Cybersecurity: what is important to know about it and how to practice it every day

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Today’s technological solutions and opportunities offer many significant advantages. We can perform many activities remotely without leaving our homes—working, studying, shopping, accessing our bank accounts, and more. This saves time; however, without taking precautions, we can easily become targets for hackers. Learn more about cybersecurity and how to promote cyber awareness in the following article!

The Data Universe – or the Vast Expanse of Information

Cybersecurity is a set of actions taken to protect both corporate and personal data from unauthorized access and malicious use.

The three main principles of cybersecurity are:

• Confidentiality – ensuring that only authorized persons within an organization can access data;
• Integrity – ensuring that existing data cannot be altered within computer systems;
• Availability – ensuring that both employees and authorized persons outside the organization can access necessary information anytime.

We encounter various types of data in the digital environment every day. The Internet, or the World Wide Web, is a global communication system of data akin to a universe—containing endless information that grows daily. This is why the saying “What isn’t found on Google doesn’t exist” has become so popular. We can find almost anything online, from recipe ideas for dinner to instructions for building a spaceship. However, is all the available information true, safe, and trustworthy? Not at all.

Social Engineering: Illegal Access to Information

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Approximately 2,200 cyber-attacks occur globally each day, affecting an average of 800,000 people annually. These are significant numbers, and it’s worth noting that as the digital environment becomes increasingly essential, the value of data—and the desire to access it for malicious purposes—rises. This can include causing financial loss to a company, damaging its reputation, or leaking unflattering information about an individual on social media.

Hackers constantly find new ways to access information, data, and systems. Social engineering is a technical and psychological process used to manipulate people into doing things they otherwise would not. For example, fraudsters make phone calls, send suspicious messages from supposed social network “friends,” invite participation in lotteries, and create fake news portals to manipulate people into sharing sensitive data.

Phishing is one of the most common forms of social engineering, where fraudulent messages, like emails, are sent from seemingly legitimate companies and known individuals.

Practicing Cyber Awareness – Regular Knowledge and Skills Development

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A lack of cyber awareness can lead to unpredictable economic consequences and severely threaten national and international security. Therefore, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest developments in the cybersecurity world, always staying one step ahead of those seeking information illegally.

Unfortunately, the weakest link in this process is often the person, so companies must provide regular training for employees. Individuals must also be motivated to improve their understanding of cybersecurity and strengthen it in both their professional and personal lives.

At BDA, we offer the Certified Ethical Hacker course. This course teaches how to identify malicious attacks and use penetration testing tools, preparing you to take the international Certified Ethical Hacker V12 (CEH) certification exam.

As cybersecurity becomes more relevant, choose truly valuable and quality adult education provided by BDA!