What is cybersecurity and why is it important?

The digital era has brought with it a growing dependence on information technologies, both for individuals and companies. Alongside undeniable advantages, this shift also requires the adoption of techniques and tools to protect against increasing threats. This, in short, could be the answer to the question of what cybersecurity is. However, it is a much more complex field.

What is cybersecurity?

First and foremost, understanding what cybersecurity is means understanding the importance of data and the need to protect it. In fact, it is the set of tools, procedures, and technologies designed to protect IT systems and networks from external threats. These include direct attacks, data theft, malware, and other forms of cybercrime. But in a broader sense, cybersecurity is also the discipline responsible for raising awareness and promoting best practices against the risks of digital life.

Cybersecurity is an increasingly decisive challenge, not only in the economic sphere, but also as a field of conflict and confrontation between states. Its consequences directly affect citizens due to the widespread use of phones, televisions, and the various devices that make up the Internet of Things (IoT), impacting strategic sectors such as medicine, transport, household appliances, and finance.

While individuals can fall victim to serious scams and extortion, companies and organizations are the most exposed to cybercriminal threats. They may suffer data breaches, operational shutdowns, sabotage of activities, and loss of customer trust. Corporate cybersecurity addresses all of these challenges.

The importance of cybersecurity in companies

To understand the importance of cybersecurity, we can refer to data provided by Cybersecurity Ventures: it is estimated that cybercrime will cost the world 8 trillion dollars in 2023. If it were a country, cybercrime would be the third largest economy in the world, after the United States and China.

If citizens must learn basic rules of good conduct and precautions related to digital citizenship, companies need to invest in cybersecurity at a professional level, starting with employee training. Not only to reduce the risk of data leaks, but also to demonstrate commitment to the security of customer and partner data, gaining reputational benefits as well.

This is why cybersecurity has been one of the fields with the greatest job opportunities for years, according to the World Economic Forum, among others. Indeed, awareness of the importance of cybersecurity forces companies to seek expert technicians, either by hiring directly or relying on specialized external agencies. A cybersecurity expert is a consultant with operational capabilities who, depending on the project or company, may work independently or in a team.

Since this is a constantly evolving field, cybersecurity training must necessarily be highly technical and practical, attentive and flexible in order to quickly face new threats. However, in addition to hands-on experience, companies also value professionals who can demonstrate higher education qualifications, such as a Global Master in Business Analytics and Data Strategy or a Master in Big Data & Analytics.

What does a cybersecurity expert do?

In reality, there are many professional roles that, to varying degrees, can explain what cybersecurity is with full expertise. Each one has different skills and responsibilities.

• Security Analyst. Monitors corporate networks and systems to detect any suspicious activity by analyzing logs.
• Ethical Hackers. Test systems to find vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers and simulate attacks to verify security.
• Security Engineer. Designs and implements security solutions to protect IT infrastructure and company data.
• IT Security Specialist. Handles operational aspects of cybersecurity, such as implementing security hardware or software.
• Incident Responder. Intervenes when a security breach or incident occurs. Their job is to manage the situation, minimize damage, and recover as quickly as possible.
• Security Auditor. Reviews and evaluates a company’s security measures to ensure they are adequate and compliant with regulations.
• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). The main person responsible for the company’s cybersecurity strategy, ensuring that all initiatives and policies are aligned with business objectives.
• IT Manager. Broadly responsible for the security of data managed by the company’s information systems.
• Security Consultant. Advises companies on how to improve their cybersecurity posture, often providing recommendations on technologies, practices, and policies.
• Security Researcher. Focuses on discovering new vulnerabilities, understanding emerging threats, and creating tools or methods to counter them.
• Security Software Developer. Develops software that protects information and networks, such as firewalls, antivirus programs, and intrusion detection systems.
• Security Architect. Designs a company’s security structure, ensuring that policies, processes, and architectures are integrated to provide maximum protection.
• Security Trainer. Responsible for training staff—often the weakest link in the chain—on best security practices to prevent threats.

What does cybersecurity consist of?

From a technical perspective, understanding what cybersecurity consists of is not simple, as it includes a wide range of tools and strategies designed to protect networks, devices, programs, and data from attacks, damage, or unauthorized access. Therefore, it is not just about installing a good antivirus or choosing a strong password.

Experts summarize it into three essential pillars, often referred to as the ‘CIA Triad’ (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability).

Confidentiality

Confidentiality ensures that information is accessible only to those authorized to view it: personal, corporate, and government data must be protected from unauthorized access.

Integrity

Integrity ensures that information and systems are accurate and not modified without authorization. It is essential to guarantee that data is not altered, whether intentionally or accidentally, by unauthorized sources.

Availability

Availability ensures that data and services are accessible whenever needed.

What is clear is that cybersecurity is not only an obligation, but also an opportunity for growth and business and professional development.