Cybersecurity: A Brief Introduction
Even though the presence of security threats such as viruses was still present but the
conciseness about cybersecurity did not really start uplifting until the development of web.
The presence of more than millions of machines over the internet has given programmers the
edge to test their abilities now more than ever. Though these abilities might contribute
positively but some individuals do not use it in the ethical way hence resulting in site cut
downs, extracting personal data, or submitting extortion intro the servers. It's something we
currently call cybercrime. Chances of cybercrimes have increased exponentially as almost 3.4
billion people are currently on the web (almost half of the world’s population). To tackle this
is a multidisciplinary approach that is focused on both forestalling cybercrimes happening or
if attack has taken place already then limiting and containing its impact. This is the use of
cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is an ever progressing and dynamic procedure just as the
problems it seeks to target. the question is what would happen when the security falls short?
The answer is everyday news we hear about the breaches of client accounts and the
distribution of names and passwords of these accounts on the web. The main motive is almost
always the attainment of monetary profit, or the robbery of basic business or government
insights for unethical purposes. As we coordinate innovation further into our operations, the
open doors for misuse develop. So as well, at that point, should the barriers we utilize to stop
them through the instruction and practice of cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity: History and Evolution
John von Neumann, a Mathematician, predicted the idea of viruses in the late 1940s. It was
not until 1971 when the screens of some users popped up with the lines “I’m the creeper,
catch me if you can.” Creeper was the first-ever virus to be developed, its kind was a worn,
which basically is a type of virus that spreads to other systems and is able to replicates itself.
Created by Bold, Beranek, and Newman, Creeper was only capable of displaying messages
on user screens. Following this, concern about cybersecurity began rising. With the
development of the first browser, Netscape also started developing the Secure Sockets Layer
(SSL) internet protocol. Which makes your browser safe to use? It was rolled out in 1995.
Research work on cybersecurity also skyrocketed after the development of the first virus.
First Nobel conference of cybersecurity took place in 1993. It is named DEF CON and
originally started with only 100 people, most recently 20,000 cybersecurity professionals
from around the world took part in it.
Another major event in the history of cybersecurity evolution took place on Oct. 1, 2003. The
first universally known hacker group anonymous was born. It is a decentralized, anarchic
group of hackers. It gained national attention when it hacked the Church of Scientology
website with Distributed Denial of Services attacks. The group is linked with various high-
profile attacks, most recently it exposed Jefferey Epstein in child sex trafficking, who also
had good ties with the current president of the United States. Their main goal is to support
weak against powerful. After that On Jan. 12 of 2010, Google announced “Operation Aurora”
to protect its infrastructure in China. It was later discovered that the true intent of the attack
was to identify Chinese intelligence operatives in the U.S. The attacks hit more than 50
companies in various sectors.
Types of cyber Attacks
1. Malwares
It is a type of attack where user unknowingly opens unauthentic sources on the
internet which then enables the system to install spyware as well as
ransomware. Spywares are used to get personal information while ransomware
are utilized to block access to certain networks or sites, depending on the
development of virus.
2. Distributed Denial of Services
This type is used to makes servers unavailable to clients by initiating a number
of requests thereby overloading the server.
3. Phishing
In this type the threat is posed a source which trusts and then clicks on it,
clicking the link result in losing target information.
4. Main in the Middle Attack
This type of attack take lace when the attacker steal the credentials of
transaction taking place between two parties. It happens when one of them does
not have a secure connection.
Major Cybersecurity Problems
1. Cyberwarfare: A Threat to National Security
the term is applied to a cyberattack that has the support of one country with the plan of
harming another. The U.S. Congressional Research Service in a 2015 report defined cyber
warfare as a state-on-state activity, proportionate to an equipped assault or utilization of
internet in such a way that could trigger a military reaction."
Strategies to conduct a warfare include including tainting a PC framework with malware,
holding it prisoner with ransomware, handicapping it with a surge of messages (a DDoS
attack), or hacking information with the end goal of undercover work or even launching of a
missile. An example of cyberwarfare could be Russia’s use of web-based social networking
to influence the elections in western countries, most prominently the 2016 U.S. presidential,
another example of cyberwarfare is the development of Stuxnet worm by Israeli and US
intelligence services to attack the nuclear plants in Iran in 2009. Other examples of
cyberwarfare include the complete power shutdown in Ukraine by Russia. Other threats
include the scrambling of bank records to cause budgetary frenzy; impedance with the dams
and atomic plants; or blinding of radar and focusing on frameworks of warrior planes.
2. Services and privacy: A threat to Personal Security
Progressively in our computerized world services come at the expense of protection. There is
an inalienable trade-off of utilizing the new technology and putting at stake out personal data.
though some infringement of security over the information we share is acknowledged, it
regardless stays a crucial basis of our general interest and must factor into any advancements.
currently, there is nothing of the sort as a 100% secure network, any data stored on servers
has the potential to be breached in.
Future of cybersecurity
Challenges
1. Leadership
Every society is built on the trust so is the basis of security itself. This security promotes
reliability among users and technology. For instance, if the users are not sure their personal
data is secured it will have user change their providers, all because of the lack of reliability. It
points towards the importance of committed leadership to handle issues regarding
cybersecurity, steering the governance operations, supporting the private sector, and the use
of education to promote reliability among all stakeholders.
