Cybersecurity involves all the measures put together to ensure the safety of internet users and their devices. This ensures that private and sensitive information is preserved, devices are free from intrusion, and applications are free from malware.
With the increased use of the internet, there’s a need to have increased cybersecurity measures as cybercrime perpetrators are constantly evolving new ways to cause mayhem.
This necessitates the services of a cybersecurity defender, someone whose responsibility is to combat cybercrimes, resolve security breaches, and implement safety measures to maintain cyber integrity thereby keeping internet users and their devices safe.
Organizations that deal with highly sensitive data often hire cybersecurity defenders to ensure that the organization remains protected at all times and should any breach occur, the defender responds swiftly before any critical damage is done.
In the line of duty, the defender faces a lot of dilemmas, and this poses a challenge for the cybersecurity defender.
Privacy Dilemma: Cybersecurity defenders in their line of work often come across information that they are protecting from the general public and this also violates privacy practice as well as raises ethical concerns.
Security Dilemma: Cybercriminals always seem a step ahead of the defenders and before a solution is found to an existing threat, an entirely new one seems to be out already. The loop continues and the defender is in a constant dilemma.
Accessibility Dilemma: This is among the biggest dilemmas a defender faces, the balance between making a system accessible while keeping it highly secured could be a challenge. They are faced with deciding how much is not too much.
Cost Dilemma: The cost of using the best defense tools is high. So, cybersecurity defenders are oftentimes worried about how to maintain cost while maintaining security.
User’s Error Dilemma: Even with the best cybersecurity technology and defender skills, the internet user can be a weak link in the line of defense. Actions like clicking a phishing link or sharing private information can destroy the effort of the defender.
The above gives us a glimpse into what a cybersecurity defender’s dilemma is and how tough the decisions they make each day can be.
These dilemmas, however, can be managed through a series of interventions which may include regular and impromptu security check-ups, this helps nip attacks in their budding stage should there be one.
Application of cybersecurity best practices at all times, while also using the best tools. Educating and communicating with the users can also be helpful as they will get to learn these best practices that are expected from them as well.
Having a well-detailed threat management plan is something that must not be looked at by a cybersecurity defender and this plan must be reviewed at intervals to ensure it is keeping up with the current security trend.
Overall, cybersecurity also requires the effort of every internet user. Everyone should always look out for cybercrime early warning signals and desist from taking actions that can potentially put them and their devices at risk.
Don’t miss important articles during the week. Subscribe to techbuild.africa weekly digest for updates.