Introduction to Cybersecurity

Summary

This script delves into the evolution of cybersecurity, highlighting the shift from closed mainframe systems to interconnected networks that expanded potential attack vectors. It emphasizes the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect against costly data breaches, detailing the three core security objectives: authentication, authorization, and encryption. The video also underscores the significance of continuous education and training to strengthen an organization's cyber defenses against the ever-growing threat landscape.

Takeaways

• 🔒 The importance of leaving behind digital devices when entering secure areas for clearance checks highlights the high standards of security in sensitive environments.
• 📈 The demand for cybersecurity is growing due to the increasing complexity and connectivity of systems, which creates more potential vulnerabilities.
• 🏢 Early systems like mainframes had limited access points, but with the advent of networking and distributed devices, the attack surface has expanded significantly.
• 🌐 The shift from centralized to distributed systems, including cloud servers, has multiplied the potential entry points for malicious actors.
• 🛡️ Insecure applications can introduce vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for robust security measures in software development.
• 👥 The scale of potential attackers is vast, with many highly skilled individuals posing a significant threat to organizations' digital security.
• 💡 Cybersecurity involves protecting systems, networks, and applications from digital attacks, with the goal of preventing costly breaches.
• 🔑 Authentication and authorization are fundamental to ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive data and systems.
• 🔒 Encryption is crucial for protecting data both at rest and in transit, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information.
• 🛠️ Proactive cybersecurity involves anticipating and mitigating potential vulnerabilities, as well as having plans for response and recovery in the event of a breach.
• 📚 Education is key in cybersecurity, as users can often be the weakest link; continuous training is essential for maintaining system security.

Q & A

What does it mean to be 'digitally empty' when entering a secure area?

Being 'digitally empty' means leaving behind all digital devices such as smartphones and laptops, as they can be a potential security risk when entering a secure area. This is part of the clearance process to ensure the security of the area.

What was the speaker's previous occupation before working in a secure area?

The speaker was a cashier in the 80s before transitioning to working in a secure area on advanced security systems.

Why is the market and need for cybersecurity growing?

The market and need for cybersecurity are growing due to the increasing number of devices connected to networks, the potential for more attack vectors, and the high cost of data breaches for organizations.

How did the early computer systems differ from today's in terms of security?

Early computer systems, such as mainframes, were closed and centrally managed with limited access, reducing the number of potential attack vectors. Today's systems are more open and distributed, increasing the risk of unauthorized access.

What is the role of applications in cybersecurity?

Applications play a significant role in cybersecurity as they can introduce vulnerabilities if they are not secure. An insecure application can allow unauthorized access to data on back-end servers.

Why is it crucial for organizations to be good at cybersecurity?

It is crucial because a security breach can be extremely costly and potentially lead to the end of an organization. Protecting against attacks is essential to maintain business continuity and reputation.

What are the three basic security needs for a company or organization?

The three basic security needs are: 1) Authentication to ensure that only authorized individuals access data, 2) Authorization to control what those individuals can do, and 3) Protection of sensitive information through measures like encryption.

What is two-factor authentication and how does it enhance security?

Two-factor authentication is a method that requires two separate elements to verify a user's identity, such as something the user knows (a password) and something the user has (a smart card or digital certificate). This provides an additional layer of security beyond just a password.

How does encryption protect data in transit?

Encryption scrambles data so that unauthorized individuals cannot read or make sense of it. Methods like IPSec and TLS/SSL secure data as it moves through the network, ensuring confidentiality.

What are the key components of a cybersecurity response plan?

A cybersecurity response plan should include identifying vulnerabilities before an attack, responding to attacks to contain damage and restore functionality, and conducting forensics and investigations after an attack to learn from the incident and prevent future breaches.

Why is education important in the field of cybersecurity?

Education is important because it helps to create awareness and understanding of potential threats and how to prevent them. It ensures that all users, not just cybersecurity professionals, are equipped to contribute to the overall security of an organization.

