Computer Security

What is the difference between Computer Security and Cyber Security?

What is the Difference Between Computer Security and Cyber Security?

Cybersecurity and computer security are frequently confused as synonyms, according to the public. It's not accurate, though. Even though both of these phrases are frequently used when discussing how to safeguard and boost the effectiveness of the IT infrastructure, there are a few significant distinctions between them.

Computer security deals with protecting endpoints, such as desktops, laptops, servers, virtual machines, and IaaS, from malware and other threats. Cybersecurity, however, deals with safeguarding data against unauthorized access, such as that from hackers.

The Difference Between Computer Security and Cyber Security

What computer security?

In terms of computer security, we're talking about the hardware and software security of a standalone computer. Maintaining stand-alone machines with the latest updates and proper patches is one of the most critical aspects of computer security.

Protecting your actual desktop and laptop computers as well as other hardware is the focus of computer security. Additionally, these systems need to be appropriately updated and patched. Yet by safeguarding the data kept on your networks, computers, printers, and other devices, cyber security can cover all of these operations. All connected digital devices are safe.

What is Cyber security?

Cybersecurity is the process of preventing unauthorized access to your company's sensitive data and systems through the incorporation of security protocols. Cyber threats must be reduced not only from a business standpoint but also to prevent fines related to data loss. Cyber security is intended to safeguard your digital footprint, to put it simply.

Your systems can be hacked by cybercriminals as well. If found to be insecure, they can easily mine and profit from selling your data on the dark web. For midsized businesses without a sizable PR and legal team at their disposal, a data breach can result in irreparable harm in the form of high regulatory fines, loss of reputation, and diminished customer trust, all of which are challenging to overcome. The size of a company has no bearing on a hacker's behavior. To see what they can catch, they want to cast the widest net they can.

Data is the most crucial element in either case. Your business has valuable consumer and proprietary data. The value of data is understood by cyber criminals. Threat actors are constantly looking for the most exposed systems. A lot of small businesses are simple targets. The use of mobile devices to access corporate data is growing, which increases security risks. Employees invite cybercriminals into the organization when they check their work email off the company network. When you collaborate with the CyberSecOp group that provides cyber security services, you will have professionals on your side to manage and mitigate advanced and persistent threats.

Information Security, Cybersecurity, IT Security, and Computer Security

The terms can frequently be used interchangeably. Computers handle data. Information technology includes the area of IT security, which typically relates to computers. As I said, computer security. Protecting systems from cyber threats is the definition of cybersecurity. Merriam-Webster describes "cyber" as "of, related to, or involving computers or computer networks."

Information security is what IT security is about information technology. Computer science is the parent of information technology. IT is the practical application of computer science, primarily for servers, PCs, supercomputers, data centers, and other endpoints. When referring to business, the terms information security, computer security, and cybersecurity can all be used interchangeably.


What is Cyber Security, IT Security, and Data Security?

What is the need for IT security and CyberSecurity?

Computer security, cybersecurity or information technology security (IT security) is the protection of computer systems and networks from the theft of or damage to their hardware, software, or electronic data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide.

IT security is a set of cybersecurity strategies that prevents unauthorized access to organizational assets such as computers, networks, and data. It maintains the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information, blocking the access of sophisticated hackers.

What is Data Security?

Data security means protecting digital data, such as those in a database, from destructive tampering and unauthorized access. Hardware based security or assisted computer security offers an alternative to software-only computer security.

Common examples of:

  • Data encryption
  • Tokenization
  • Key management
  • Data loss prevention
  • Data classification
  • Data accees management

What is the need for network security?

Network security is the practice of securing a computer network from intruders, whether targeted attackers or opportunistic malware. Application security focuses on keeping software and devices free of threats. A compromised application could provide access to the data its designed to protect.

What is Internet security

Internet security involves the protection of information that is sent and received in browsers, as well as network security involving web-based applications. These protections are designed to monitor incoming internet traffic for malware as well as unwanted traffic. This protection may come in the form of firewalls, antimalware, and antispyware.

