Why is Cybersecurity Important – A Must in the Digital Age

Cybersecurity is a highly important branch of any modern business. Its main purpose is to protect your network and ensure that your files are safely stored and transferred through it. However, there’s more to it than that, so let’s start by answering the main question.

What Is Cybersecurity?

In a broader sense, cybersecurity is a branch of IT that focuses on protecting networks, systems, and applications from unauthorized access or any kind of digital attack.

Those attacks are usually made for the purpose of deleting or modifying sensitive data and illegally obtaining money from users. Some cyber security examples include antiviruses, antispyware, firewalls, and VPNs.

Cyber Threats

Any malicious act with the intent of harming your system, tampering with confidential data, or disrupting the normal digital processes of a user or a business is considered a cyber threat.

These threats may come from many different sources, but the most common ones are:

  • Hacktivists
  • Corporate spies and organized crime organizations
  • Terrorist groups
  • National cyber warfare programs
  • Resentful insiders
  • Hackers
  • Accidental actions of authorized users
  • Natural disasters

When discussing the importance of cybersecurity today, it’s worth mentioning that not all cyber threats need to come from individuals well-versed in computers and networking.

Accidents by authorized users or natural disasters are highly unpredictable but can still pose a high risk of data corruption and jeopardize the performance of the entire system’s infrastructure.

Examples of Cyber Threats

As technology progresses, so do the various types of cyber attacks. Although there are many different types of digital threats, it’s possible to group some common ones into a few general categories.

Malware

Malware is a type of software designed to perform malicious tasks on the target’s computer, which can include corrupting data and taking over the system.

The importance of cybersecurity, among other factors, lies in the effective defense against the many types of malware. These types include viruses, adware, trojans, worms, rootkits, and keyloggers.

Spyware

Spyware is a computer program that operates in secrecy on the target’s device. Its main purpose is sharing information in real-time with its host, therefore allowing them to steal sensitive information, such as passwords.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a malicious piece of software that partially limits or completely denies access to the target’s system until a ransom is paid, usually in Bitcoin or some other cryptocurrency.

It operates by encrypting files on the targeted device with a public key. What differentiates a ransomware program from other types of malware is the fact that the private encryption key stays on the attacker’s server, therefore letting them hold the data hostage.

When talking about the importance of cybersecurity, awareness can also help businesses recognize and prevent ransomware attacks, which comprised about 27% of the global malware-based data breaches in 2020.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

DDoS attacks serve the purpose of making the targeted service unavailable by sending an enormous amount of traffic from various locations and sources.

Cybercrime performed using this method is achieved by creating Botnets, which are big networks made up of devices infected by the implanted malicious software.

This type of attack is usually a distraction from other types of attempted cybercrime, but it can also have a purpose on its own, like forcing a company to lose money and/or consumers by blocking its services.

Spam and Phishing

If you’re wondering why cybersecurity is important for modern-day society, spamming and phishing are perfect examples.

Spamming includes repeated sending of unwanted content, such as emails and undesirable social media messages. Phishing involves pretending to be another person or a website of a business in order to gain information from their regular visitors or customers.

Usually, you would get a warning message about your account. It will contain a link that redirects to the fake website on which you’ll be required to input confidential information. This information would then be sent to the hacker.

Cybersecurity in Different Fields

Having a properly set-up cybersecurity mechanism for personal and business networks alike is vital. But why is cybersecurity important?

When installed correctly, it can protect your passwords, personal information, intellectual property, data in general, and even governmental and industry information systems.

Cybersecurity in Business

In order to operate hassle-free and without risks of downtime, businesses need to be properly equipped and educated.

This means that all employees should know the basics of it — to avoid downloading suspicious files from unknown sources and ignore spam emails, for example.

The importance of cybersecurity in business also relies on having good software protection against cyber attacks. It can help minimize the risks even further by filtering out suspicious files on your device in real-time through regular updates and scans.

Cybersecurity in Banking

Banking systems are some of the most vulnerable infrastructures, as they store a lot of sensitive information. If they’re not properly protected and backed up, it can cause serious problems in cash flows, leave affected accounts penniless, and corrupt other highly sensitive user data.

To ensure secure transactions and the safety of personal information, it’s become a standard for all banks to use encryption software. However, the importance of cyber security in the banking sector also relies on implementing other conventional protocols all businesses should use.

Cybersecurity in Healthcare

Healthcare is another sector of vital importance. As it progresses more into being fully digitized, the need to properly secure it becomes greater.

In order to properly secure a healthcare system, in addition to regular network and desktop protection, it’s also imperative to protect all Internet of Things (IoT)-based devices as well.

A healthcare facility should always have its data stored on devices that are properly secured —  both physically against any system failures and software-wise against unauthorized access.

The importance of cybersecurity in healthcare also implies securing the email servers, as emails are the primary communication channel in those facilities, and minimizing legacy software, which is no longer supported by the manufacturers.

Verdict

There are many ways to secure a business nowadays, regardless of which sector it operates in.

As a starting point, however, it’s essential to properly raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and educate the employees on standard security practices, including what they shouldn’t do online.

Basic cybersecurity software protocols, such as antivirus programs, are necessary for both businesses and private systems. They’re easy to set up, relatively affordable to maintain, and can ensure a more secure internet browsing experience.

FAQ

Why is it important to learn about cybersecurity?

Learning more about it can help you recognize different types of threats online and teach you how to avoid them, preventing them from taking over your system and stealing your personal information.

What are the 5 benefits of using cyber security?

The five primary benefits of using cybersecurity include:

  1. Having better website security.
  2. Improving organization and device tracking.
  3. Protecting your personal information.
  4. Denying different types of malware.
  5. Increasing productivity.

Why is cybersecurity important for students?

Educating them helps them secure their devices, pick their passwords more carefully, and have their data backed up at all times.

The importance of cybersecurity for students and children includes raising their awareness about many cyber threats lurking in online spaces and teaching them how to protect themselves properly.

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