What is cybersecurity?

Cyber security is the practice of protecting computers, networks, programmes and data from unauthorised access or destruction. It also concerns the protection of individuals’ personal and financial information against cyber attacks. Cyber security aims to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of digital information. It has become increasingly important, even essential, with the growing use of the internet and computer networks in many aspects of everyday life.

The starting point of cybersecurity

Cybersecurity emerged with the development of computing and the Internet, which created new opportunities for hackers and cybercriminals.

In the early days of computing, security was primarily focused on protecting data from human error and hardware failure. However, with the development of the internet and the number of connected devices, IT security has expanded to include protection against online attacks and hacking attempts.

Threats to cyber security

Computer viruses

Computer viruses are programmes designed to damage or hijack computers and networks. They can be spread by malicious software, e-mails, infected websites, removable media (USB sticks, CDs) or even SMS messages.

Spywares

Spywares are softwares that are installed on a computer and enable a malicious person to monitor the user’s activities remotely, without their consent.

Ransomwares

Ransomware are softwares that encrypt computer files and demand a ransom to decrypt them.

Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks are attempts to trick users into revealing personal information (e.g. passwords, credit card numbers) by pretending to be a legitimate website.

Denial of service (DoS) attacks

Denial of service (DoS) attacks are attacks designed to render a website obsolete by sending too many requests at the same time. The system then becomes overloaded, preventing the original users from browsing the website.

Ensuring the security of an IT system

Update software regularly

Updates often correct security flaws that could be exploited by hackers.

Using security software

An antivirus program can detect and eliminate malicious software attempting to enter a computer.

Use a firewall

A firewall monitors incoming and outgoing connections to a network and blocks those that present a potential risk.

Use strong passwords

Strong passwords are difficult to find and crack. It’s an additional form of security.

Protecting sensitive data

Sensitive data are generally personal data such as bank details. To ensure solid protection, this type of information is usually encrypted when it is transmitted or stored.

The different cybersecurity professions

Data security analyst

Data security analysts collect and analyse data to detect potential threats and draw up security recommendations to prevent them.

Information security engineer

The data security engineer implements and manages security-related measures to better protect networks and information systems.

Information security consultant

Information security consultants provide companies and other organisations with recommendations on good security practice.

Penetration tester

The penetration tester simulates cyber attacks to assess the potential risks and analyse the level of security of an IT system.

Information Security Manager

The information security manager is responsible for implementing and managing the cybersecurity strategy of a company or organisation.

The role of cyber security in the near future

One area that is set to continue growing is protection against ransomware threats. Indeed, ransomware is becoming increasingly sophisticated and causing more and more damage to businesses and individuals. Cybersecurity companies will therefore have a central role to play in developing new techniques to counter ransomware.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are also set to play a crucial role in cyber security. By using artificial intelligence and machine learning, businesses will be able to better protect themselves against cyber attacks.

The security of connected objects will become crucial as their number continues to grow. Companies developing connected objects will have to be ever more vigilant in the face of cyber-attacks to avoid leaks of sensitive data.

In conclusion, cybersecurity will certainly occupy a major place in the companies and governments of tomorrow, where there will be many vacancies.