Cybersecurity – The Ultimate Guide

Cybersecurity, also known as computer security, encompasses a range of methods and practices aimed at safeguarding computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. It plays a crucial role in various areas, from businesses to mobile technology. Let’s explore the main categories within cybersecurity:

1. Network Security

Network security involves taking actions to protect computer networks from targeted attacks or malware threats.

2. Application Security

Application security focuses on protecting devices from threats that criminals can hide within programs. Ensuring application security begins during the development stage, long before it becomes available to the public.

3. Information Security

Information security involves safeguarding the integrity and privacy of data during storage and transmission.

4. Operational Security

Operational security encompasses handling and protecting information assets. This category includes managing network access permissions, as well as defining rules for data storage and transmission.

5. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

Disaster recovery and business continuity involve responding to security incidents and other events that could disrupt systems or lead to data loss. It encompasses rules and plans for dealing with the impact of an attack and restoring business processes.

6. Raising Awareness

Raising awareness focuses on educating users to reduce the impact of the human factor in cybersecurity. Even the most secure systems can be vulnerable to attacks due to human error or ignorance. Organizations should conduct training for employees, emphasizing important rules such as avoiding opening suspicious email attachments or connecting questionable USB devices.

Effective information protection aims to prevent or minimize the risks of cyberattacks, data leaks, damage, and system disruptions.

Cyber Attacks and Their Impacts

Cyber attacks are carried out with the intention of gaining illegal access to devices, networks, and infrastructure. They can result in the loss of confidential information, financial theft, disruption of business processes, and significant reputational and financial damage.

To counter these threats, cybersecurity specialists play a vital role in protecting confidential data and preventing integrity breaches. As the need for digital asset protection continues to grow, professionals in this field will remain in high demand.

Elements of Cybersecurity Measures

Cybersecurity measures comprise organizational and technical elements. The following three components form the foundation of protective measures against cyber threats:

1. Company Staff

The human factor often contributes to information security vulnerabilities. Therefore, personnel training is crucial for preventing incidents. Employees should be educated about the importance of setting complex passwords, changing them regularly, handling confidential information appropriately, and performing data backups.

2. Security Tools

Devices requiring protection must be equipped with appropriate security tools to ensure robust defense against threats.

3. Information Environment Protection

Information security is an ongoing process that requires continuous modernization. The protection system should be regularly updated to safeguard the IT infrastructure against evolving threats.

Understanding the CIA Triad

The CIA triad, which stands for confidentiality, integrity, and availability, serves as a guiding model for shaping security policies. These three principles form the pillars of security within an organization.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality involves safeguarding personal or private information, ensuring it remains known only to the authorized parties and is not disclosed to others, including employees, friends, or family.

Integrity

Integrity focuses on ensuring that data remains authentic, accurate, and protected against unauthorized changes or modifications by users within computer systems.

Availability

Availability refers to the accessibility of information or resources within a computer system. It ensures that users can access the required information or resources in the correct format and location.

Implementing Cybersecurity Measures

Implementing cybersecurity involves several procedures. Here are the three main steps for addressing security issues:

1. Problem Recognition

The first step is to identify the problem causing the security issue, such as a denial of service attack or an ongoing intrusion. Recognition of the problem is essential to initiate appropriate actions.

2. Problem Assessment and Analysis

After recognizing the problem, a thorough assessment and analysis are conducted. This step involves isolating compromised data and information, understanding the extent of the attack, and identifying potential vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.

3. Patch Development

Once the problem is assessed, the final step is to develop a patch or solution that fixes the security issue and restores the organization’s systems to a working state.

During the detection, analysis, and treatment of a cyberattack, three key principles are considered: vulnerability, threat, and risk. These principles guide various calculations and decision-making processes to effectively counter cyber threats.

The Benefits of Cybersecurity

Utilizing cybersecurity offers several advantages, including:

• Protection against malware, ransomware, phishing, and social engineering
• Securing data and system setups
• Increased confidence from both developers and customers in the product
• Protection from unauthorized access
• End-user protection

Popular Professions in Cybersecurity

Within the field of cybersecurity, various professions exist. Let’s explore some of the main specializations:

1. Antifraud Analyst

Antifraud analysts work in fintech companies and the banking sector. They focus on protecting individuals’ online transactions, monitoring cash transactions, and analyzing investments to identify suspicious activities.

2. Reverse Engineering Specialist or Code Analyst

These specialists analyze program codes to identify vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for eliminating them. They possess programming knowledge and understand various types of vulnerabilities.

3. Information Security System (ISS) Developer

ISS developers combine programming skills with knowledge of data protection tools. They create corporate information security systems, working with DLP systems, cloud storage, programming languages, and antivirus solutions.

4. Forensic or Cybercrime Investigator

Forensic experts investigate information security incidents, tracing intrusion attempts, collecting evidence, and identifying cybercriminals. They possess programming skills, knowledge of system vulnerabilities, and expertise in cybersecurity laws.

5. Penetration Tester (Pentester)

Penetration testers simulate real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities in systems and improve security. They require in-depth knowledge of operating systems, networks, and the most vulnerable parts of corporate IT infrastructure.

6. Application Security Specialist

Application security specialists analyze the vulnerability of web applications and source code, using their skills in programming languages and knowledge of network protocols and programs.

7. DevSecOps Specialist

DevSecOps specialists focus on providing security throughout the entire application development process. They integrate security measures into programming, reducing the risk of misadministration and downtime.

8. Corporate IT Security Specialist

Corporate IT security specialists preserve data, prevent cyberattacks and information leakage, and strengthen information systems’ security. They possess knowledge of information security laws and practical skills in working with technologies.

Other cybersecurity professions include SOC analysts, security testers, security architecture specialists, virus analysts, computer forensics experts, and ethical (white) hackers.

Requirements for Cybersecurity Professionals

Cybersecurity specialists need to meet certain knowledge, skill, and ability requirements. Here’s a minimum set of requirements:

• Code reading and the ability to distinguish legitimate source code from intrusions
• Programming skills
• Understanding of popular hardware solutions, including PCs and servers
• Basic web layout knowledge
• Analytical skills and forecasting abilities
• Comprehensive knowledge of cyber attacks and protection measures
• Rapid assessment of security threats and identification of their sources
• Proficiency in working with popular DBMS and handling large data streams

Depending on their level of expertise, additional requirements may apply.

Junior

• Command line proficiency
• Database setup skills: Auditd, MySQL, Rsyslog, Apache2, Nginx, PostgreSQL
• Experience with antivirus programs and Windows OS setup
• Knowledge of Active Directory administration, Group Policy (GPO) configuration, and user rights management
• Understanding of IP addressing, static routing, TCP/IP, and ISO/OSI

Middle

• Proficiency in Windows and Linux administration
• Security analysis capabilities
• Experience with anti-intrusion systems and corporate antivirus solutions
• Experience in automated testing using Bash, Perl, Python
• Theoretical knowledge of TCP/IP, ISO/OSI, computer networks, and security of web applications

Senior

• Experience in investigating cybercrimes and collecting evidence
• Skills in working with specialized software, such as Maxpatrol, IBM Qradar, Splunk, Symantec Critical System Protection, and others
• Awareness of information security legal frameworks
• Understanding of primary methodologies, classifications, and practices like OWASP, OSSTMM, NIST SP800-115, and WASC
• Ability to detect cyber threats
• Knowledge of PCI DSS standards, STO BR IBBS, ISO 27xxx

These requirements may vary depending on the specific roles and responsibilities within the cybersecurity field.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures becomes increasingly important. By implementing effective cybersecurity practices, businesses and individuals can protect their digital assets and mitigate potential risks.