Understanding the Reality of Today’s Cyber Security
In today’s advanced world, cyber-attacks are a daily danger to everybody from individuals to businesses and even governments. As cybercriminals get more and more smarter, we rely more on technology or the internet, keeping information protected has become a huge concern for businesses everywhere. From phishing scams to data theft, cyber-attacks keep changing, leading people to wonder how to guard against these modern risks.
Cybercrime keeps changing, so do the ways we defend against it. This article takes a closer look at modern cybersecurity, digging into the challenges companies face as they try to build strong digital defences. It explores how breaches happen—whether through manipulation or hidden risks—and gives a hint into the future of cybersecurity, highlighting new threats and opportunities in the fight to protect our digital world from hackers and viruses.
The Changing Scene of Cyber Threats: Cyber threats hide in every digital corner. They always change, get smarter, and cause more harm. It’s not just big companies at risk – anyone can be a target. These attacks can hurt a business for years costing tons of money and damaging reputations. The scary part? There are so many types of attacks. From malware(virus) that gets into your computer and scam emails that tricks you into giving away your information, the list goes on. And with the new technologies like Artificial intelligence etc., hackers have even more ways to make more trouble.
On May 15, 45 Nagaland individuals were in Punjab jails on non-bailable cybercrime charges, with ten from the Naga Tribe. The situation was revealed by NGO volunteer Neeraj Punj, who urged parents to be aware of their children’s imprisonment and to inspect recruiting companies that lure individuals into criminal activities. Legal assistance is being sought for the held individuals.
Building a Cyber Fortress: Defence Plans- Building strong cyber defences is like constructing a castle from the Middle Ages. Just as a castle has many layers of protection, a good cybersecurity plan uses a layered approach. This means using different security measures to protect your data. It’s not just about having one big wall; it’s about having many small walls that work together.
The goal is to make it hard for hackers to get through. Even if they get past one level more awaits them. This approach is called “defence in depth” and it works well. It is like having a backup plan for another plan. The most important tricks include using a stronger password, keeping software or applications UpToDate, and teaching people to spot threats. It’s also important to have a plan for what to do if an attack happens. Remember, cybersecurity isn’t a single thing; it needs daily attention.
On 18 May, the Nagaland Police held a Consultative Meeting on Cyber Crime Awareness in Kohima to raise awareness about rising cyber threats. The meeting pointed out the need for regular updates and the importance of educating the public to protect against cyber threats. The panel session provided valuable ideas and encouraged creative communication to improve cyber security measures and create a safer digital environment.
The Human Factor: Manipulation- Even though cyber-attacks often involve advanced technology; people are still a major weak spot. Manipulation, which tricks people into revealing sensitive information or making risky decisions, is a favourite tactic for cybercriminals. They use psychological tricks to gain trust, and even if just one person falls for it, it can put the entire business at risk.
Inner risk poses another big risk. With the rise of working from home and high job cuts, the chance of data loss has grown. In fact, inner risk has increased by 44% since 2020. These dangers come in three types: careless, fraudulent, and hacked. Many people fall into the ‘careless’ group usually taking the easy path when it comes to safety practices
To avoid such risks, businesses need to build a strong security environment. This includes regular training, clear rules communication, and making all staff feel responsible. When everyone puts safety first, businesses can properly protect against dangers from outside and inside.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) reported that over Rs 10,300 crore were stolen from the country by cybercriminals since April 1, 2021. The number of cybercrime cases on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) rose by 113.7 per cent in 2022, with 9.66 lakh cases reported. The I4C has managed to block around Rs 1,127 crore, with 9-10 per cent of the stolen amount being restored to victims’ accounts. Around 50% of cyber-attacks are committed by “gangs” from Cambodia, Myanmar, China, and other countries.
Future of Cybersecurity: Challenges and Opportunities- The future of cybersecurity looks like a high-stakes fight between attackers and defenders, with machine learning and artificial intelligence leading the charge. Bad guys plan to use these technologies to spot weak points and launch difficult attacks. On the other side, good guys are using machine learning and artificial intelligence to catch and stop these attacks. The present technology race brings new problems, like difficult machine learning techniques where hackers mess with information used for training. But it also opens doors for better danger spotting and quick problem-solving. As things change, businesses need to keep up by concentrating on good data training their people, and trying new ideas to fill the cybersecurity skills gap.
The field of cybersecurity keeps changing, and staying ahead offers a major challenge. We have noticed a large list of attacks ranging from clever phishing techniques to internal weaknesses. Creating a strong defence doesn’t just rely on modern technology – it also depends on educating every member of an organisation to identify and fight possible dangers. It’s as if we’re all part of a huge team working to protect our digital world.
Looking ahead, artificial intelligence and machine learning will have a big effect on attacks and defence. This means cybersecurity experts must stay aware and keep up with new technologies. While it may scare others, it’s also exciting to see how new technology could help us fight back from hackers. In conclusion, online security is what we all need to work on together, from big companies down to everyday people like you and me.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editorial team includes Chubamenla, Asst. Professor, Dept. of English and Rinsit Sareo, Asst. Manager, IT, Media & Communications.
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