Outlines

00:00

🔒 The Evolution of Cybersecurity

This paragraph narrates the speaker's journey from a cashier in the 80s to working in a secure area on advanced systems, reflecting on the significant growth of the cybersecurity market. The speaker discusses the early days of closed systems with limited access, such as mainframes, and how the advent of networking and the proliferation of devices increased potential attack vectors. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity due to the high costs associated with data breaches and the need for robust security measures to protect systems, networks, and applications from digital attacks.

05:01

🛡️ Cybersecurity Fundamentals and Challenges

The second paragraph delves into the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including the necessity of authentication and authorization to ensure that only authorized individuals can access and modify sensitive data. It also touches on the importance of protecting data both at rest and in transit, using encryption and protocols like IPSec and TLS/SSL. The speaker highlights the proactive approach to cybersecurity, which involves anticipating vulnerabilities, implementing countermeasures, and preparing for response and recovery in the event of an attack. Additionally, the paragraph underscores the role of education in cybersecurity, stressing the need for continuous training to protect against threats such as phishing and ransomware, and the importance of a well-thought-out plan for forensics and incident response.

Keywords

💡Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity refers to the protection of systems, networks, and applications from digital attacks or unauthorized access. In the video, cybersecurity is emphasized as crucial due to the increasing threats from skilled attackers and the high costs of data breaches. Examples include protecting data from being stolen or compromised through measures like encryption and two-factor authentication.

💡Authentication

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or device. The video discusses the importance of ensuring that only authorized individuals can access sensitive information, highlighting methods such as two-factor authentication. For instance, Bob must use a combination of a password and a smart card to log in securely.

💡Authorization

Authorization determines what an authenticated user is allowed to do within a system. In the video, authorization is a critical aspect of cybersecurity, ensuring that users like Bob have appropriate access rights to perform their tasks while preventing unauthorized actions. This is enforced through technical controls.

💡Encryption

Encryption is the method of converting data into a coded form to prevent unauthorized access. The video mentions encryption as a key strategy to protect data both at rest and in transit, using protocols like IPSec and TLS/SSL to secure network communications and verify the authenticity of websites.

💡Attack vectors

Attack vectors are the methods or pathways that attackers use to gain unauthorized access to systems. The video explains how the shift from centralized to distributed systems and the rise of wireless networks have increased the number of potential attack vectors, making cybersecurity more challenging.

💡Phishing

Phishing is a type of cyber attack where attackers deceive individuals into providing sensitive information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity. In the video, Bob is used as an example of a user who might fall victim to a phishing email, leading to malware installation on his system, highlighting the importance of user education.

💡Legacy systems

Legacy systems are outdated computer systems or applications that are still in use. The video contrasts early, centrally managed legacy systems, which had limited access points, with modern, interconnected networks that present more security challenges due to increased access points and distributed data.

💡Data in transit

Data in transit refers to data actively moving from one location to another, such as across the internet or through a private network. The video emphasizes the need to protect data in transit using encryption methods like IPSec and TLS/SSL to ensure its confidentiality and integrity during transfer.

💡Malware

Malware is malicious software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. In the video, the example of Bob clicking on a phishing link and installing malware on his system illustrates the risks posed by malware, such as ransomware, which can lock users out of their systems until a ransom is paid.

💡Forensics

Forensics in cybersecurity involves investigating and analyzing computer systems to uncover evidence of security breaches or cyber attacks. The video highlights the role of forensics in responding to attacks, understanding what happened, and using lessons learned to prevent future incidents, thus forming a critical part of the post-attack response.

Highlights

The process of entering a secure area involves leaving all digital devices behind to check clearance levels.

The shift from being a cashier in the 80s to working on secure systems highlights career growth in cybersecurity.

The need for cybersecurity is driven by the increasing number of digital connections and potential attack vectors.

Legacy systems had limited access and fewer attack methods, but networking and wireless access increased vulnerabilities.

