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Current Challenges Facing Cyber Security
Abstract
Modern technology has been used today in various fields and it has proved to be of importance. Technology as a whole makes the world appear small in terms of distance due to fast transport and communication and a huge task to be less. Many people have been so dependent on technology, which is advancing fast. The technology faces quite several challenges with the main one being cyber-crimes in different organizations and that where cybersecurity plays its part in the protection of vital information from being accessed or destroyed by unauthorized individuals. Cybersecurity plays a significant role in ensuring that any computer-related information is secure, no harm can come to it or threat is detected early before it thrives (Raman, 2019, p.3). Despite that still, the cybersecurity faces a lot of challenges; the main objective of this paper is to focus on those challenges faced by cybersecurity, making it less effective in playing its role. Also on some of the measures that have been taken in preventing the crimes associated with computer systems (Sutherland, 2018, p. 27).
Introduction
The world today starting from an individual moving to the largest organizations, all at least have a computer system for either storing information or used in day to day activities. Human beings can communicate with their loved ones from the far distance, they can travel long distance within the shortest time possible, and also they make what is deemed to be less effective, to be efficient. This is how good the technology is and why people are obsessed with it day in day out. Before all this, there is still the fact that they are unable to safeguard their information mostly the private one (Sadeghi et al., 2015, p. 4). This is why this paper is of importance as it makes one realize that within a fraction of a second or a mini second one can lose over a million in his bank account, millions of passwords could be hacked, the funny part is that someone can give out your money for donation without your knowledge, a virus can be sent into your computer to disrupt it or malware this is mostly associated with computers. That is how cyber-crime is and you can imagine how the victims cope with such surprise events when they do occur, in some cases, others take their lives in such a situation. These may occur due to the lack of cybersecurity that allows computer and other machines to be exploited (Sutherland, 2018, p. 27).
Objectives
To come up with a strategy that can respond quickly from cyber incidents and also prevent them when they occur.
To ensure that there is integrity maintained and availability of linked systems.
Encourage the creation of cyber secured machines to fight cyber threats.
Literature Review
This paper will give a view of the major threats to cybersecurity and privacy protection. Introduction of One Time Password (OTP) has also helped secure certain services in the network like emails and other accounts (Sutherland, 2018, p. 27). The current trend in the technology has left every solution to be put in doubt because the cybercriminals use the same tools in deploying their illegal tasks of hacking or spreading viruses. Most people do not realize the power a computer holds until it breaks down and stops functioning as usual. The machine, just like human beings one can easily manipulate and make it do what he or she wants to do with it despite the real owner, by this it means that it doesn’t matter the position, location, and ownership of the machine. This will not guarantee anyone that their machines cannot be compromised (Dawson, 2016).
With the advancement in technology currently going on to another level, imagine a free cybersecurity globe. The machines and the computer invented don’t have a cyber-security in mind, it will put the world at a greater risk given things like drone are controlled freely in the sky, trains that use electricity, and automated vehicles. This great efficiency which is positive for now could turn out to be negative if cyber-crimes are not eliminated or resolved as quickly as possible (Knowles et al., 2015, p.75).
Artificial intelligence is created to behave more like human beings as it detects any threat intrusion. It identifies mostly what it has been trained to and it does the job well. This is a tool designed to fight cybercrime. It can handle a large number of issues and analyze them to be it organization’s emails, files or site (Yampolskiy, 2016). It is good in the detection of unknown threats that tend to take time to be noticed by other software. As mentioned earlier is that some of the threat are entertained by an ignorant individual who for instance get email links but decide to risk clicking onto the link despite knowing the risks. Awareness and training are required to such fellows who risk a lot without knowing the outcomes of the threats while at home(Taddeo & Floridi, 2018).
Cyber Security Challenges
There are different forms of cyber-crimes that include; destruction of information, theft, blackmail, extortion, manipulation, and services denial. The threats are mostly as a result of tools like malware viruses, ransomware, ATM skimmers, and spyware. Below are some of the challenges of cybersecurity some are computer-related while others are a result of human ignorance and lack of resources (Holt et al., 2017).
Ransomware
This is the worst compared to other virus spread threats as it is a malware used to force a customer or a business organization to pay a ransom for the criminal to let go of any vital information. It is reported that the number of the attack is still increasing ranging now at about 37 percent. They tend to ask for more pay since they have all the leverage (Holt et al., 2017).
The Internet of Things (Iot) Threat
This is involved with many devices that are currently in the market and devices found at their homes. The percentage of people with such devices that allow internet connection is also rising at a faster rate. Due to this high connectivity, it makes ever individually vulnerable to cyber-attacks. End users who lack the knowledge of cyber-attacks they end up being victims and it ends badly for them probably (Abomhara, 2015, p.81).
