Cybersecurity Topics Overview

Introduction to Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity involves protecting internet-connected systems, including hardware, software, and

data, from cyberattacks. As the world becomes more digitized, the need to protect sensitive

information and maintain the integrity of systems is critical.

Types of Cyber Threats

Malware: Malicious software designed to harm or exploit any programmable device. Examples

include viruses, worms, Trojans, and ransomware.

Phishing: A method where attackers trick individuals into providing sensitive information by

pretending to be a trustworthy entity.

Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attack: Occurs when an attacker intercepts communication between two

parties to steal data.

Denial of Service (DoS) Attack: An attack designed to overwhelm a system, making it unavailable to

its intended users.

Security Protocols and Encryption

Encryption: The process of converting information into a code to prevent unauthorized access.

Common algorithms include AES, RSA, and DES.

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI): A framework that uses encryption and digital certificates to secure

communications.

Transport Layer Security (TLS)/Secure Sockets Layer (SSL): Protocols that provide secure

communication over a computer network.

Network Security

Firewalls: A security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based

on predetermined security rules.

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Tools that monitor network traffic for suspicious activity and

issues alerts when potential threats are detected.

Virtual Private Network (VPN): A service that encrypts your internet connection, protecting your data

and privacy online.

Endpoint Security

Antivirus/Antimalware: Software designed to detect and eliminate malicious software from devices.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Solutions that provide continuous monitoring and

response to advanced threats on endpoints.

Mobile Device Management (MDM): Tools that enable organizations to secure and manage mobile

devices used by employees.

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Authentication: Verifying the identity of a user or device. This includes passwords, biometrics, and

two-factor authentication (2FA).

Authorization: The process of giving someone permission to do or have something.

Single Sign-On (SSO): A session and user authentication service that permits a user to use one set

of login credentials to access multiple applications.

Cloud Security

Cloud Service Models: Understanding IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS and their security implications.

Shared Responsibility Model: The division of security responsibilities between the cloud provider

and the customer.

Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): Security policy enforcement points placed between cloud

service consumers and cloud service providers to enforce enterprise security policies.

Incident Response

Incident Response Plan: A set of instructions to help detect, respond to, and recover from
cybersecurity incidents.

Forensics: The process of collecting, preserving, and analyzing evidence after a cybersecurity

incident.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Plans to ensure that an organization can continue

operating after a cyberattack.

Security Operations Center (SOC)

SOC Team: A group responsible for monitoring and analyzing an organization?s security posture on

an ongoing basis.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Tools that provide real-time analysis of

security alerts generated by network hardware and applications.

Regulations and Compliance

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): A regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): US legislation that provides data

privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information.

PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): A set of security standards designed to

ensure that all companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a

secure environment.

Penetration Testing

Ethical Hacking: The process of testing and assessing the security of a system by simulating an

attack.

Vulnerability Scanning: Automated tools that identify security weaknesses in a system.

Red Team/Blue Team Exercises: Simulated cyberattacks where the Red Team acts as the attacker

and the Blue Team defends.

Emerging Threats and Trends

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Cybersecurity: Using AI to detect and respond to threats faster and more

accurately.

Internet of Things (IoT) Security: Protecting networks connected to IoT devices, which often have

weak security measures.

Zero Trust Architecture: A security concept where access is not granted based on network location

but through continuous verification.

Cybersecurity Careers

Roles: Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, Incident Responder, Security Architect, and more.

Certifications: CISSP, CEH, CompTIA Security+, and others are valuable for career advancement.

Best Practices

Security Awareness Training: Educating employees on how to recognize and respond to potential

threats.

Patch Management: Regularly updating software to fix vulnerabilities.

Backup and Data Recovery: Ensuring data is regularly backed up and can be restored in the event

of a breach.