What is Cybersecurity? Definition, Meaning, and Purpose

As we progress in our digitalization, the chances of becoming a target of damaging cyberattacks increase. While there is no way to stop the occurrence, staying vigilant and adopting a holistic security approach is key to surviving the attacks. The evolving threat landscape today emphasizes the need to analyze and dive deep into the core of cybersecurity, its evolution, and its role in preventing cyberattacks. So, what is cybersecurity, and why is it so important today? This blog discusses everything you must know about cybersecurity: what it is all about, its importance and benefits, the best certifications in the domain, and more.

Cybersecurity Defined

Cybersecurity is popularly defined as the practice of implementing tools, processes, and technology to protect computers, networks, electronic devices, systems, and data against cyberattacks. It is adopted by individuals and enterprises to limit the risks of theft, attack, damage, and unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, and sensitive user data. Since its inception in the 1970s, cybersecurity has undergone constant evolution. Today, cybersecurity is no longer restricted to the practice of protecting computers but individuals against malicious cyberattacks. The main purpose of cybersecurity is to prevent the leak of sensitive data while simultaneously ensuring cyber resilience to respond and recover from cyberattacks with minimal damage

Different Types of Cybersecurity

As cyberattacks become more innovative and complex, the scope and domains expand to encompass several disciplines. Based on its application areas, cybersecurity can be broadly classified into six distinct types:

• Application Security: While app integration into business models has streamlined operations, they have also created the potential for new security vulnerabilities. Application security is the process of integrating security mechanisms into web applications and programs to protect data against theft, unauthorized access, and damage.
• Network Security: Network security refers to the process of safeguarding internal computer networks and network components against cyberattacks by employing strong network security solutions like firewalls,anti-virus, anti-malware programs, data loss prevention (DLP), and other multi-layered threat prevention technologies.
• Infrastructure Security: This is the practice of safeguarding an organization’s critical infrastructure against cyberattacks. Unlike traditional perimeter-focused security models, organizations that rely on critical infrastructure must implement best practices and adopt “zero-trust” to protect their critical infrastructure against evolving cyberthreats.
• Cloud Security: Cloud security is the discipline of implementing security measures, policies, and technologies to protect cloud data and cloud computing systems from cyberthreats.
• Mobile Security: This is a security strategy implemented to protect sensitive information stored on mobile devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets from unauthorized access and data theft.
• IoT Security: While IoT solutions ensure operational efficiency and convenience, they create possibilities for new security vulnerabilities, too. IoT security is the act of employing tools and techniques to protect internet-connected devices from security risks.

It was demonstrated that SQL Injection currently represents about 65.1 percent (almost two-thirds) of all web application attacks. This is 44 percent above the web application layer attacks represented by SQLi in 2017 (Shen. R. Akamai. 2020). Many web applications have SQL injection vulnerabilities, indicating that fairly limited attention has been given to the security application development phase.

Most Common Types of Cybersecurity Threats

• Malware: Malware or malicious software are viruses, trojans, ransomware, spyware, etc., designed to gain unauthorized access to computer systems, servers, or networks. Malware can steal, delete, and encrypt data, disrupt business operations, and destroy computer systems.
• Password Attack: Password attacks are among the most prevalent cyberattacks. In them, the attacker employs special techniques and software to hack password-protected files, folders, accounts, and computers.
• Phishing: It is the most common form of password attack, sending fraudulent communications to targets over emails, texts, and calls while pretending to be from reputable and legitimate institutions (Rees, M., Expert Insights, 2024). Phishing attacks are generally performed to steal personal user data, login credentials, credit card numbers, etc.
• Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS): DDoS attacks are attempts to disrupt and overwhelm a target website with fake or synthetically generated internet traffic. They are becoming increasingly common and aim to cause serious financial and reputational damage to an organization.
• Man-In-The-Middle Attack (MITM): MITM is a kind of eavesdropping cyberattack in which an attacker joins an existing conversation between two legitimate parties, intercepts it, and secretly relays and alters conversations with the malicious intent to steal the targets’ bank credentials and other financial information.

Importance of Cybersecurity

As organizations increasingly adopt cloud computing, IoT, AI, and other technology advancements, the complexity and vulnerability of their systems grow. As reported by a survey, Global cybercrime damage is expected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015 (Business Standard, 2024). This staggering rise in the numbers indicates the growing threat and the need for strengthening cybersecurity measures. Here are some of the vital reasons for the critical importance of cybersecurity:

• Data Protection: As more individual and organizational data is stored in the cloud, protecting these data from breaches becomes essential. About 49% of companies experienced a data breach, pinpointing the urgent need for strict cybersecurity measures (Thales, 2024).
• Continuity of Operations: Cyberattacks can incapacitate operations, leading to significant financial losses. For instance, the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack by DarkSide was classified as a “National Security Threat” by the U.S. Government, resulting in widespread fuel shortages and financial impact (Kerner. S. M., 2022). This exhibits the necessity for effective cybersecurity to ensure business operations remain uninterrupted.
• Network Filteration: Network security is becoming vulnerable as cyber threats become more frequent and sophisticated. In a report, 67% of the respondents stated that paying attention to outbound connections to malicious IP addresses is essential to filter networks that can deny unauthorized access (C|EH Threat Report, 2024).
• Governance and Compliance: Regulations like GDPR and CCPA require strict data protection measures to avoid hefty fines and maintain customer trust. Organizations should implement full-bodied cybersecurity practices to follow the regulations and boost trust with stakeholders.
• Majority Considers Increasing Security Budgets: Responding to rising threats, 99% of respondents in a survey supported increasing cybersecurity budgets, reflecting the critical need for investment to safeguard digital assets and ensure cyber resilience (PwC, India, 2024).

