While the rapid adoption of the Internet offers several business opportunities, it’s not completely safe, as its anonymity can give rise to various cybercrimes.

Developing a solid understanding of cybersecurity is critical to navigating this space better and protecting yourself against malicious cyber threats.

Cybersecurity is an ever-growing industry projected to grow by 11% in 2023 and 20% in 2025. Earning a cybersecurity certification to meet this growing demand and advance your career in this field is best. This credential can significantly enhance your qualifications and open several doors to excellent career opportunities.

This post will discuss everything you need to know about cybersecurity, including its fundamentals, basic terminology, types of cyberattacks, and more. We will also outline various roles and opportunities available in the field to make a lucrative career in cybersecurity and how platforms such as IEEE can help you with curated courses and other resources on this topic.

So, let’s dive in!

What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity refers to the process and techniques involved in safeguarding sensitive data, networks, computer systems, and software applications from harmful cyber attacks.

The term cyber attack used here is general terminology that covers a large number of topics, but some of the most popular are

• Unauthorized access to the system and accessing confidential information
• Tampering computer systems and data stored within
• Using ransomware attacks to encrypt data with malicious intent
• Exploitation of resources
• Disrupting the regular functioning of the business and its processes

Basics of Cybersecurity

Knowing cybersecurity fundamentals and putting them into regular practice will help you significantly protect your business and reduce the risk of cyber attacks.

Here are some of the basics of cybersecurity that you need to know.

1. Secure Your Files

Important files should always be backed up offline, on the cloud, or on an external hard drive. Also, make sure your paper files are stored safely.

2. Update Your Software

This means updating all your apps, operating systems, and web browsers. You can also set updates to happen automatically.

3. Keep Strong Passwords

Make sure all of your gadgets—laptops, tablets, and smartphones—have secure passwords, and never leave them unattended in public areas.

4. Use Multi-Factor Authentication

Always use multi-factor authentication to access areas of your network with private, confidential, or sensitive information. This requires additional steps, such as a temporary mobile code or a key inserted into a computer to get system access.

5. Fully Secure Your Router

Secure your router by changing the default name and password, turning off remote management, and logging out as the administrator after the router is set up.

Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability (CIA) Triad

To understand the basics of cybersecurity, you need to develop an understanding of the CIA triad, which includes confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The details are discussed below:

1. Confidentiality

Confidentiality is the measures taken to ensure that your data remains private. This includes personal data, medical records, social security numbers, etc.

Cyber attackers can try to gain access and steal this data through phishing or man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks and use it for wrong purposes.

2. Integrity

Integrity in the CIA triad means ensuring your data remains reliable, accurate, and protected against unauthorized access. You can do this by:

• Setting robust access controls so that only authorized personnel can access specific information
• Implementing end-to-end encryption to protect personal or sensitive data
• Taking measures to back up data

Maintaining this data integrity is especially critical for organizations that handle sensitive information.

3. Availability

The CIA triad’s availability guarantees that all your networks, apps, and systems are in sync and operating properly, allowing only authorized individuals to access data when necessary.

Common Terminologies Used in Cybersecurity

Here are some of the most common cybersecurity terminologies you should know about

1. Network: A network refers to interconnected digital devices that can easily exchange information and resources.
2. Internet Protocols: Internet protocols, or IP, refer to a unique numeric identifier assigned to every device or network with internet access.
3. IP Address: An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is an address assigned to all devices that connect to a computer network and use the Internet Protocol for communication.
4. Hacker (Black Hat): A hacker is a malicious person who attempts to gain unauthorized access to a network with the wrong intent to cause damage or theft.
5. Hacker (White Hat): A hacker who attempts to gain unauthorized access to a network to identify and patch vulnerabilities in a security system.
6. DHCP: The dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) assigns an IP address to any computer equipment that wishes to connect to the Internet.
7. Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN is an encrypted internet connection from a particular device to a network.
8. Domain Name System (DNS): DNS refers to a directory of domain names that align with specific IP addresses so users can search via URLs.

Types of Cybersecurity Attacks

Cyberattacks are wrongful attempts by cybercriminals to gain access to a computer system or network for information. Among the most common attacks that you need to avoid here include:

1. Ransomware

Once malware can access a computer, it encrypts, locks, and deletes personal files. This type of software is known as ransomware. Hackers usually employ ransomware to extort money from their victims, with over 2,500 systems infected with the virus in 2021 alone. This is an increasing threat for both individuals and corporations.

2. Malware

Malware is software designed to gain unauthorized access to a device with wrongful intent. Some of the common types of malware include

• Viruses: These are malware designed to change, corrupt, or destroy information.
• Trojan horses: These are used as a legitimate program to give backdoor access to hackers.

3. Phishing

Cybercriminals utilize a sort of internet attack called phishing to trick you into divulging important information by seeming to be a reliable source. Phishers typically use phone calls, emails, or texts to fool you into clicking on links that request sensitive information, including your Social Security number or credit card number.

Opportunities and Roles in Cybersecurity

The field of cybersecurity offers a range of interesting roles and opportunities. Some of the top ones here include:

1. Security Architect

A security architect is responsible for designing robust security structures to prevent dangerous malware attacks.

Average Annual Salary: ₹26.5 lakhs/annum

2. Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity engineers are specialists who plan security measures to prevent an organization from a cyberattack and protect its networks and data.

Average Annual Salary: ₹9 lakhs/annum

3. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a senior-level position that ensures the complete safety of information in an organization by developing and maintaining information security and risk management programs.

Average Annual Salary: ₹36.9 lakhs/annum

4. Application Security Engineer

The application security engineer is the person who creates, implements, and maintains the security of an organization’s applications by designing and implementing policies that will protect you against both internal and external threats.

Average Annual Salary: ₹8.7 lakhs/annum

Conclusion

In conclusion, cybersecurity is important to safeguarding digital assets in today’s online world. Learning cybersecurity fundamentals can be a valuable skill that can elevate your career in the field.

Whether you opt for free resources or invest in premium cybersecurity courses offered by IEEE BLP, the potential return on investment can be significant. Embracing cybersecurity also opens various opportunities, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to advance their professional journey.

Explore IEEE’s cybersecurity courses and certifications today to elevate your cybersecurity skills.

FAQs

1. Can I learn cybersecurity on my own?

Yes, you can learn cybersecurity independently by using various online resources (free and paid) on platforms such as IEEE BLP.

2. Can a beginner learn cybersecurity?

A beginner can get into cybersecurity by gaining the required skillsets through various online courses and certifications.

3. What are the basics of cybersecurity?

The basics of cybersecurity primarily involve security areas such as identifying, protecting, detecting, responding, and recovering.

4. What are the five basic principles of cybersecurity?

The five basic principles of cybersecurity include:

• Governing: Developing a strong cybersecurity culture
• Identifying: Identifying assets and other security risks
• Protecting: Implementing various controls to manage security risks
• Detecting: Detecting and analyzing cybersecurity events to identify such incidents
• Responding: Responding to and recovering from various cybersecurity case