Cybersecurity, also known as technology security or electronic information security is the practice of ensuring the availability, integrity, and confidentiality (AIC triad) of information. In other words, it is protecting and defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from digital attacks through an evolving set of tools, risk management approaches, technologies, training, and best practices.

Living in a time when technology slow and steady seizes the majority of the working domains and important data—such as personal information, intellectual property, or financial data—are stored on electronic devices, cybersecurity is a must. As devices and their underlying systems have certain vulnerabilities, these could easily be exploited, leading to undesired situations that could undermine an organization’s objective and put their reputation at risk. Needless to say, a data breach may have a colossal financial impact.

It is essential for the well-being of an organization to implement a strong cybersecurity model in order to protect it from a possible cyber attack. However, as the risks constantly evolve, one has to be prepared to face them with innovative methods in order to keep up with the threat.

There are different types of cyber threats. Some of them include backdoors (allowing remote access to systems without the user’s knowledge), distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks (disrupting normal traffic of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming the target or its surrounding infrastructure with a flood of Internet traffic), domain name system (DNS) attacks (redirecting traffic to malicious sites), formjacking (inserting malicious JavaScript code into online payment forms so as to collect customers’ card details) as well as malware (any file or program intended to harm or disrupt a computer such as computer viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, and keyloggers).

To deal with cyber threats, certain types of cybersecurity have been developed including network security (controlling incoming and outgoing connections to prevent threats from entering or spreading on the network), cloud security (using cloud-based services and applications to provide protection), data loss prevention (DLP—protecting data by focusing on the location, classification, and monitoring of information at rest, in use, and in motion), intrusion detection systems (IDS) or intrusion prevention systems (IPS) that work so as to identify potentially hostile cyber activity, and there are also method like encryption (encoding data to render it unintelligible) and anti-malware/antivirus solutions that scan your computer system for known and even unknown threats (based on their behavior).

For your organization to be prepared in case of a cyber attack, you must make sure to have an understanding of your weaknesses regarding where your data is stored, its importance and what protections you have in order to protect it. Making backup copies of important data and information is essential. After understanding the shortcomings, one must develop a plan in the event of a breach.

Best practices to prevent such attacks include training your employees regarding cybersecurity principles, as well as requiring them to use strong passwords and change them periodically, slimming the chances of a potential breach. Moreover, access to sensitive data should be limited alike the authority to install software.

Another common practice is to install anti-spyware and anti-malware software. Such programs should be able to run full system scans on your computer as well as quarantining and removing such threats. Notwithstanding, it is also important to have periodical updates.

There is still much remaining to analyze when it comes to digital threats and attacks. Our journal publishes materials that will ease the process of fully understanding these concepts and being prepared in case of occurrence with detailed, well-researched advice in order to keep your organization safe.