What is Cybersecurity Management?

Cybersecurity management is not just a theoretical concept but a practical approach to protect an organization’s information systems and network from cyber threats. It involves the strategic oversight and implementation of policies, procedures, and technologies. This approach ensures that an organization’s cybersecurity measures are not just a box-ticking exercise but a strategic alignment with its business objectives. To effectively manage cybersecurity in alignment with business objectives, leaders must have a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity management.

What Cybersecurity Management Involves:

Cybersecurity management for cyber leaders means creating and implementing a plan to keep an organization’s information systems and data safe. This involves identifying and addressing potential risks, developing and enforcing security policies, and having a response plan ready for any security breaches. The goal is to minimize damage and ensure a quick recovery if an incident occurs.

• Governance: Establishing and maintaining security compliance frameworks to assure alignment between the approaches used to protect information resources and those utilized to achieve the overall business objective.
• Risk Management: Identifying, evaluating, and mitigating risks through a thorough risk management framework. This includes conducting risk assessments, developing risk treatment plans, and ensuring that risk management practices are integrated into the organization’s overall strategy.
• Controls and Compliance: Implementing and monitoring security controls to protect and ensure data compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Security Program Management and Operations: Overseeing the development, implementation, and management of an information security program, including incident response and business continuity planning.
• Strategic Planning: Designing, developing, and maintaining Enterprise Information Security Architecture (EISA). This also includes risk management, customer analysis, and security resource adjustments to ensure accountability and progress in the organization’s strategic objectives.
• Finance Management: Managing the financial aspects of a security program, including budgeting, cost-benefit analysis, and resource allocation, to ensure that security initiatives support the organization’s strategic goals
• Information Security Core Competencies: Developing essential skills and knowledge required for effective information security management focused on social engineering skills, physical security, pen testing, threat management, and more.
• Audit Management: Conducting and managing internal and external audits to evaluate the effectiveness of information security measures, ensuring continuous improvement and compliance with standards and regulations.

For C-suite executives looking to enhance their cybersecurity expertise, the Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C|CISO) certification offered by EC-Council can be their next step to a successful career as a CISO. The program aids them to acquire skills and knowledge in managing and overseeing enterprise-wide information security programs effectively. Covering all the above-mentioned critical domains of cybersecurity management, the C|CISO certification ensures that the candidates are well-prepared to tackle the sophisticated and evolving challenges of the complex cybersecurity landscape.

Are Certifications Important for Cybersecurity Professionals?

While cybersecurity professionals are required to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, additional certifications can prove to be beneficial in enhancing their expertise and landing high-paying jobs. EC-Council offers cybersecurity certifications in various cybersecurity domains to enable professionals to transition to excellence. Candidates leverage hands-on learning to acquire deep knowledge of various cybersecurity aspects, from ethical hacking to digital forensics, and make an excellent career progression with expert guidance. Some of the renowned certifications by EC-Council include:

• C|EH – The Certified Ethical Hacker certification by EC-Council is the world’s number one credential in ethical hacking.
• C|PENT – The Certified Penetration Testing Professional course teaches candidates to master real-world pen testing skills and conduct penetration testing in enterprise networks.
• C|ND – The Certified Network Defender course offers next-gen vendor-neutral network security training through a lab-intensive approach
• E|CIH – EC-Council’s Certified Incident Handler certification makes professionals industry leaders in preparing, handling, and responding to security incidents.
• C|HFI – The Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator program offers lab-based training in conducting digital forensic investigations using the latest technologies.

References

Business Standard. Robust cybersecurity shield key for IT providers to retain clients. 2024 https://www.business-standard.com/industry/news/cyber-security-becomes-key-to-retain-clients-for-it-services-providers-124021501239_1.html

EC-Council Cybersecurity Exchange. Threat Report 2024. 2024 https://www.eccouncil.org/cybersecurity-exchange/whitepaper/eccouncil-ceh-cybersecurity-threat-report-ai-report/

Kerner. S. M. TechTarget. Colonial Pipeline hack explained: Everything you need to know. 2022 https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/feature/Colonial-Pipeline-hack-explained-Everything-you-need-to-know

PwC. India. Cybersecurity In India: 2024 Global Digital Trust Insights Survey. 2024 https://www.pwc.in/digital-trust-insights-india.html

Rees. M. Expert Insights. The 8 Most Common Types Of Password Attacks. 2024 https://expertinsights.com/insights/the-8-most-common-types-of-password-attacks/

Shen. R. Akamai. Web Application and API Protection: From SQL Injection to Magecart. 2020. https://www.akamai.com/blog/security/web-application-and-api-protection-from-sql-injection-to-magecart

Thales. 2024 Data Threat Report. 2024 https://cpl.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/content/DTR_pages/2024/2024-thales-data-threat-report-global-edition.pdf