Security Assessment : Digital Communications Technologies Essay

The proficiency and efficacy of the cyberspace in its application in accounting, finance, system designs, manufacturing etc., cannot be denied nor neglected. The reality of the twenty-first century is simple; no organization can survive without the adoption and implementation of the mechanism of information technology to their area of business. On the contrary perspective, there are several challenges that are associated with the cyberspace, among which is majorly cyber security. Recently the hackers’ activity has really skyrocketed and has become a major concern for organizations, states and federal governments and even international organizations. Several regulatory schemes are put in place to mitigate the activities of hackers across the globe.

Cyber security is one of the most significant issues facing world leaders today. Besides, threats from cyber attacks pose serious challenges to global network. In fact, most governments recognize the need to implement cyber security in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) systems. Cyber security is important because it ensures security of information. ICT systems encompass various aspects of the government. For instance, ICT systems cover national security, well being and economy of the government. Essentially, cyber security ensures that reliable information is relayed to the right systems. Notably, Australian authorities are increasing awareness on cyber crimes. Additionally,

Moreover, many organizations within the public and private sector heavily relies on technology to carry out their day to day operations. Those cyber technologies help make many difficult or tedious tasks easier to do and technology can also carry out many of those tasks more effectively and efficiently than humans can. However, cyber technologies are at risk of espionage, cyber attacks, or other crimes such as theft and fraud (Ammori & Poellet, 2010).

The immediate cyber threats to national security has been assessed as high. Cyber security threats are increasing in the number, type and sophistication of the threat. Although a detailed analysis is currently being developed, the ACSC’s Threat Report 2015 predicts the following attributes of cybercrime to increase in the coming decade.

The number of significant computer security breaches around the globe is continuously growing. Typically, at least once a month. a major news story is published about an extensive data breach or a company being hacked. Many organizations are being compromised by means of software vulnerabilities, distributed denial of service attacks, and in many cases their own employees. By the end of 2015 over 4.9 billion devices will be connected to the internet and any one of them could be susceptible to an unknown number of exploits allowing an attacker access into the device (Gartner, Inc.). There are several factors contributing to the recent increase in cyber crimes and even though numerous companies have already fallen victim to them, there are sure to be more.

Businesses, Governments and academic institutions are becoming needy on the internet in their day to day undertakings. Similarly, consumers are increasing their use of e-commerce and online shopping more. This indicates increasing openings for hackers to intercept and disrupt activities.

Prevalent to the current trend now is the dependency of the society on Information technology and communication systems. Every aspect of human life is one way or the other linked and controlled by information technology tools. The importance of information technology cannot be over emphasized as its unavailability could lead to a form of disaster or the other. Pivotal infrastructures like finance, healthcare, education and security are driven by information technology. However, information technology and its benefits are accompanied by vulnerabilities and risks that can be exploited by people with the necessary technical skills. Individuals like ‘Hackers’ and ‘Cyber Terrorist’ can cause disruption to information systems, commit financial fraud and also attack computers and networks. These attacks and disruptions could result to violence against people and properties. In some cases, death, serious injuries and severe economic loss could occur as a result of these attacks.

In this time where the use of computers and networks related to them has become a common thing, there have been developed problems with concerns about cyber-security. Cyber-security is an important factor to be considered if one is to be able to protect themselves from malicious people and software from the Internet. The majority of the threats to computer networks come from the Internet and they are often intentional, having been developed by people with malicious intent. Cyber security is an attempt by individuals to protect their personal information and other digital assets from attacks from the Internet.

Cyber security became ever more crucial for global business and modern society. We are living in a data-centric world in which information technology and associated communications ' systems as well as networks that provide goods and services permeate every facet of our lives. This creates the safeguard of our digital assets and activities within cyberspace of critical importance, whether for individual life experience or a prosperous and sustainable society. But the challenge to understand cyber risk and deliver effective and accessible security becomes harder as technology continues to rapidly evolve and our systems become ever more complex. We are increasingly dependent upon such

Computer systems have become essential to the way of life that exists in the United States and other Western nations. However, America’s dependency on computers results in the nation being vulnerable to cyber-attacks. This paper will discuss cyber threats to American security as they pertain to the nation’s government, military, businesses, and infrastructure. Such threats include possible acts of cyber terrorism, as well as espionage and information theft. It will be seen that cyber-attacks could result in physical as well as economic damage to the nation. It will be argued that the threat of cyber-attack is real and that it needs to be taken seriously. Since the techniques of those involved

More than 2/5th of the cyber incidents reported by federal agencies last year were attempts to access U.S. networks or propagate malicious code (White, 2014). As each year progresses we see more and more attacks. The research found that the number of detected information security incidents has risen 66% year over year since 2009 (White, 2014). In the 2014 survey, the total number of security incidents detected by respondents grew to 42.8 million around the world, up 48% from 2013—an average of 117,339 per day (White, 2014).

The human dependence on technology has been increasing rapidly because humans are trying to incorporate technology in every aspect of life. The increasing dependence on technology in today’s world has led to an increased level of vulnerability of the private information of the people. Most of the technology being used today is open to attack and can be hacked. According to CFO Magazine Global Business Outlook Survey, 80 percent of the U.S. companies have been hacked successfully [PHYS ORG, website]. Thus, cyber-security is a major concern in today’s world. One of the major causes of vulnerabilities found in cyber-security is the acts done by people either performed deliberately or accidentally.

In an age where every sophisticated industry relies on computer systems and data centers for its operations, any kind of vulnerabilities in such system might provide an opportunity for exploitation to someone with an inappropriate intention. The constant threat of digital breach and exploitation gave birth to the field of Cyber Security, which is the field of technology dedicated to protecting computer devices and information systems from unintended or unauthorized access to the software, hardware or the information they hold. It also involves preventing disruption or misdirection of the services they provide.

The human dependence on technology has been increasing rapidly because humans are trying to incorporate technology in every aspect of life. The increasing dependence on technology in today’s world has led to an increased level of vulnerability of the private information of the people. Most of the technology being used today is open to attack and can be hacked. According to CFO Magazine Global Business Outlook Survey, 80 percent of the U.S. companies have been hacked successfully [PHYS ORG, website]. Thus, cyber-security is a major concern in today’s world. One of the major causes of vulnerabilities found in cyber-security is the acts done by people either performed deliberately or accidentally.

Cybercrime has become a fast growing concern for the 21st century as businesses, institutions and individuals grow into an interconnected web of computer networks. Online business transactions, along with the sharing of personal information, are vulnerable to a host of disasters that can reap economic and social havoc. Some sources say that today, cybercrime costs more than $1.0 trillion to society--Global Industry Analysts, Inc. forecasted the world cyber security market to reach $80 billion by 2017 (Gale, 2011).