Cybersecurity, computer network security, or digital information technology security is basically the protection of networks and computer systems against theft, information loss or damage, and also from the interruption or misuse of their services by others. In today’s world almost everything is stored on a computer, including financial records, work files, confidential corporate matters, and even some of your hobbies and recreational activities. With the rapid expansion of the Internet and new media, nearly everything can be shared online, which has led to an increase in identity theft, credit card fraud, online scams, and the like. Because of this increasing problem there has been an increased focus on computer network security by both public and private sector entities. There are many different threats to computer networks ranging from viruses, spyware, spam, and hackers.
Since it is essential for businesses to protect themselves from outside threats, they have developed different types of programs to help them achieve this goal. One of the most common programs is firewall protection which not only stops external threats but also stops insiders from accessing company information or doing their job. Firewalls can either be purchased as stand alone devices or can be integrated into corporate intranet and computer networks to protect files and applications. There are many different types of firewall programs such as Nod32, RealFuture, Applegate, and others that are available for both purchase and free trial.
Another important aspect of cyber security is monitoring. While most companies think that they already have a network security team in place, many are unaware of the need to monitor their networks for any signs of vulnerabilities, or out of fear of detection. Corporate malware such as viruses, hackers, and SPAM are only one of the different types of threats that are faced by companies that do not have the resources and expertise to deal with these types of issues on their own. For this reason it is essential that there is a dedicated team of professionals that can monitor the health of their networks for any signs of vulnerability and report these issues to the appropriate officials.