The last few years have been tough for companies in terms of cyber and network security, with repeated security attacks taking place against some large companies around the world, such as Maersk and Equifax. This has led to system shutdowns and valuable consumer data being stolen. This is a threat to personal and financial security. No realm of public or private life is safe from cyberattacks, from political campaigns to credit card companies. When faced with an increasingly digital future, the least your company can do is to keep updated with cybersecurity basics. These are the most important recent keywords that you need to familiarize yourself with in order to understand the security risks facing your company.
1. Malware
This provides some of the biggest threat to cybersecurity. This broad term encompasses all kinds of software that can be inserted into a network that can disrupt it, stealing information and causing system shutdowns. Examples of malware include viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and ransomware. The best line of defence against them include antiviruses and good security training within the company.
2. Encryption
This roughly refers to the process of making information inaccessible to anyone other than the user who has sent it and the user who is meant to receive it. This works by encoding data sent out using a cryptographic code, which is only decodable if you have the key for the encryption. This way, important information such as credit card details and sensitive messages remain secure. Encryption is the basis of all modern cybersecurity measures.
3. Blockchain
In its simplest form, a blockchain is a block of transactions linked together by a timestamp, which is made visible to anyone with a computer in a sort of ledger. This has been hailed as a transformational technology as it has boosted online security in novel ways. It is also a democratic platform; it is free for all to use, for any kind of and any number of transactions. It is thought that this technology will disrupt banking and finance in a big way.
4. Cloud
Cloud computing is another tech invention that has now taken over and simplified the lives of everyone around the world. The cloud is virtual space provided by data centres that can be accessed remotely. Information, software and all kinds of web applications can live on the cloud. Even processing can take place on the cloud, and it is much faster and cheaper for companies to move to the cloud.
5. Endpoint
You will run across this word very often when learning about network security. The endpoint is the most vulnerable point in the network. It refers to a point that is a remote computing device sending and receiving information over a network. This is the point targeted by cyberattackers who try to install codes or hack into systems using vulnerabilities in the software or user.
These are simply some of the most basic cybersecurity terms. They can serve as a jumping point for you to delve further into Internet security. Remember that protecting your system is important, and there are resources available to help you do this.