Data Manipulation
In this, the information is not stolen or destroyed but instead, it is modified in a more different way making it difficult to detect unlike with the case of data destruction. A minor alteration may have a much bigger impact on the system functioning or the whole grid (Leon, 2015).
Identity Theft
It focuses on the funds which are stolen using a fake identity or rather a fraud. Most individuals are less likely to suspect such a crime can happen on their watch they believe it when it’s already too late when the crime has taken place. It is not different from spyware which also involves stealing of data and monitoring people for cybercrimes. Also Social engineering is done by blackmailing individuals in gaining access to their data or devices.
Lack of Leadership
As far as cybersecurity is concerned it can never be fruitful unless the leadership of the organization is steady and supportive. Trust is all that is required in an organization without that then people can find themselves giving out confidential information without knowing. Also, they need to work closely with different sectors; through collaboration, they can be rest assured that they can survive any harm on the way (Brown, et al., 2015, p.46). Issues concerning cybersecurity need to be taken more seriously by the leader to protect the well-being of the organization. Most are vulnerable to attack due to lack of leadership and collaboration (Guptaet al., 2016).
Training and Creating Awareness
This is typically for those who still have less knowledge of how to handle detected threat. Through training and creating awareness on the impacts of cyber-crimes more are enlightened on the need to be prepared. The education sector has fewer people who learn Information technology and this makes it difficult to fight cyber-crime (Guptaet al., 2016).
Methods
Questionnaires were used in collecting on information from individuals at home to people in the business organization where the paper mainly entails the big question of the number of occasions the cybersecurity has had encountered any threat and the type of threat that was imminent. The data was collected randomly in various premises to just give an insight into the results(Gordon, 2018).
Results
Cyber-crimes have evolved with time and so are the many forms of cyber-crimes. The worst of all was ransomware which involved of holding of information than the cyber-criminal requests a specific amount of money that is mostly high. Other crimes like identity theft are hard to detect and are realized once they have occurred. It’s clear that there are fewer people who work with a computer system but yet have a little knowledge of operating them or minimizing small threats that are initiated by amateur hackers who hack for fun. Usernames and passwords are mostly hacked due to the fact that most people use the same username and password in many of their accounts. Data such as date of birth, phone numbers, identification number, and address can be used by perpetrators. The cybersecurity threats are increasing day in day out, hence there is every reason as to why various business organizations plan and prepare (Holt et al., 2017).
Discussion
Protection of confidential information by companies must be up to date, with the advancement of technology in this connected world. This research will help individuals and many organizations to thrive a lot in ensuring that the threat is minimized through collaborating, good leadership, use of malware scanners, firewalls, Antivirus software like Kaspersky and other cybersecurity techniques(Brown, et al., 2015, p.46). This paper has given investors a clear picture that cybercrime has no perfect solution this makes them to always have a contingency plan. Apart from causing damages and loss of vital information cybercrime also lead to loss of life hence it is something that should be always discouraged and those found need to answer to their crimes effectively(Buchwald & Newell, 2019, p.215). The youths are therefore encouraged to find more legal ways of attaining either money or any material without using the computers (Guptaet al., 2016).
Limitation
The main limitation of the research is that today most devices have turned out to be vulnerable, hence require monitoring which at times is expensive. Every day the manufacturers strive to be at least one step ahead of the hackers to ensure the safety of their products since each day new devices are built (Doctoral dissertation, Utica College). This becomes a challenge to those who are not up to date since the technology today is moving fast and it requires them to sell capable products to their clients. Sadly some of the challenges show no signs of retaliation, for example, hacking and ransomware hence each year there is a need for a more advanced defensive machine. AL too is used by the cybercriminals in conducting their harmful acts; hence there is the need for one to be more cautious (Yar & Steinmentz, 2019).
Conclusion
Cybersecurity has at least helped individuals and businesses organization secure their vital data from unauthorized people who take advantage of it. Soon with the advancement of technology more of it will be required as it is becoming significant given that the world is interconnecting rapidly (Gordon, 2018). The crimes continue to be a major threat and so is the security that comes with every change. It is clear from the discussion that there is no perfect solution for some of the challenges facing cybersecurity. Instead, organizations spend a lot to minimize those threats in the best way possible for a safe world and future (Baig et al., 2017, p. 11).
Recommendations
The government should increase the computer-related course and encourage more people on the need of being computer literate in fighting cyber-crime. The youths also need to be told on the impact of such crimes and how some even lead to loss of life (Leon, 2015). People are required to plan and prepare themselves same applies to the various organizations since cybercrime is still there and it is advancing with the advance in technology. Deployment of quick detectors of any intrusion for quick data recovery, the corrupted data need to be dealt with immediately before it is lost or destroyed. As mention earlier, is that collaboration with other individual and sharing of breach results helps a lot in the prevention of cyber-crimes (Guptaet al., 2016).
Reference
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