Cyber Security - Definition, Cyber Attacks, Need and Laws

Computer security, cybersecurity or information technology security (IT security) is the protection of computer systems and networks from information disclosure, theft of or damage to their hardware, software, or electronic data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide.

The field is becoming increasingly significant due to the increased reliance on computer systems, the Internet and wireless network standards such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and due to the growth of “smart” devices, including smartphones, televisions, and the various devices that constitute the “Internet of things”.

The government of India is taking many initiatives to enhance cybersecurity. With the rapid development of information technology, it is critical to provide a safe and secure cyberspace. The topic, ‘Cyber Security’ comes under GS-III syllabus of the IAS Exam. This article will provide you with relevant facts about cybersecurity.

What is Cyber?

The term, ‘Cyber’ is used in relation to the culture of computers, information technology, and virtual reality. The connection between internet ecosystems forms cyberspace. The threat to cyberspace leads to an issue and gives rise to the need for cybersecurity

Threats to Cyberspace:

1. Interconnectedness of Sectors
2. Increase in the number of exposure points
3. Concentration of assets

As per the NITI Aayog report, the threats to cyberspace have increased dramatically over the last 10 years. The cyber attacks lead to the exposure of:

1. Sensitive information
2. Personal information and
3. Business information

The need for Cyber Security

Cyber Security protects the cyberspace from the following:

1. Cyber Attacks
2. Damage to Cyberspace
3. Misuse of Cyberspace
4. Economic Espionage

Cyber Security – Evolution

With the introduction of cyberattacks, cybersecurity initiatives have evolved. They are mentioned in the table below:

Cyber Threats and Cyber Security

There are types of cyber attacks that have evolved over a period of time:

1. Virus – It is a malware that self-replicates and spreads by inserting copies of itself into other executable code or documents.
2. Hacking Websites – An unauthorized access to any website belonging in a personal or professional space
3. Malicious Codes – It is a kind of security threat where any code present in software tends to bring harmful effects, breach the security of the system, or bring damage to the system.
4. Advanced Worm and Trojan – This is again a malware that camouflages as a regular software however once accessed, brings damage to the hard drive, background systems and corrupts allocation systems
5. Identity Theft and Phishing – It is a cyber attack involving fraudulent emails posing as authorized entities in order to induce people to reveal their information (personal and professional.)
6. DOS, DDOS – DOS stands for Denial-of-Service attack, and DDOS stands for Distributed Denial-of-Service attack. The attackers make the machine or network unavailable by disrupting services of the host network through the flood of superfluous requests to overload systems. And when such flooding of requests comes from various ends, it is termed as DDOS.
7. Cyber Espionage – Usually when a government’s or important organization’s privacy is posed at risk due to illegal use of computer networks to seek confidential information.
8. Cyber Warfare – Deliberately attacking the information systems through the use of computer technology to disrupt the state’s activities, especially for military purposes.

Cyber Attacks in India

The topmost causes of cyber attacks are:

1. Phishing and Social Engineering
2. Malware
3. Spear Phishing
4. Denial of Service
5. Out of Date Software Ransomware

The table below gives the list of cyberattacks that India has witnessed in the past:

Cyber Security – Who are the Cyber Attackers?

There are kinds of cyber players who harm cybersecurity:

• Cyber Criminals
• Cyber Terrorists
• Cyber Espionage
• Cyber Hacktivist

As per the Niti Ayog report, the following are the sets of the group behind the cybersecurity breaches

Find the difference between Malware and Virus by visiting the linked article.

Cyber Security – Cyber Swachhta Kendra

It is the Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre under the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The aim of Cyber Swachhta Kendra is to promote awareness among Indian citizens to secure their data in computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices.

Cyber Security – Indian Laws & Government Initiatives

There are various legislations that support cybersecurity in India. The table below mentions these:

Cyber Security – UPSC Notes:-Download PDF Here

Aspirants can also refer to important GS-III topics linked in the table below:

Aspirants can become familiar with the general pattern of the IAS exam by visiting the IAS Syllabus page. For more preparation materials they can refer to the links given in the table below:

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