Cyber Security Techniques
Cyber security has an important role in any business organization. In the digital world, it has become crucial for every business to protect its assets and data from unauthorized access. Many companies lose a lot of money a year due to unethical access by hackers and attackers. So they secure their data and information using powerful cyber-security techniques and tools. In this article, I will show you how you can protect your information by using the most popular cyber security techniques. Here I have discussed the 11 most important strategies you should know before entering cyberspace.
Firewalls
A firewall is a powerful technique that filters incoming and outgoing traffic based on predefined security rules. It ensures that no one conducts unauthorized access in unethical ways. Firewalls block unauthorized traffic and users. It creates a barrier for incoming and outgoing network traffic and decides whether to block or allow specific traffic based on security rules. Firewalls protect both large and small business organizations, as well as home networks, from unauthorized users. There are different types of firewalls, including:
| Host-based firewall | Internal firewall | Packet filtering firewall | Circuit-level gateway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware firewall | Software firewall | Distributed firewall | Next-generation firewall (NGFW) |
| Perimeter firewall | Proxy firewall | Web application firewall | Stateful inspection firewall |
Encryption
Encryption is the process of converting a readable message into an unreadable message by using an encryption algorithm and a key. It involves mathematical techniques to convert information into cipher text. Only authorized persons can decrypt messages by using decryption keys. If unauthorized users access this encrypted information. They cannot read the message. Both the sender and receiver must have encryption and decryption keys. This makes it more secure and confidential, so no unauthorized person can read the message if they have accessed it. The readable message is termed plaintext.
There are three main types of encryption:
Symmetric encryption
In this technique, a single key encrypts and decrypts messages. It is the most efficient way to secure data. In this process, the communication organizations must keep the keys secret and share them securely. Common algorithms in symmetric encryption are AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), DES (Data Encryption Standard), 3DES (Triple DES), and Blowfish.
Asymmetric encryption
In this technique, users use a pair of private and public keys for secure communication. They use a public key to encrypt data and a private key to decrypt data. These keys are not identical, but they serve different purposes and mathematically relate to each other. Only the holder of the private key can decrypt the message. Asymmetric encryption is also known as public key cryptography. Common algorithms used in asymmetric encryption are ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography), RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman), and DSA (Digital Signature Algorithm).
Hash functions
Hash functions are cryptographic algorithms that take an input message and return in output a fixed-size string of bytes. They are used to convert data into fixed-length hash values that are unique to the original data. The output is usually a number, which is termed a hash code or hash value. Common hash functions are SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit), MD5 (Message Digest Algorithm 5), and SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm 1).
IDS and IPS
Intrusion detection systems (IDS) and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) are terms related to network security. They can help take measures to detect and prevent possible events, and they include these measures in the functionality of NGFW (next-generation firewalls). IDS and IPS can make sure our network identifies potential incidents and logs information about them. They can prevent incidents on our network and report them to security controllers.
- Intrusion Detection Systems
Cyber security experts include an intrusion detection system in powerful cyber security techniques to detect threats to an organization, and it provides a passive monitoring solution. But it cannot take direct action; it can only alert security professionals. For this, security administrators can take valuable actions. It can monitor network traffic, analyze signs of possible intrusions, and exploit attempts that may be a threat to our network. There are two main types of intrusion detection systems: host-based IDS (HIDS) and network-based IDS (NIDS).
- Intrusion Prevention Systems
An intrusion prevention system is another cyber security technique that performs intrusion detection and then stops the detected incidents. Additionally, IPS can take actions to block identified threats. They behave like active protection systems. Both of them monitor all network traffic to identify malicious incidents. Furthermore, IPS can raise alerts, which prevents an intrusion from occurring on the network. There are also two types of IPS, including host-based IPS (HIPS) and network-based IPS (NIPS).
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication MFA provides an extra layer of security to our accounts and standard passwords. When we log in to any applications or websites, we try our best to take strong security measures. For this purpose, we use two-factor authentication, usually along with passwords and fingerprints. We also use the OTP code. When we log in to any application, an OPT is received on our device, so no one can access this code other than our device. It helps to make our security very strong. If cybercriminals know your password or PIN code but you have enabled multi-factor authentication, then they can’t access your accounts.
