What is Cyber Security?

Define Cyber Security.
Cyber Security is protecting systems from damage, unauthorised entry or being made inaccessible. Systems include: computers, servers, mobile devices, networks or data. In short terms any device with an internet connection

What are the three pillars of data security? For each pillar you must also explain what they are.
The three pillars of data security are three different areas where cyber attacks can gain access to. It is important to keep these all up to date. People: According to research provided by chiefexecutive.net, about 90% of all cyber attacks are caused by human error. So the first action to take place is to train all employees on cyber security. This should give everyone a basic understanding of how to keep all the data and systems safe 24/7. Processes: Processes should be documented and regularly updated/reviewed. These processes should clearly state what people should be doing and how to do it. The employees should also have training on these subjects. Technology: Keeping technology and Antivirus Software up to date will reduce the risk of cyber attacks. This keeps up to date on all the latest malware and viruses and how to counter them.

What are the three pillars of data security? For each pillar you must also explain what they are.

The three pillars of data security are three different areas where cyber attacks can gain access to. It is important to keep these all up to date.

People: According to research provided by chiefexecutive.net, about 90% of all cyber attacks are caused by human error. So the first action to take place is to train all employees on cyber security. This should give everyone a basic understanding of how to keep all the data and systems safe 24/7.

Processes: Processes should be documented and regularly updated/reviewed. These processes should clearly state what people should be doing and how to do it. The employees should also have training on these subjects.

Technology: Keeping technology and Antivirus Software up to date will reduce the risk of cyber attacks. This keeps up to date on all the latest malware and viruses and how to counter them.

Why is it important to have Cyber Security?
The Costs of Breaches: Recent privacy laws could mean large fines for a business. On top of that it could get the customers to question the safety of their data and lose trust in said business. Making them spend their money elsewhere. Rise in Cyber Attackers: Due to the wide availability of hacking tools thanks to the web, there's a growing threat in hackers specifically less skilled ones. It is easy for anyone to obtain and launch attacks such as malware, ransomware, cryptoming and viruses. Tighter Regulations: With the establishment of regulations, such as the GDPR, organisations need to take security more seriously than ever before.

Why is it important to have Cyber Security?

The Costs of Breaches: Recent privacy laws could mean large fines for a business. On top of that it could get the customers to question the safety of their data and lose trust in said business. Making them spend their money elsewhere.

Rise in Cyber Attackers: Due to the wide availability of hacking tools thanks to the web, there's a growing threat in hackers specifically less skilled ones. It is easy for anyone to obtain and launch attacks such as malware, ransomware, cryptoming and viruses.

Tighter Regulations: With the establishment of regulations, such as the GDPR, organisations need to take security more seriously than ever before.

What are the consequences of a potential cyber attack? It will be a good idea to contextualise your explanation by referring to organisations.
Cyber attacks can cause sensitive data to be extracted from their systems such as company credit cards, accounts and consumer information. As stated earlier this can affect customer trust and loyalty. For example, on 24th December 2014 a hacking group named Lizard Squad launched a denial of service attack on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. In which brought down their services for multiple days. This would have cost them millions due to it being Christmas and people wanting to pay for subscriptions and games. This wasn’t PlayStation’s first attack either, just three years earlier PSN in which personal details from around 77 million accounts were compromised. This would have damaged Sony's reputation. Another reason Cyber Security is so important is that crucial data can be held ransom with ransomware. In 2017 a ransomware called WannaCry was launched and it affected over 50 organisations. The attack targets Windows OSs and decrypt files. Only way to decrypt them was to pay ransom to a BitCoin address.

What are the consequences of a potential cyber attack? It will be a good idea to contextualise your explanation by referring to organisations.

Cyber attacks can cause sensitive data to be extracted from their systems such as company credit cards, accounts and consumer information. As stated earlier this can affect customer trust and loyalty.

For example, on 24th December 2014 a hacking group named Lizard Squad launched a denial of service attack on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. In which brought down their services for multiple days. This would have cost them millions due to it being Christmas and people wanting to pay for subscriptions and games.

This wasn’t PlayStation’s first attack either, just three years earlier PSN in which personal details from around 77 million accounts were compromised. This would have damaged Sony's reputation.

Another reason Cyber Security is so important is that crucial data can be held ransom with ransomware.

In 2017 a ransomware called WannaCry was launched and it affected over 50 organisations. The attack targets Windows OSs and decrypt files. Only way to decrypt them was to pay ransom to a BitCoin address.