Cybersecurity experts have exponentially more opportunities today as a result of all this. Cybersecurity training online programs continue to proliferate.
In the 21st century, the internet and digital technology have become increasingly important to our daily lives. Hyper-connected lives come with increased risks as a result of that growth.
Several new security threats have emerged in recent months: massive data breaches, private information sales, browsers that snoop and record your activities – which will require well-trained and talented security experts to address. There is a definite need for cybersecurity training.
People of all ages are increasingly concerned about cybercrime, which includes identity theft and fraud. Cybersecurity experts have exponentially more opportunities today as a result of all this. Cybersecurity training online programs continue to proliferate. Once considered a specialization within computer science, information security has become its own field.
Everyone interested in learning more about the field will find this cybersecurity guide useful.
Information Security Basics
In operating system hardening, we strive to reduce the number of possible attacks our operating system might face. In order to decrease the risk of an attack, it is necessary to remove unnecessary software, disable or remove essential services, change common accounts, apply software updates in a timely manner, and use software auditing and logging tools.
As part of the preparation of a Web server, we must have the software for building the Web server, any libraries of code interpreters that are required, as well as any utilities necessary to maintain the operating system. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or applications like Microsoft Office should be removed if they will function solely as a Web Server. Unnecessary services should also be removed or disabled.
All of these information security basics are cybersecurity best practices for business. An attacker with knowledge of what they are doing may be able to cause a lot of trouble when using a default account with excessively liberal permissions, so they should be disabled or removed.
Other basics include:
- Permitting a party to do its job only with the “least privilege” (those permissions that are absolutely necessary)
- Anti-malware protection
- Updating all necessary software
- Host-intrusion protection
- Protecting your network with software firewalls
- Activating logging and auditing
Questions?
We can help! Talk to the Trava Team and see how we can assist you with your cybersecurity needs.
Introduction to Cybersecurity
Essentially, cyber security is the protection of networks and devices from external threats. A cybersecurity professional is typically employed by businesses to ensure that confidential information is protected, employees are productive, and customers are confident in their products.
Cybersecurity revolves around the CIA standard, which stands for confidentiality, integrity, and availability. In order to maintain privacy, information must only be accessible to authorized parties; to maintain integrity, users must have access to information; and to ensure availability, systems, functions, and data must be available on demand.
Authentication mechanisms are at the core of cybersecurity. User names identify accounts a user wishes to access, while passwords prove a user’s identity.
To ensure personal information’s safety and security, cyber security notes refer to safe and responsible internet usage. Furthermore, it includes not putting anyone else’s information at risk.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an agency of the US Department of Commerce, establishes network security standards. NIST maintains and promotes measurement standards. Additionally, the organization encourages and assists industry and science to develop and use these standards.
Cybersecurity Plan Example
The following five steps can provide the framework for a cybersecurity plan:
- Make a list of what needs protection in your organization.
- Enhance the security of those assets by taking protective measures.
- Monitor threats with the right tools.
- Detect threats and respond accordingly. Establish a standard operating procedure.
- In the event of a breach, have a recovery plan in place.
Cybersecurity Basics for Beginners
Learning cybersecurity basics for beginners begins with understanding what exactly it is and why it is important. A cybersecurity system protects networks and devices from attacks, damage, and unauthorized access. In today’s world, data is the cornerstone of all organizations, including the military, hospitals, large corporations, and small businesses.
In cybersecurity training for beginners, three principles are taught: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Throughout the history of mainframe computing, this triad has been the industry standard for computer security.
- Confidentiality: Information and functions that are sensitive can only be accessed by authorized parties.
- Integrity: Information and functions that are sensitive can only be altered, added, or removed by authorized individuals and organizations.
- Availability: Data, systems, and functions must be accessible at any time based on agreed-upon parameters.
Many cybersecurity courses for beginners are free. Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are offered by some of the best colleges and universities in the world. These free classes cover a wide range of topics relevant to cybersecurity professionals, including networking, operating systems, database management, and security.
Through message boards and forums, students interact with other participants in most MOOCs. For anyone interested in learning more about cybersecurity, MOOCs can be useful tools, even if they don’t offer college credit.
Some of the best cybersecurity courses for beginners are listed at cyberdegree.org. They list a number of free courses, but it is not an exhaustive list. For learners who want a graded class option and a certificate of completion, organizations such as edX and Coursera charge tuition. Students who stack their courses to complete credentials such as MicroMasters® programs are also charged.
