C is for Cybersecurity

Source: Dev.to

What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, digital devices, and sensitive data from threats such as hacking, malware, phishing, and, more recently, attacks powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Overall, cybersecurity is the key to risk‑management strategy, specifically cyber risk management.

Real‑world Analogy

Gmail 2‑Factor Authentication

Every time you log in to Gmail, it asks for 2‑Factor Authentication to protect your password. Think of a password as the key to your house; if someone steals it, authentication acts as the security guard who asks for a second form of ID before entering. Even if the hacker has your password, they cannot get in without the additional verification. This extra layer makes it harder for cybercriminals to break in—a real‑world example of how cybersecurity works.

Why Does Cybersecurity Exist?

Cyberattacks can disrupt, damage, and even destroy businesses. Security breaches can lead to identity theft, extortion, and the loss of sensitive information affecting both individuals and organizations.

Benefits of Cybersecurity

• Protects businesses from cyber attacks
• Safeguards sensitive information
• Mitigates financial losses
• Builds trust
• Improves operational efficiency

How Cybersecurity Works (High‑Level)

• Multi‑layered security – Organizations employ multiple layers, including network security, endpoint security, and application security.
• Data protection – Encryption converts data into unreadable formats, ensuring confidentiality.
• Proactive prevention – Regular software updates and patching known vulnerabilities reduce attack surfaces.
• Antivirus/Anti‑malware – Detects and blocks malicious software.
• Firewalls – Controls incoming and outgoing traffic.

Where Cybersecurity Is Used

• Individuals – Protecting personal smartphones and computers.
• Business & Corporate Sectors – Securing intellectual property, customer data, and financial transactions.
• Healthcare – Safeguarding patient medical records and hospital systems.
• Financial Services – Protecting online banking applications and payment gateways.
• Government – Securing national‑security data.

Recent Global Security Breaches

• Early 2026: A 96 GB unencrypted database breach exposed 149 million login credentials for platforms such as Gmail, Facebook, and Netflix.
• 2025: Leak of login credentials from major organizations including Google, Apple, Facebook, GitHub, and Telegram.
• 2018: Exposure of 1.1 billion Indian citizens’ identification data.
• 2017: NotPetya ransomware caused over $10 billion in damages, affecting global businesses.

Topics Intentionally Left Out

• Encryption and cryptography
• Endpoint security
• Authentication and access control

Engagement Question

Which precautions do you take to protect your data?