The Importance of Digital Security

[Published December 6, 2019 Last Updated May 17, 2022]

Weak digital security can jeopardize a robust physical safety.

Stephane Nappo 

Cybercrime cost the world around $600 billion in 2017. Further, a report suggests that 63% of Indian businesses are concerned about falling prey to cybercrimes. Lack of cybersecurity is posing a great threat of data theft or unethical hacks in organizations. 

Investing in technology to curb cyber threats is not enough for any firm today. They must educate the employees about this constant threat and the importance of digital security. They need to be trained to be vigilant. An IT department alone cannot alleviate the security risks in an organization. The flow of data, its backup, and recovery are some key aspects that need attention, forming an overall digital security system.

Recently there have been many hacks and breaches that have damaged some brands and cost them dearly. For instance, when the web giant Yahoo was breached, it affected Yahoo’s 3 billion customers and cost them around $350 million. 

When Citibank security was breached, almost 1% of its customers were affected in the United States.

With our increasing dependence on technology, there’s an urgent need to secure online information and data. 

Here Are Some Ways of Ensuring Digital Security

• The first and most important one is being cautious about what you share through digital channels. All the information on social media sites is vulnerable and can be easily hacked and misused.
• Make sure you use trusted, legal versions of anti-virus and anti-malware software available in the market. These can be used to secure firewalls and protect data on computers and mobiles.
• The use of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS), common web technologies used for refining security between browsers and websites, boosts security too! Avoid clicking on unwanted emails and ads. 
• Use authentic and secure modes for online monetary transactions. Financial institutes are using Europay, MasterCard, and Visa (EMV) chip cards for avoiding counterfeit transactions as the chip generates a new number for every transaction. With its end-to-end encryption, the EMV chip technology has reduced card frauds to a great extent.
• Countries are adopting biometrics and facial recognition technology for identification all over the world. Digital Identity check has reduced cases of identity thefts across the globe.
• Secure controlled access technology is helpful to corporations and residential complexes in restricting the entry of people other than their employees and residents (or approved guests and vendors) into the premises. 
• Use software available in the market that allows you to navigate online without giving away your location. These also allow you to keep your browsing history private.
• Use tools that let you encrypt your phone and keep your conversations private. Also, use software that allows you to encrypt messages sent through phones. 
• Password sharing, weak passwords, or using the same password for all your usernames makes you vulnerable to scams. Using complex passwords or fingerprint sensors are effective ways of maintaining digital security system.
• Securing your home wireless network is extremely important so that no unauthorized person has access to it. When using a public wireless network, make sure you do not access or make financial transactions as these open networks are most exposed to cybercrimes.
• Network evaluation and monitoring, including virtual desktop monitoring, is a great way using which corporates can identify any flaw or breach in the system.

Businesses need to evolve their security mechanisms with evolving technology and make people more aware about the importance of cyber security in the digital world. Deploying programs that can integrate security with efficiency will strengthen cyber security. With the ongoing Blockchain trend, we can rely on things taking a good turn.

Digital security is a comprehensive term used to indicate tools and measures to protect online data, identity, and other information. 

Final Words!

Investing in a good cybersecurity system is the key to network security. A cyber risk assessment should be conducted that can detect and respond to incidents related to hacks and thefts effectively. 

“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and it boils down to this: in cybersecurity, the more systems we secure, the more secure we all are.” – Jeh Johnson

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FAQ

What is meant by digital security?

Cybersecurity is of 5 different types:

What are the three pillars of digital security?

The three pillars of digital security are the CIA. It is an information security model consisting of three elements- confidentiality, integrity and availability.

What risks digital security?

Any action that damages or even loses the data or the software/hardware containing it. This can be done through phishing, hacking, data leakage, and more.

What are the different types of cybersecurity?

• Critical infrastructure security
• Application security
• Network security
• Cloud security
• Internet of Things (IoT) security

[Published December 6, 2019 Last Updated May 17, 2022]