Distributed devices and cloud servers have created more opportunities for cyber attacks compared to centralized systems.

Application security is critical, as insecure apps can create vulnerabilities that allow unauthorized data access.

Millions of attackers exist, and many are highly skilled, emphasizing the need for strong cybersecurity measures.

Cybersecurity involves protecting systems, networks, and applications from digital attacks and compromises.

The financial impact of security breaches can be devastating for businesses, potentially leading to their downfall.

Authentication and authorization are key components of cybersecurity, ensuring only authorized individuals can access data.

Two-factor authentication, combining something known (like a password) with something owned (like a smart card), is effective for verifying identities.

Encryption is crucial for maintaining data confidentiality, both at rest and in transit, using methods like IPSec and TLS/SSL.

Organizations must prepare for potential attacks by identifying vulnerabilities and implementing preventative measures.

Responding to attacks involves containing damage and restoring functionality, followed by forensic investigations to learn from incidents.

User education is vital, as users can be the weakest link; training helps prevent issues like phishing and malware infections.

Cybersecurity is an in-demand field, with various job roles and responsibilities that require ongoing learning and adaptation.

Transcripts

it was a Monday morning and I was

digitally empty meaning meaning I had to

leave my smartphone a laptop anything

digital I had to leave behind as they

checked my clearance level and let me in

and it turns out that's the process that

has to be followed when you're entering

a secure area and I thought to myself as

I was working on those systems whoa back

in the 80s I was a cashier and now I'm

in this you know secured area working on

some really amazing secure systems how'd

this happen and the answer is it happens

one step at a time and the market and

the need for security and cyber security

is huge and in this nugget I like to

chat with you about some of the drivers

for that and also we'll take a look in

this course as some potential

opportunities in cyber security careers

let's take a closer look in the early

days we had closed systems with old

legacy systems like mainframes with very

limited access it was centrally managed

and there wasn't just easy access into

the network to get to the mainframe we

came in through a terminal and as a

result there wasn't that many possible

attack vectors or methods if you will

that could be used to access that data

illegally unlawfully or compromise that

data but in the 80s as we started

networking and connecting devices

together the network became more and

more available first with Wired local

area networks LANs and then with

wireless access with things like Wi-Fi

it simply made it easier for individuals

to connect both honest and innocent

users as well as malicious individuals

also instead of having centralized

servers we now have distributed devices

we have computers with processing power

we have servers with processing power we

can have servers in the cloud so having

our content and services spread across

multiple devices also allows more

potential attack vectors or methods for

compromise of those systems another big

challenge are applications so we might

have a user

let's put Bob out here so we may have

Bob that's using an application then

that application is then accessing data

on a back-end server somewhere but if

that app is not secure that allows

additional vulnerabilities to exist

where some unauthorized individual could

compromise or access our data and as far

as attackers go the attackers out there

are in the millions of potential

attackers and I'm sure that hundreds of

thousands of those attackers are

actually really

good at what they do and that's why it's

important for organizations and

governments and individuals to be really

good at cybersecurity

now the question may come up Keith what

is cybersecurity effectively it's us

protecting our systems our networks our

applications from any kind of digital

attack or compromise and the reason is

so important is because it's so

expensive if there is compromise to our

systems and to our networks and to our

data case in point we may have an

organization that spent a decade in

building their business and putting

other systems in place they may have

hundreds of employees but if they are

attacked and compromised and all the

data they had regarding clients and

personally identifiable information and

other company secrets if that's all

stolen or exfiltrated out of the company

that may be the end of the company from

one simple security breach and let's

pause for a moment and think to

ourselves ok what does a company or

organization really need regarding

security and I think it boils down to

three basic things number one is that

only the people who are authorized who

are supposed to be able to access and

see and modify the data only those

people should be able to do that and to

make that happen we're gonna have to use

good authentication which is identifying

who an individual is or entity is as

well as authorization controlling what