2. Collaboration
It is a widespread practice that business try to hide the security breaches due to the fact that it
might decrease market value of their stocks. Keeping this information secret only makes
others vulnerable to the attack and hinders the development of protective software and
security systems because. Without the information about the attack, defense against it cannot
be prepared so it is important for the different stakeholders to share information with each
other and collaborate to find a solution.
3. Legal and Regulatory
Collaboration is important but there might be instances where sharing of the information
might be prohibited by law and might be considered breach of privacy in that case it is
important to revise the laws and regulations to ensure collaboration and easy flow of
information without consequences.
Opportunities
1. Cybersecurity: A New Career Path
The need for cybersecurity officials is growing now more than ever with a 75% increase in
the last year. We now need professionals such as Analyst, Architect and Engineers in the
field of cyber security. With the development of modern technology, the demand for these
professions will only increase. Israel can be considered one example in this regard as it is one
of the largest manufacturer of security related products and software This is important to note
that Israel had major exports of agriculture around half a century ago, compared to now the
main exports are software. It is leading the global market with 228 manufacturer this field. In
the meantime, the size of cyber security sector has almost doubled after the announcement of
cybersecurity strategy.
2. Leveraging technology talent
A joint effort of government, industry, and research associations to boost new turns of events
and monetize research to offer items and services for sale to the public will be key in the
coming times. This incorporates empowering innovative thinking. Diversity is also a basic
part to satisfy the need for talented ICT professionals and workers. This incorporates using a
more prominent extent of our mature workforce and arousing enthusiasm for ICT in women,
who are underrepresented in the sector of technology. women only hold 28% of the total
Information technology sector jobs.
What Can be Done?
Securing our online places an protecting our personal data comes down to the responsibility
of government providing a secure environment for online transactions and businesses to
manufacture the inherently protective devices and eventually to the users (us as an
individual).
1. Government
Leaders must know that cyber is one of their essential functions. Governments should
continue to remove barriers either through deregulation or positive action to ensure the
adoption of cybersecurity practices. Governments should also provide awareness as we as
resources to people to educate themselves about the need and importance of cybersecurity.
Government should ensure that employees are well trained and aware with greater
cooperation between al tiers of government. With that being said it is also important that
systems are up to date to improve security measures as well as credentials should also be
updated regularly.
2. Educational and Research Institutions
educational institutions from pre-school through to college all have a crucial impact on the
STEM-based aptitudes, on which the discipline of cybersecurity is dependent. Inside research
and scholastic organizations, the consequences of the works might be basic in any number of
ways, thus if not as of now the entrance to and treatment of information should be guided by
strong cybersecurity standards to limit or forecast any loss through a cyberattack. the absolute
most significant step to take is to draw attention towards the need for cybersecurity along
with the lines of highlighting subsequent measures.
3. Business and Enterprises
It is highly significant for the people holding executive positions to be knowledgeable in
cybersecurity languages and the threats that are specific to their businesses. It is also
important that a position of Chief Information Security Officer or Chief Security Officer be
created, and they can raise concerns and work with the Board of Directors. Additionally,
guarantee clear and simple lines of correspondence between security, IT staff, and upper
administration – these workers are the cutting edge of safeguard. as we are aware that no
business run in a vacuum, the equivalent is valid for cybersecurity. it should be realized that
we may have all the best arrangements and techniques available to us yet be vulnerable
because of an outsider, for example, providers or merchants. It is imperative to guarantee
they, as well, have sufficient cybersecurity arrangements and assets to ensure themselves and
the organizations they work with. bottom line is that it's critical to guarantee your IT staff are
prepared with cutting-edge capabilities, the time
4. Individual Responsibility
Since we utilize an assortment of gadgets on daily basis, cybersecurity isn't just about
securing corporate systems or organization resources. Every one of us has a lot of
information – individual data – that is ought to stay secret and not be utilized against us as a
coercive measure to launch wars and affect others in a negative way
As an individual, we could do the following to protect ourselves as well as a fellow global
citizen
• Use random password generators to create passwords for your accounts. Use different
passwords for each account.
• Utilize two factor authentications. It prevents attackers from entering your account
even if they have your credentials.
• Do not give out your personal data to suspicious emails. Try and learns more about
phishing frauds. It should be kept in mind n organization will ever ask for your
passwords.
• Do not cater popups. Do not install unauthorized applications from unknown sources.
• Frequently update your applications as they contain better security patches to protect
you from any online attack.
Conclusion
Cybers attacks are on the rise todays with State entities being most vulnerable to them.
Nations should put more emphasis into building capacity for cybersecurity sector. Businesses
should consider the threats they face working in this digital environment and should foster
collaborative efforts to build better defenses. Cybersecurity experts believe that a cyberwar
may erupt soon resulting in loss of human life and destruction of infrastructure. It is there
important to direct resources towards better security.
References
A Brief History of Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity Insiders. Retrieved July 18, 2020, from
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A Brief History of Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity Insiders. Retrieved July 19, 2020, from
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ACS (2016, November). Cybersecurity Threats Challenges Opportunities (Rep.). Retrieved
July 19, 2020, from [Link] website: [Link]
publications/ACS_Cybersecurity_Guide.pdf
Tiirmaa-Klaar, H. (2011). Cyber security threats and responses at global, nation-state,
industry and individual levels. CERI SciencesPo. Retrieved July 19, 2020, from
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