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Cybersecurity for Small Businesses
Through the Internet, businesses of all sizes and locations can reach new and larger markets and use computer-based tools to work more efficiently. Cybersecurity should be a part of any company’s plan, whether they plan to adopt cloud computing or just maintain a website and use email. It has become more common to report digital information theft than physical theft. Businesses that use the Internet are responsible for fostering a culture of security that enhances consumer and business confidence.
The best cybersecurity for small businesses involves training employees in security principles. It is important for companies to establish appropriate Internet use guidelines for employees, including penalties for violating cybersecurity policies. It’s also important to develop policies concerning the handling and protection of customer information.
Other cybersecurity best practices for small businesses include:
- Cyberattack protection for information, computers, and networks
- Internet security with a firewall
- Action plan for mobile devices
- Data and information backups
- Protect your computers from unauthorized access
- Each employee should have a user account
- Make sure your Wi-Fi network is secure
- Pay attention to payment card best practices
- Data and information access should be limited for employees
- Software installation authority should be limited
- Follow best practices when it comes to passwords and authentication
Cybersecurity Training for Employees
Can you imagine what would happen if an intruder gained access to all the personal and financial information of your employees? There are many kinds of malware, ransomware, spam, and hacking that can affect your company (and most companies in the world).
If employees do not know how to recognize a security threat, how can they avoid it, report it, or remove it? You’ll also find plenty of shocking statistics too to back you up. According to the 2019 State of IT Security Survey, email security and employee training are the top IT security challenges. Wombat Security Technologies surveyed employees and found that more than 30% didn’t even know what phishing or malware was. An FBI public service announcement stated that Business Email Compromise (BEC) results in over $3 billion in losses per year (from June 14, 2016).
Firewalls and security software aren’t enough for these companies. Phishers most commonly target employees rather than technology. Employees make mistakes because they are humans. Criminals use sneaky tactics to access their company information, including faking identities, exploiting clickbait, and gaining access through fake identities. That’s the importance of cybersecurity training for employees.
Cybersecurity training online is essential for your employees to protect themselves and your company. You’re strengthening the most vulnerable links in your chain by educating employees about security threats, how they might present, and how to respond.
Free Government Cyber Security Training
Federal Virtual Training Environment (FedVTE) offers more than 850 hours of free government cybersecurity training in cloud security, ethical hacking, risk management, malware analysis, and more.
Security Best Practices for Companies
It doesn’t matter how good your company’s security software is or how comprehensive its office policies are, your actions play a huge role in protecting data. Data breaches can result from a single employee sharing sensitive company information on their smartphone or clicking on a corrupt link.
It’s a good idea to learn about security best practices for companies. It can go a long way toward helping protect your organization if you educate yourself about the small things that contribute to cybersecurity.
Some general cybersecurity best practices include staying safe online, following company rules, and reaching out for help if you encounter anything suspicious. The following are 10 cybersecurity best practices for companies every employee should know and follow.
- Make sure your data is protected
- Make sure your passwords are strong and authenticated
- Make sure your files are backed up
- Make security systems a priority
- Protect your home and work computers with a firewall
- Don’t click on unknown emails or pop-ups
- Consult your IT department
- Software updates should be installed
- Secure Wi-Fi connection
- Implement third-party controls
- Education and training should be embraced
There are many resources that offer cybersecurity training free, so make sure to take advantage of them.
Sources
- https://cybersecurityguide.org/
- https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/feature/The-Basics-of-Information-Security
- https://ladderpython.com/lesson/class-11-cyber-safety-notes-online-safety-and-security-notes/
- https://www.simplilearn.com/introduction-to-cyber-security-article
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/centurylink/2015/10/29/how-to-create-a-cyber-security-plan-in-5-steps/?sh=31c41ec58652
- https://www.simplilearn.com/tutorials/cyber-security-tutorial/cyber-security-for-beginners
- https://www.cyberdegrees.org/resources/free-online-courses/
- https://www.fcc.gov/communications-business-opportunities/cybersecurity-small-businesses
- https://www.precisely.com/
- https://www.efrontlearning.com/blog/2019/03/cyber-security-training-for-employees-101.html
- https://niccs.cisa.gov/education-training/federal-virtual-training-environment-fedvte
- https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-how-to-cyber-security-best-practices-for-employees.html