The core function of cyber security is to guard the electronic devices utilized by every person (including business personnel and ordinary consumers) who uses the internet (smartphones, computers, and other computers), and also the applications access – both at work and online, and between the two. Basically, cyber security is a branch of information technology that seeks to enhance information security, to prevent and defend against external threats, such as hacking attacks, keystroke recording, and Internet security threats, including Botox and phishing. Cyber security is important because it serves as a defense to information and electronic data. This is because cyber security companies are tasked with defending company confidential data from being hacked, destroyed, or misused.
Different types of cyber threats have been identified and there is a need for organisations to understand how these threats work and what they do to make an organisation secure. Some of these include: spear phishing, malware, and virus penetration. spear phishing is one of the most targeted and dangerous types of threats. These campaigns typically start with the planting of fake email attachments that contain a virus-downloading software that is used to hack into a network and obtain confidential data. Malware, on the other hand, are known to be the most costly and destructive type of cyber threats, since it targets critical system files and could potentially wipe out an entire computer system.
UK organizations are required to follow a set of guidelines and best practices that are specified by the Government of the United Kingdom. Among these UK cyber security standards are the basic prevention methods – such as the installation of anti-virus software, firewalls, and the use of protective hardware – and the more detailed ones, which are implemented in the execution of cyber attacks. The UK cyber attacks center on spear phishing and viruses. The methodology here is typically to trick users into opening email attachments that appear to be coming from an official source that looks trustworthy. Usually, an online link or an image link is posted so that the user will visit a fraudulent website.
There are several cyber attacks that can pose a threat to the cyber security of organizations. These include: email phishing, web hacking, remote hacker attacks, keystroke logging, and keystroke capture. Email phishing is one of the most common methods, where hackers use forged emails that look and act like those coming from a trusted source such as a bank or a major online merchant wherein they steal personal and financial information. Web hacking, on the other hand, takes place when attackers to hack into the websites of high-profile companies and the information they acquire is then posted on the Internet, sometimes for public viewing.
Many of the cyber essentials that UK organisations are required to follow are quite costly. As a result, many organizations choose to implement them at the onset of a campaign. However, organizations must realise that although they need to implement cyber essentials in order to comply with UK laws, these are usually implemented without any real threat to the confidentiality and security of their networks. Some of the web application security issues that organisations face include:
The biggest security issues faced by UK organisations and businesses are data breach, which refers to the unauthorized access to another person’s personal or private information, such as credit card details, password, social security number, and so on. Most UK organizations face data breach, however, some cases are much more severe than others. For example, in a recent case, it was revealed that an intruder was able to gain access to the database of the British Airways, which ended up with him gaining access to the database of all UK residents’ credit records. A major UK organization was recently accused of having over a million credit card numbers stolen, and as a result, the company faced a massive fine.
One of the most common types of data breach is a security breach, where a network administrator allows malicious software, which is typically fake, to infect the computer system. As a result, the user is forced to enter a password to gain access into the system, making it difficult for the administrator to recover the lost data. Another major issue faced by UK businesses is the use of fake emails that look like they came from a trusted source but are actually sent from hackers associated with phishing scams.
Security breaches are not the only reason why UK companies feel vulnerable. Cyber crime has cost UK companies millions of pounds in damages, including in the UK National Fraud Intelligence Center. As a result, UK law makers have drawn up a series of specific laws aimed at reducing cyber crime and preventing data breaches. These UK laws make it illegal for UK companies to knowingly facilitate the opening of accounts for known criminals to defraud financial institutions.