The simple concept of security has become more difficult to define with the onset of the Information Age. Long ago, security was a concept limited to the physical. Members of a group and their resources and supplies were secured. Today, however, society has become more complex, to the point that information, ideas, and concepts are among our most precious possessions. Though it may not have a physical presence, information needs to be kept secure.
This necessity presents many challenges. Ensuring that and individual, government, or business’ information was secure used to mean restricting access to important files and documents. Encryption was occasionally used to make information less accessible if it was found.
Today, however, important information is less likely to be stored in a physical place. The internet has made it possible to send vast quantities of data across the globe within seconds. Data can be transmitted, stored, copied, assessed, and destroyed virtually. The challenge of securing information has never been so difficult.
A Definition of IT Security
Information technology (IT) security is the process of implementing a process, procedure, or system to protect information. This information might include personal data, such as identification information or credit card information. It may include recorded conversations, images, films, data sets, research, or business transactions. Technology that allows for this process to take place allows users to create, store, access, and exchange information, while preventing unauthorized access, modification, malfunction, misuse, disclosure, and/or destruction of that information. This allows the information to retain its value, and affords businesses and individuals the right to privacy.
Also referred to as computer security, information technology security is usually applied to some form of technology, such as a tablet, smartphone, desktop computer, or laptop. Since employees and individuals are becoming increasingly reliant on portable devices, such as smartphones, which pose an even higher risk of a security breach, information technology security is rapidly changing to assess these needs. Today, it’s imperative that every major organization or business hire IT security professionals to protect their information from malicious software, cyberattacks, and other common forms of data loss that represent privacy breaches.
Network Security
Network security is a crucial process within information technology security. It’s a set of practices that ensure a network is secured, monitoring and preventing unauthorized access to a network, which might in turn lead to access to information or data. Network security is usually managed by a network administrator. The most common way to ensure that a network is to secure is to implement a user authentication system. A username and password are chosen or assigned to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to the network. Users who do not have authorized access cannot access data on the network.
Like IT security, network security is carried out by both individuals and organizations, and is a widespread in the everyday operations of most businesses. Network security ensures that transactions, communications, data, and other sensitive information are transmitted within a network that can only be accessed by authorized members.