card numbers and private personal information, like names and addresses. This type of security system generally includes multiple identification methods, such as usernames and passwords, PINs (personal identification numbers), smart cards, tokens with changing PINs (tokens can be programmed to change their PIN values daily or even by a specific time), or even biometrics such as fingerprints, retinal scans, or voice recognition.

In the world of cyber security, data encryption is one of the most important and widely used elements. Encryption can be thought of as a mathematical algorithm to encode information so that it is only decipherable by authorized individuals with an encryption key. There are three general types of encryption: symmetric, asymmetric, and hashing.

Although encryption and hashing are used to protect data, such methods cannot prevent an attack on the system’s network connection itself. This is where authentication comes into play. Authentication verifies that connections between two systems can be trusted.

The first level of authentication, which should be used by default, is to require users to enter a username and password before accessing any data on the server. This method is usually combined with another type of authentication called two-factor authentication (2FA), where there are at least two factors that must be present in order for access to be granted. For example, many online banking systems require a password and a PIN in addition to an account number.

Application Security

The protection of an organization’s people, reputation, and revenue is the responsibility of managers at every level in the organization. The following explains each element of cyber defense in terms of how it protects people, reputation, and revenue.

Every security solution must protect against threats that exploit vulnerabilities associated with applications software technology used by the organization to process data. Application software includes operating systems (OS) and database management systems (DBMS) that support the services offered by an organization to its customers.

Application software vulnerabilities can result in data breaches that could have a negative impact on employment – i.e., loss of jobs due to reduction in workforce, outsourcing of IT operations, and use of temporary workers. If data security policies and procedures are not enforced, employees may put sensitive information at risk, which could result in employment lawsuits.

When an application software vulnerability is exploited to access customer or company financial information, there is a risk of revenue loss – i.e., fines (franchise and licensing agreements with payment card industry), possible bankruptcy (if the organization cannot meet its liabilities), and decreased market share (from loss of customer confidence).

Endpoint Security

Endpoint security solutions are a subset of security solutions. Endpoint solutions provide defense against malware and other cyber threats at the most vulnerable part of any network: the endpoint device. Endpoint devices such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones can be compromised easily through downloads and web browsing.

An active virus is capable of spreading from one computer to another without assistance from the user. In this way, endpoint security also prevents data or privacy theft, or the destruction of data through ransomware.

Endpoint security helps to prevent malware such as worms and trojan horses, which can mobilize other devices on a network against it. It also prevents viruses, spyware, and adware from affecting an entire system.

To prevent these threats from infiltrating networks, endpoint solutions must implement several layers of defense. These solutions often include firewalls, antivirus software, spam filters, and web content filters that are designed to work together to detect the presence of malware or other threats before they can affect a device or network.

This set of layers works hand-in-hand with policies designed to protect both devices and networks at the endpoint. These policies often cover the use of removable devices, such as USB drives and CD-ROMs, but can also include a ban on social networking websites and certain types of web content.

Endpoint solutions can be integrated with security solutions throughout a network. For example, an area protected by a firewall could have additional endpoint protections in place to further prevent malware from spreading across the network.

Endpoint solutions are essential parts of any cybersecurity strategy, not only because they protect the vulnerable endpoint devices but also because they work in tandem with other security layers to create a comprehensive defense for networks.

Data Security

Data security is a growing issue as the number of people using the internet has increased at an incredible rate. In addition, many new devices are being connected to networks, which expands their attack surface and may introduce new security vulnerabilities.

A person only needs one entry into a system for an attacker to gain access. The goal of data security is to prevent attackers from gaining access to the system.

When designing a security solution, several elements must be considered. For example, administrative controls are designed to limit physical or logical access to resources and data, while giving authorized individuals permission to perform tasks and functions on the system. This control cannot be bypassed because it is enforced by administrative personnel.

Physical controls are designed to limit physical access to resources and data. The goal of this control is to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing the system. A thief will not be able to take a laptop out of an office if there is no physical path, such as power or network cables, between the office and the external world.

A user must be identified before performing a task, such as accessing a resource or sending a message. In some cases, identification is required multiple times. For example, while accessing a resource on the internet, not only does an individual need to be identified, but also the device that is connecting to the internet.

Group authentication requires that one person in a group of people can identify another person in the group before they are given connectivity to network resources. This standard provides identification across all members of a group, but does not provide separation between groups.

Individual authentication requires that one person in a group be able to identify another person before they are given connectivity to network resources. This standard allows for separation between groups and provides identification across all members of a group.

Identity Management

One of the most prevalent issues in modern computing is identity management. Identity theft and the threat of unauthorized access to data both present very real dangers that can ultimately lead to loss of privacy, assets, and potentially even life. Several solutions have been developed to combat these threats, but there is no one solution which truly has the potential to solve all issues.

The first solution is identity management (or ids). When identity management protocols are used, login information can be entered into an application or website as normal. At this point, the identity management system can issue a token that allows access to the application or website for a predefined period of time (usually minutes, hours, days, weeks; rarely months; sometimes infinitely).

Rather than entering login information every time an online service is accessed, users only need to enter their login details once. This system allows many different services to be accessible with just one set of login credentials, much like how having a library card at multiple libraries allows access to all the libraries. However, it is important that users do not save their login information within an application or website to prevent unauthorized, real-time logins by other parties.

Identity management solutions must be implemented into every application and website where login details are entered for security purposes.

Everywhere that uses an ids, or authentication protocol from a third party company will make it a lot easier to keep track of their privacy, also if they get hacked it won’t impact them as much because the hacker needs to get in through another system, not the system that hosts the data.

Another potential solution to these security issues is authentication solutions. Authentication protocols are used in a similar way to identity management protocols, however rather than only allowing access for a predefined period of time, applications or websites can be set up to require re-authentication prior to every use. In this way, if a user’s token is stolen in a phishing or man-in-the-middle attack, or even guessed correctly by chance, the activity of the malicious party being logged into the system will be very limited in scope.

Cybersecurity solutions are important for protecting consumer data on any platform.  Cybersecurity has become a hot topic in the 21st century, and it is essential to take precautions against losing sensitive information to criminals that could compromise your identity.

Many people do not realize that their personal data is stored online, which makes them more susceptible to hacking. Because of this, it is important to take the necessary steps to protect your data from being jeopardized. Stay informed and up to date by visiting Bayshore Interactive’s blog!

 

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