What is Cybersecurity?

This is a visual map of almost every computer connected to the internet over a 24-hour period in 2012 created by an unknown person. Learn more about how the map was created here. Really cool story surrounding botnets, a hacking fude between two botnet creators, and grayhat hacking.

Our everyday lives are becoming influenced by computers and communication over the internet more and more each day. Ever since personal computing devices have entered in our lives / homes, the amount of time we spend consuming digital content on computer has grown exponentially. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has has made sure that the amount of time that we spend in front of our screens has increased exponentially over the past year alone. We're sure that when this global crisis is well done and over with within the next few years or so, that there will be tons of studies about how our dependence on devices has only grown evermore rapidly since the beginning of the pandemic. I believe that Professor Scott Galloway had put it best, this COVID-19 pandemic is an accelerant for trends. However, we believe that this is also especially true for the growing dependence that we have with our computers.

It is important to realize why we preface this article with all of that information. We as a species have never had access to this much information all at once. Additionally, computers and the internet are innovations that have only been around for quite a short amount of time in the scheme of our existence as a species. These technologies are still evolving and we are struggling to keep up with their evolution. Systems are getting faster, smarter, and more connected each day. We are putting more of our personal information on these devices and services out there each day (whether you know it or not).

Now I have gone this entire writeup without typing the name of what this article is about so let's get into it: What exactly is cybersecurity?

Well, let's start off with its dictionary definition. Merriam-Webster dictionary states that it is "measures taken to protect a computer or computer system (as on the Internet) against unauthorized access or attack". Pretty simple and straightforward in my opinion. One that covers a little bit more ground/might get a little more complicated is provided by the United States Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). When asked, they say that - "Cybersecurity is the art of protecting networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use and the practice of ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. It seems that everything relies on computers and the internet now—communication (e.g., email, smartphones, tablets), entertainment (e.g., interactive video games, social media, apps ), transportation (e.g., navigation systems), shopping (e.g., online shopping, credit cards), medicine (e.g., medical equipment, medical records), and the list goes on. How much of your daily life relies on technology? How much of your personal information is stored either on your own computer, smartphone, tablet or on someone else's system? ". Maybe not too too bad, but it does add a bunch of important intricacies that Merriam-Webster does not cover. Let's break it down.

"Cybersecurity is the art of protecting networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use". There is no bullet-proof-unhackable-unbeatable solution in security. When you think of a lock on a door, it is not an unbeatable defense. It does generally do a really good job as a deterrence for burglars while keeping your items safe, but there are always lockpicks, copies of keys, and breaching devices (as well as just accidentally or purposely leaving the door unlocked!). I say all of this to highlight the fact that cybersecurity is an art. There is no perfect solution or program that your IT person can run at work. It is all about doing your best to deter people from attacking you by using a wide variety of tools available to you.