they're allowed to do and we're gonna do

that with technical controls we're not

just gonna do the honor system

you know only login if you're supposed

to we're gonna force that with controls

called technical controls that make sure

that when Bob's logging in it's really

Bob and some methods that we might use

for authentication include two-factor

authentication

an example of that is something that Bob

knows like a pin or a password along

with another factor or another element

such as something Bob has like a car the

smart card that might have a computer

chip in it or a digital certificate in

it and both of those elements both of

those factors if you will are required

for Bob to log in and that would be a

good example of doing authentication to

prove that Bob is really Bob then once

Bob logs in and proves who he is

based on his permissions and rights he

can access various resources based on

his authorization like permissions of

what Bob's allowed to do another

security goal would be to make sure that

the unauthorized people shouldn't be

able to see our sensitive our private

information and the challenges

our information can be lots of places it

can be sitting at rest on a disk or a

flash drive or it could be moving

through the network coursing through the

veins of our network and that would be

referred to as data in transit and if

somebody steals a hard drive or if they

start listening in on the network

traffic and stealing the data how do we

protect it in one big way of keeping

that data that information confidential

so the unauthorized individual can't

read it or make sense of it is to use

encryption which is effectively

scrambling the data so that the

unauthorized people can't make sense of

it and popular methods of scrambling

data in motion include IPSec which is

just an acronym that means we're

securing IP and there's a whole bunch of

rules that are set up behind that to

make that possible another one to

protect data in motion is referred to as

TLS or SSL which is transport layer

security or Secure Sockets Layer and

that's a very popular option that we use

when we connect from a computer out to a

website that not only provides the

encryption and confidentiality it also

helps us to verify that we are talking

to the correct site and not some hacker

site and then the third element that a

company wants as far as protecting its

resources and assets and doing good

cyber security is to consider the

potential compromises or attacks that

might come up and then regarding those

compromises think about before during

and after and part of cyber security is

to consider okay before the attack

happens what could happen what are the

vulnerabilities or weaknesses that each

of our aspects of our system may have

and then put in countermeasures or

precautionary measures that can help

prevent that type of attack from being

successful and like my mom said a stitch

in time saves nine and preventing an

attack is way more desirable and takes a

lot less time and effort than cleaning

up after an attack

however if attacks do happen or

compromises do happen part of cyber

security would be to respond to those

attacks and that way the damage can be

identified contained with the intent to

restore full functionality and full

security and also minimize the impact

the negative impact of that security

breach and then after an attack there

may be some investigations that are

needed so part of cyber security would

be a well

thought-out plan of how we're going to

do forensics and investigations

regarding what happened to clearly

identify what did occur and the lessons

learned from that would also be used to

help prevent that type of an attack from

happening in the future and a huge

aspect regarding cybersecurity is

education

wow that's green Green is a little hard

to read let me read you that education

because a professional in the cyber

security field is just one person or one

team and there needs to be education

across the board users are often the

weakest link

case in point there may be a user here

like Bob and if Bob has excessive

permissions on his computer and gets an

email it clicks on a link and install

some software

there could be malicious software that's

being installed on his computer as a

result of his actions and getting a

bogus email would be an example of a

phishing attack and if Bob falls for it

the malware on his system could be

ransomware which you can require some

money or ransom to be paid for his

system to be unlocked or it could just

be a masquerade that's masquerading some

other attack that's currently in play so

maybe the attacker is using several

machines on the inside as misdirection

while they're going after some even more

critical data somewhere else so

continual training before during and

after for everyone involved is another

huge part in keeping our networks and

systems secure in this video we've

talked about the concept that the world

of cyber security is really important it

is definitely learn about and it is in

demand and in the next nugget we'll take

a look at some job roles in the world of

cyber security and some of those

responsibilities so I look forward to

seeing you in the very next video

meanwhile I hope this has been

informative for you and I'd like to

thank you for viewing