SUBMITTED BY: AREEBA NOOR

SUBMITTED TO: SIR AHMED ZEESHAN

ROLL NO: BSCS012415050
SUBJECT: ICT
TOPIC: CYBERSECURITY

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 3
IMPORTANCE OF CYBERSECURITY 3
SCALE OF CYBER SECURITY 3
TYPES OF CYBER THREATS 4
METHODS OF CYBER SECURITY 4
CYBER SAFETY TIPS 5
ROLE OF GOVERMENT AND ORGANIZATIONS 6
FUTURE OF CYBER SECURITY 6
CONCLUSION 6

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 Cybersecurity
Introduction:
Cybersecurity is a set of processes, best practices, and technology solutions that help protect your
critical systems and network from digital attacks. As data has proliferated and more people work
and connect from anywhere, bad actors have responded by developing sophisticated methods for
gaining access to your resources and stealing data, sabotaging your business, or extorting money.

Why is cybersecurity important?

In today's connected world, everyone benefits from advanced cybersecurity solutions. At an
individual level, a cybersecurity attack can result in everything from identity theft to extortion
attempts, to the loss of important data like family photos. Everyone relies on critical infrastructure
like power plants, hospitals, and financial service companies. Securing these and other
organizations is essential to keeping our society functioning.
Everyone also benefits from the work of cyberthreat researchers, like the team of 250 threat
researchers at Talos, who investigate new and emerging threats and cyberattack strategies. They
reveal new vulnerabilities, educate the public on the importance of cybersecurity, and strengthen
open-source tools. Their work makes the internet safer for everyone. The term "cybersecurity"
encompasses a wide range of contexts, from corporate environments to mobile computing, and can
be categorized into several key areas:
Network Security: This involves protecting a computer network from unauthorized access,
whether from targeted attacks or opportunistic malware.
Application Security: This focuses on ensuring that software and devices remain free from threats.
A compromised application can grant access to the data it is designed to protect, making security
measures essential from the design phase onward.
Information Security: This area is concerned with maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of
data, both during storage and transmission.
Operational Security: This includes the processes and decisions involved in managing and
protecting data assets, such as user permissions and data storage or sharing protocols.
Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: These strategies outline how an organization
responds to cybersecurity incidents or other events that disrupt operations or compromise data.
Disaster recovery policies specify how to restore operations and information, while business
continuity plans guide organizations in maintaining functionality during resource shortages.

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End-User Education: This addresses the unpredictable human factor in cybersecurity. Individuals
can inadvertently introduce malware into secure systems by neglecting security best practices.
Educating users on recognizing suspicious emails, avoiding unidentified USB drives, and other
critical lessons is vital for organizational security.

The Scale of Cyber Threats:

The global landscape of cyber threats is rapidly evolving, with an increasing number of data
breaches reported annually. A report by Risk Based Security indicated that approximately 7.9 billion
records were exposed due to data breaches in the first nine months of 2019, more than double the
number from the same period in 2018. Sectors such as healthcare, retail, and public services are
particularly vulnerable, as they handle sensitive financial and medical data. However, all businesses
utilizing networks are at risk of customer data breaches, corporate espionage, or targeted attacks.

As the scale of cyber threats continues to grow, global investment in cybersecurity solutions is also
on the rise. Gartner forecasts that cybersecurity spending will reach $188.3 billion in 2023 and
exceed $260 billion globally by 2026. In response to the escalating threat landscape, governments
worldwide are providing guidance to help organizations implement effective cybersecurity
practices. In the U.S., the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a
cybersecurity framework that emphasizes continuous, real-time monitoring of electronic resources
to combat the spread of malicious code and facilitate early detection.

Types of Cyber Threats:

Cybersecurity addresses three primary categories of threats:
1. Cybercrime: Involves individuals or groups targeting systems for financial gain or disruption.
2. Cyber-Attack: Often politically motivated, these attacks focus on information gathering.
3. Cyberterrorism: Aims to undermine electronic systems to instigate panic or fear.

Common Methods of Cyber Threats:

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1. Malware: Malicious software designed to disrupt or damage legitimate users' systems, often
spread through unsolicited email attachments or deceptive downloads. Types of malwares include:
 Virus: A self-replicating program that infects files with malicious code.
 Trojans: Disguised as legitimate software, these programs trick users into installing them,
leading to data theft or system damage.
 Spyware: Secretly records user activity, potentially capturing sensitive information like
credit card details.
 Ransomware: Locks user files and demands payment for their release.
 Adware: Advertising software that can facilitate malware distribution.
 Botnets: Networks of infected computers controlled by cybercriminals for various online
tasks.
2. SQL Injection: A cyber-attack method that exploits vulnerabilities in data-driven applications to
insert malicious code into databases, granting unauthorized access to sensitive information.
3. Phishing: Cybercriminals send emails that appear to be from legitimate companies to solicit
sensitive information from victims.
4. Man-in-the-Middle Attack: This threat involves intercepting communication between two parties
to steal data, particularly on unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
5. Denial-of-Service Attack: Cybercriminals overwhelm networks and servers with traffic, rendering
systems unusable and hindering organizational operations.

Cyber Safety Tips:

Individuals and organizations can adopt various measures to minimize the risk of cyber attacks.
Some effective strategies include:
1. Strong Passwords: Using complex, unique passwords and regularly updating them.
2. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adding an extra layer of security by requiring
two or more verification methods.

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 3. Regular Software Updates: Ensuring that systems and applications are up-to-date
to address known vulnerabilities.
4. Employee Training: Educating staff on recognizing phishing attempts and
following best practices for cyber hygiene.
5. Firewall and Antivirus Protection: Installing and maintaining robust security
software to detect and block threats.
6. Data Encryption: Securing sensitive information by converting it into unreadable
code accessible only with a decryption key.

Role of Governments and Organizations

Governments and organizations play a crucial role in establishing a secure cyber ecosystem. Key
initiatives include:
1. Legislation and Policies: Implementing laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation
(GDPR) to enforce data protection and privacy standards.
2. Incident Response Teams: Establishing specialized teams to address cyber incidents and
mitigate their impact.
3. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating citizens and businesses about cyber security risks
and best practices.
4. Collaboration: Sharing threat intelligence and collaborating with international agencies to
combat cybercrime.
5. Investment in Research and Development: Supporting the development of advanced security
technologies and solutions.

Future of Cyber Security

As technology continues to evolve, so do cyber threats. Emerging trends such as artificial
intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and quantum computing present new challenges and
opportunities for cyber security. AI can enhance threat detection and response capabilities, while
IoT devices require specialized security protocols to prevent breaches. Quantum computing, on the
other hand, may render traditional encryption methods obsolete, necessitating the development of
quantum-resistant algorithms.
Cyber security professionals must stay ahead of these developments by continuously updating their
knowledge and skills. Organizations should prioritize proactive security measures and adopt a
comprehensive approach to risk management.

Conclusion
Cyber security is a critical aspect of the digital era, ensuring the safety and privacy of individuals,
businesses, and nations. By understanding common threats, adopting preventive measures, and
fostering collaboration, we can build a secure and resilient cyber environment. The collective
efforts of individuals, organizations, and governments will be key to addressing the challenges of
cyber security and protecting the digital landscape for future generations.