What is Critical infrastructure security:

Critical infrastructure security consists of the cyber-physical systems that modern societies rely on.

Common examples of critical infrastructure:

  • Electricity grid
  • Water purification
  • Traffic lights
  • Shopping centers
  • Hospitals

What is Application security:

You should choose application security as one of the several must-have security measures adopted to protect your systems. Application security uses software and hardware methods to tackle external threats that can arise in the development stage of an application.

Applications are much more accessible over networks, causing the adoption of security measures during the development phase to be an imperative phase of the project.

Types of application security:

  • Software development
  • Application testing
  • Code review
  • Vunerablity and penetration testing

What is Network security:

Network security ensures that internal networks are secure by protecting the infrastructure and inhibiting access to it.

Common examples of network security implementation:

  • Extra logins
  • New passwords
  • Application security
  • Antivirus programs
  • Antispyware software
  • Encryption
  • Firewalls
  • Monitored internet access

Types of cyber threats:

The threats countered by cyber-security are three-fold:

  1. Cybercrime includes single actors or groups targeting systems for financial gain or to cause disruption.

  2. Cyber-attack often involves politically motivated information gathering.

  3. Cyberterrorism is intended to undermine electronic systems to cause panic or fear.

So, how do malicious actors gain control of computer systems? Here are some common methods used to threaten cyber-security:

Malware

Malware means malicious software. One of the most common cyber threats, malware is software that a cybercriminal or hacker has created to disrupt or damage a legitimate user’s computer. Often spread via an unsolicited email attachment or legitimate-looking download, malware may be used by cybercriminals to make money or in politically motivated cyber-attacks.

There are a number of different types of malware, including:

  • Virus: A self-replicating program that attaches itself to clean file and spreads throughout a computer system, infecting files with malicious code.

  • Trojans: A type of malware that is disguised as legitimate software. Cybercriminals trick users into uploading Trojans onto their computer where they cause damage or collect data.

  • Spyware: A program that secretly records what a user does, so that cybercriminals can make use of this information. For example, spyware could capture credit card details.

  • Ransomware: Malware which locks down a user’s files and data, with the threat of erasing it unless a ransom is paid.

  • Adware: Advertising software which can be used to spread malware.

  • Botnets:Networks of malware infected computers which cybercriminals use to perform tasks online without the user’s permission.

SQL injection

An SQL (structured language query) injection is a type of cyber-attack used to take control of and steal data from a database. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in data-driven applications to insert malicious code into a databased via a malicious SQL statement. This gives them access to the sensitive information contained in the database.

Phishing

Phishing is when cybercriminals target victims with emails that appear to be from a legitimate company asking for sensitive information. Phishing attacks are often used to dupe people into handing over credit card data and other personal information.

Man-in-the-middle attack

A man-in-the-middle attack is a type of cyber threat where a cybercriminal intercepts communication between two individuals in order to steal data. For example, on an unsecure WiFi network, an attacker could intercept data being passed from the victim’s device and the network.

Denial-of-service attack

A denial-of-service attack is where cybercriminals prevent a computer system from fulfilling legitimate requests by overwhelming the networks and servers with traffic. This renders the system unusable, preventing an organization from carrying out vital functions.

8 Cyber Security Best Practices for Business

  1. Conduct Phishing Simulations
  2. Implement Risk Management Governance Approach
  3. Secure Remotely Working and Travelling Employees
    • Plan for mobile devices
  4. Create a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program
  5. Monitor User and File Activity
  6. Enforce password best practices
  7. Enforce the Use of Password Managers, SSOs, and MFAs
  8. Audit Privileged Access
  9. Implement Data Loss Prevention
  10. Update Software and Systems
  11. Implement and monitor EDR, MDR, and SIEM
  12. Regularly back up all data, and offsite backup

CyberSecOp cybersecurity solution provide pace of mind when it comes to privacy and security. Ensuring data security in the cloud or onpfremisies , compliant and protected by best-in-class security: your data, and the tools you use to harness it, can truly empower your business.