Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyberattacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from users through ransomware; or interrupting normal business processes.

Implementing effective cybersecurity measures is particularly  challenging today because there are more devices than people, and  attackers are becoming more innovative.

A successful cybersecurity posture has multiple layers of protection  spread across the computers, networks, programs, or data that one  intends to keep safe. In an organization, a unified threat management  gateway system can automate integrations across products and accelerate  key security operations functions: detection, investigation, and  remediation. People, processes, and technology must all complement one  another to create an effective defense from cyberattacks.

People

Users must understand and comply with basic data protection and  privacy security principles like choosing strong passwords, being wary  of attachments in email, and backing up data. Learn more about basic  cybersecurity principles from these Top 10 Cyber Tips (PDF).

Processes

Organizations must have a framework for how they deal with both  attempted and successful cyberattacks. One well-respected model, the NIST cybersecurity framework,  can guide you. It explains how you can identify attacks, protect  systems, detect and respond to threats, and recover from successful  attacks.

Technology

Technology is essential to giving organizations and individuals the  computer security tools needed to protect themselves from cyberattacks.  Three main entities must be protected: endpoint devices like computers,  smart devices, and routers; networks; and the cloud. Common technology  used to protect these entities include next-generation firewalls, Domain Name System (DNS) filtering, malware protection, antivirus software, and email security solutions.