Questions and Answers
A vulnerability is a strength in the system that protects it from harm.
False
An advanced persistent threat (APT) often involves a state-sponsored group gaining unauthorized access to a network.
True
Insider threats arise from individuals who have unauthorized access to sensitive information.
False
Data disclosure threats can occur due to human error when sensitive information is improperly shared.
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An alteration threat focuses on making authorized changes to information or systems.
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Sabotage threats can include damaging an organization's physical infrastructure.
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Threats to a computing system can only come from external sources.
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The harm caused by a realized threat is considered a negative consequence.
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An attacker needs only method to ensure the success of an attack.
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Confidentiality in a system means that all users can access any data.
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Integrity ensures that an asset can only be modified by authorized parties.
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Availability refers to the ability of a system to prevent unauthorized modification of data.
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Controls are measures taken to protect against vulnerabilities in a system.
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Detecting an attack means recognizing it as it happens or after the fact.
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Physical controls are intangible measures used to block an attack.
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Making another target more attractive is considered a way to deter an attack.
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An attacker requires method, opportunity, and motive to successfully execute an attack.
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Confidentiality ensures that protected data is accessible to anyone with a computer.
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Integrity allows data to be modified by anyone without restriction.
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Availability guarantees that an asset can be accessed by any authorized party when needed.
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Controls or countermeasures are interventions designed to exploit vulnerabilities in a system.
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Mitigation refers to making an attack's impact less severe after it occurs.
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Deflecting an attack involves making it harder for the attacker to succeed.
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Physical controls are interventions that utilize tangible measures to block an attack.
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Determent involves taking measures to completely prevent an attack from occurring.
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Detecting an attack means recognizing it beforehand so that harm can be prevented.
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A vulnerability is a strength in the system that may prevent loss or harm.
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An insider is someone who has unauthorized access to an organization's resources.
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Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are often conducted by state-sponsored groups.
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A data disclosure threat specifically involves trying to gain unauthorized access to information.
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An alteration threat aims to make malicious changes to information or systems.
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Sabotage threats can only pertain to digital environments and not physical infrastructure.
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Threats to a computing system can originate from both insiders and external sources.
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An attacker requires only a single method for a successful attack.
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Integrity ensures that only unauthorized parties can modify assets.
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Study Notes
Introduction to Computer Security
- Computer security involves protecting all computer assets including hardware, software, and data.
- Assets are categorized as items of value that require security measures.
Key Concepts
- Vulnerabilities: Weaknesses in a system that can be exploited, often found in procedures, design, or implementation.
- Threats: Circumstances that have the potential to cause loss or harm to a computing system.
Types of Threats
- Insider Threats: Individuals with authorized access who may exploit their knowledge to harm the organization.
- Advanced Persistent Threat (APT): Stealthy, often state-sponsored groups that gain unauthorized access for prolonged periods.
- Data Disclosure Threat: Unauthorized release of sensitive information, often due to human error.
- Alteration Threat: Focus on unauthorized changes to information or systems.
- Sabotage Threat: Actions that deliberately harm an organization’s infrastructure.
Harmful Consequences
- The realization of a threat results in harm to the assets within a system.
- Attackers exploit vulnerabilities using methods, opportunities, and motives to succeed.
Security Goals
- Confidentiality: Ensures assets are accessible only to authorized individuals.
- Integrity: Ensures modifications to assets are made only by authorized users.
- Availability: Ensures that assets are accessible to authorized users when needed.
Importance of Security Goals
- Protects against unauthorized viewing (confidentiality) and modification (integrity) while ensuring access (availability).
Controls (Countermeasures)
- Controls prevent threats from exploiting vulnerabilities with strategies including:
- Prevention: Blocking attacks or closing vulnerabilities.
- Deterrence: Making attacks harder but not impossible.
- Deflection: Attracting attackers to alternative targets.
- Mitigation: Reducing the severity of an impact.
- Detection: Identifying attacks in real-time or post-event.
- Recovery: Restoring systems after an attack.
Types of Controls
- Physical Controls: Tangible measures that block or stop attacks.
- Controls are integral to safeguarding computer systems and their information.
Introduction to Computer Security
- Computer security involves protecting all computer assets including hardware, software, and data.
- Assets are categorized as items of value that require security measures.
Key Concepts
- Vulnerabilities: Weaknesses in a system that can be exploited, often found in procedures, design, or implementation.
- Threats: Circumstances that have the potential to cause loss or harm to a computing system.
Types of Threats
- Insider Threats: Individuals with authorized access who may exploit their knowledge to harm the organization.
- Advanced Persistent Threat (APT): Stealthy, often state-sponsored groups that gain unauthorized access for prolonged periods.
- Data Disclosure Threat: Unauthorized release of sensitive information, often due to human error.
- Alteration Threat: Focus on unauthorized changes to information or systems.
- Sabotage Threat: Actions that deliberately harm an organization’s infrastructure.
Harmful Consequences
- The realization of a threat results in harm to the assets within a system.
- Attackers exploit vulnerabilities using methods, opportunities, and motives to succeed.
Security Goals
- Confidentiality: Ensures assets are accessible only to authorized individuals.
- Integrity: Ensures modifications to assets are made only by authorized users.
- Availability: Ensures that assets are accessible to authorized users when needed.
Importance of Security Goals
- Protects against unauthorized viewing (confidentiality) and modification (integrity) while ensuring access (availability).
Controls (Countermeasures)
- Controls prevent threats from exploiting vulnerabilities with strategies including:
- Prevention: Blocking attacks or closing vulnerabilities.
- Deterrence: Making attacks harder but not impossible.
- Deflection: Attracting attackers to alternative targets.
- Mitigation: Reducing the severity of an impact.
- Detection: Identifying attacks in real-time or post-event.
- Recovery: Restoring systems after an attack.
Types of Controls
- Physical Controls: Tangible measures that block or stop attacks.
- Controls are integral to safeguarding computer systems and their information.
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Description
Explore the foundational concepts of computer security, including its definition, vulnerabilities, and the various threats and attacks that can harm systems. This quiz will help you understand the importance of protecting computer assets and the controls needed for effective security.