Further readings: How to get into Cybersecurity | 2024
Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software
Antivirus software and anti-malware software are cybersecurity tools designed to detect, protect against, and remove malicious software and files from a computer or other device. Both of them scan our devices and find files that are malicious and can be used for unethical purposes. Antivirus can detect viruses on our devices, check new files against known malware databases, and remove them.
Anti-malware software protects systems from malware, including spyware, ransomware, adware, and other malicious software. When we download new files and software on our device, there is a very high chance that new malware can attach to our files. So, anti-malware can identify and alert us to new malware installed on our computers.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
Virtual private networks (VPNs) are used to secure your online activity while sending or receiving important data within an organization or at home. When we use public WiFi, we make our IP address public, so anyone can see our IP address. In any organization, it puts our whole organization at risk. When we use a VPN, no one can see our online activity or IP address. In this way, we make our identity secure; our ISP and third parties cannot see the websites we visit or the data we send or receive. Some important VPNs include NordVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and ExpressVPN.
Penetration Testing
In cyber security techniques, penetration testing plays an important role. In this phase, a cyber security analyst identifies the vulnerabilities in the computer in ethical ways and tries to remove them. They try to check the vulnerabilities in a system by simulated attack so that attackers cannot take advantage. Penetration testing is also referred to as pen testing. There are several phases in pen testing, including external pen testing, internal pen testing, open box testing, and closed box testing.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Endpoint detection and response (EDR) or endpoint detection and threat response (EDTR) in cyber security monitors end-user devices continuously and detects cyber threats, including ransomware, spyware, and malware. EDR detects and blocks suspicious activities done by attackers on systems, and it also provides suggestions to cybersecurity administrators on how to restore affected systems. It monitors activities on endpoints such as laptops, computers, and mobile devices and detects security incidents in real-time.
Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)
Due to the increased usage of the internet and the digitalization of all the assets of any organization, the risk factor also increases day by day. With time, attackers also use the most advanced methods to breach the data of any organization. So, cyber security experts use advanced threat protection (ATP) methods to overcome this threat factor.
ATP is a subset of security solutions that are designed to protect important data against complex cyberattacks which include malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, spyware, etc. An adversary organization may back a threat to take advantage of business, making it more advanced. Attackers have more advanced tools but organizations have traditional Cyber security techniques and network security. ATP can be a combination of email security, cloud-based security, and endpoint security to protect against threats.
See more: Cybersecurity Definition | Types & Threats
Backup and Recovery
Recovery means restoring lost or corrupted data after natural hazards, phishing attacks, ransomware, and human error. Data backup and recovery is the process of duplicating any organization’s data, ensuring its protection from any data loss. Both of them help any organization make an ideal plan to protect their digital information in a well-mannered way for their business.
Some human error, severe attacks, or natural hazards can cause data loss. Then the important thing that cyber security administrators ensure is the recovery of that data and information. For that purpose, they take backups every day or once a week and make duplicate data to store in a safe place. It prevents permanent data loss and reduces downtime by quickly restoring systems from natural disasters, etc.
User Training and Awareness
User training and awareness programs are also the most important cybersecurity techniques business organizations focus on. The employees should be introduced to cyber crimes, their impact on organizations, and how social engineering attacks occur. Attackers use employees through social engineering, and then they get important details from employees of the organization.
When the employees are not educated, the organization will be at risk of cybercrime. Cybersecurity professionals implement security awareness training to educate employees. It can help the employees recognize threats and avoid them. So they may not compromise critical data and systems from phishing and ransomware attacks.
Conclusion
In this article, I try my best to show you how you can secure your cyberspace by implementing such cyber security techniques. By just focusing on techniques like firewalls, IDS and IPS, MFA, ATP, VPNs, data backup and recovery, EDR, penetration testing, encryptions, antivirus, and anti-malware software, and by training and raising awareness among employees, you can protect yourself from cyber crimes. To secure your organization more, you must explore more topics and techniques.