Introduction
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 banking industry, which supports the financial infrastructure of every today’s world, is heavily reliant on the digital assets that it employs. Every financial institution owns a plethora of information about its clients and their assets, which, if falls into the wrong hands can result in a major catastrophe for the clients and for the financial institution itself. Therefore, a proactive approach to strengthening the security measures to protect the digital infrastructure is necessary to avoid any vulnerabilities to such threats.
Data Security has surfaced as a top level concern for executive teams in most financial services organization, as the impact of any cyber-attack might not be limited to just business or political consequences, but could extend to larger concerns including public and national security. Economic growth in many developing
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.
To start off with I chose to go with our banking or financial industry. The banking industry is constantly getting attacked by various methods on a daily basis. I chose this industry because I happen to know someone who works in the security sector at Wells Fargo Bank, he was a good person to get information on what he sees on a daily or weekly basis. This paper is the opinion of myself and with gathered information from various resources.
Since the onset of the first packet switching event that many believe to be beginning of the internet, no other technology besides the printing press has ever transformed the ability to deliver information. Although the internet is used by a large percentage of the civilized world, few Americans realize how vital cyberspace is to our national infrastructure. Today, we are faced with even more threats although it has been a recognized problem since 2009, when President Barrack Obama said “The cyber threat is one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation. It’s also clear that we’re not as prepared as we should be, as a government or as a country (Obama, 2009).” Every industry that operates in the United States is dependent on the internet for some aspect of their business. Commerce, transportation, financial institutions, military, as well as industrial control systems are all interconnected. This interconnectedness has created vulnerabilities within their infrastructure that have increasingly become targets of terrorists, script kiddies, foreign governments and hackers of all types.
The world of cyber security continues to introduce new threats each year against network infrastructures and computer devices. In the recent years, the impact from cyber-attacks has wreaked havoc on many company brands and organizational reputations. As this issue grows so does the technology to prevent and protect against these malicious attacks. It is absolutely crucial for organizations and businesses to shift focus from defense for different types of attacks to improving safeguards to mitigate the loss of sensitive data when an attack occurs. In addition to the traditional security technology used to detect an attack, companies will have to include
Cyber-security demands are ever increasing in the field of Information Technology with the globalization of the internet. Disruptions due to cyber-attacks are affecting the economy, costing companies billions of dollars each year in lost revenue. To counter this problem
Cyber security, also referred to as information technology security, focuses on protecting computers, networks, software programs and data from unintended or unauthorized access, change or destruction. Post 9/11 and other terrorist attacks, the United States grows its endeavors to repulse cyberattacks, U.S. corporate organizations and the government agencies wind up in strife over how to adjust to new methods of security and privacy. The current state of security measure protocols and privacy policies placed by the US government in cyberspace raises concerns for the 99%. This is due to the recent cyber-attacks on American corporate organization systems and government alike, where their digital information and network infrastructures within the systems were compromised, and personal data was hacked and stolen.
In today’s IT world every organization has a responsibility to protect the information and sensitive data they have. Protecting data is not only responsibility of security and IT staff but every individual is involved in protecting the information. The risks to information security are not digital only, but it involves technology, people and process that an organization may have. These threats may represent the problems that are associated to complex and expensive solution, but doing nothing about these risks is not the solution.
The risk of financial sector in the United States of America has become increasingly more apparent and more diverse to the United States over the last few decades partially because of the advanced computer and cyber based accounting networks that the Nation has shifted to. The security of our financial systems is absolutely critical including being one of the primary concerns and directly
Computers have become part of our daily complex lives; we depend heavily on computers to help break our complicated lives down. Most people now prefer to do things the digital way and so does companies. Most of trading (buying and selling) is now online which requires computers. In order to satisfy our hunger for digital living, there is a need for technology called the operating system to carry out the activities we require our computers to do. Computers and technology come in different forms and sizes and due to the capitalistic nature of our economy everyone is allowed to come up with their own form of computer and even the technology to run it. In recent years’ companies have gained interest doing business digitally and since software have become easier to write or code, it is also vulnerable- easy for programmers to access and exploit called hacking. Hackers are unapproved clients who break into a technological framework, change or decimate data, frequently by introducing hazardous malware without the insight and assent of the host company. Companies are now at risk of losing much more than money by doing business the digital way. It is in this view that the Security Exchange
In today’s world it is highly impossible for any kind of business to function without the assistance of technology. Any company that relies on digital data and computer networks have exposure to a host of varying Cyber Attacks. As technology continues to evolve, cyber security breaches become even more difficult to solve. The cybersecurity world rightly believes in the maxim – It’s not if, it’s when!
Cyber security must be an aggressive and evolving practice. Not only is it important to put security in place for current technology that can access electronic information, but also to look forward to future trends and strategies. Methods must also be developed that will continuously protect information regardless of growth and technological advances. As trends change and new technology develops it is the responsibility of businesses to balance cost saving measures with adequate security measures.
Cyber-Security risk will only increase in importance and require ever greater resources. As a Financial institution we store an increasing amount of data about their customers, the exposure to cyber-attacks is likely to further grow so we have to make protection against cyber-attacks one of our top strategic priority (The future of Bank Risk Management, 2016).
In today’s vastly technological world, when it comes to internet and computer security, people are either scared or unaware of the dangers present. Everything we use in our daily lives, from devices such as phones, tablets, and computers, to cars, gas stations, and electrical plants, is run by computers. This puts millions and billions of people at risk with impending security attacks just a keystroke away. The threat of an attack or breach in a system puts information security at a premium for many organizations and individuals. Therefore the onus is on businesses and organizations to ensure the confidentiality of information in their possession. Securing information prevents breaches and cyberattacks, protects the privacy of
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.
Safety of information is the most valuable asset in any organization particular those who provide financial service to others. Threats can come from a variety of sources such as human threats, natural disasters and technical threats. By identifying the potential threats to the network, security measure can be taken to combat these threats, eliminate them or reduce the likelihood and impact if they should occur.