IT Security Threats and Vulnerabilities

Threats and Vulnerabilities

• Threats: Potential events or circumstances that could compromise IT security, such as:
  • Unauthorized access or use of systems, data, or networks
  • Malicious code or software (e.g., viruses, worms, Trojan horses)
  • Hardware or software failures
  • Natural disasters or environmental hazards
• Vulnerabilities: Weaknesses or flaws in systems, networks, or applications that can be exploited by threats, such as:
  • Unpatched software or operating systems
  • Weak passwords or authentication mechanisms
  • Unsecured network protocols or services
  • Inadequate access controls or permissions

Security Principles

• Confidentiality: Protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access or disclosure
• Integrity: Ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of data and systems
• Availability: Ensuring that systems, data, and networks are accessible and usable when needed
• Authentication: Verifying the identity of users, devices, or systems
• Authorization: Controlling access to resources based on user identity, role, or permissions
• Accountability: Tracking and monitoring user actions and system events

Security Controls

• Preventive controls: Designed to prevent security breaches, such as:
  • Firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems
  • Encryption and access controls
  • Secure coding practices and code reviews
• ** Detective controls**: Designed to detect security breaches, such as:
  • Log monitoring and analysis
  • Intrusion detection systems
  • Security information and event management (SIEM) systems
• Corrective controls: Designed to respond to security breaches, such as:
  • Incident response plans and procedures
  • Backup and recovery processes
  • Disaster recovery and business continuity planning

Security Models

• Network Security Model: Focuses on securing network infrastructure and communication protocols
• Host Security Model: Focuses on securing individual hosts or devices
• Application Security Model: Focuses on securing applications and data
• Data Security Model: Focuses on securing data at rest, in transit, and in use

Security Standards and Frameworks

• ISO 27001: A widely adopted international standard for information security management systems
• NIST Cybersecurity Framework: A framework for managing and reducing cybersecurity risk
• COBIT: A framework for IT governance and management
• HIPAA: A US healthcare-focused regulation for protecting sensitive patient information

Threats and Vulnerabilities

• Threats are potential events or circumstances that could compromise IT security, including unauthorized access, malicious code, hardware/software failures, and natural disasters.
• Vulnerabilities are weaknesses or flaws in systems, networks, or applications that can be exploited by threats, including unpatched software, weak passwords, unsecured network protocols, and inadequate access controls.

Security Principles

• Confidentiality ensures sensitive information is protected from unauthorized access or disclosure.
• Integrity ensures the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of data and systems.
• Availability ensures systems, data, and networks are accessible and usable when needed.
• Authentication verifies the identity of users, devices, or systems.
• Authorization controls access to resources based on user identity, role, or permissions.
• Accountability tracks and monitors user actions and system events.

Security Controls

• Preventive controls prevent security breaches, including firewalls, encryption, access controls, and secure coding practices.
• Detective controls detect security breaches, including log monitoring, intrusion detection systems, and SIEM systems.
• Corrective controls respond to security breaches, including incident response plans, backup and recovery processes, and disaster recovery planning.

Security Models

• Network Security Model focuses on securing network infrastructure and communication protocols.
• Host Security Model focuses on securing individual hosts or devices.
• Application Security Model focuses on securing applications and data.
• Data Security Model focuses on securing data at rest, in transit, and in use.

Security Standards and Frameworks

• ISO 27001 is an international standard for information security management systems.
• NIST Cybersecurity Framework manages and reduces cybersecurity risk.
• COBIT is a framework for IT governance and management.
• HIPAA is a US healthcare-focused regulation for protecting sensitive patient information.

Threats to IT Security

• Human threats include insider threats, social engineering, and phishing attacks
• Natural threats include natural disasters and power outages that can compromise IT security
• Environmental threats include hardware failures and software bugs that can lead to security breaches

IT Security Principles

Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA Triad)

• Confidentiality ensures sensitive information is protected from unauthorized access
• Integrity ensures data accuracy and completeness
• Availability ensures timely and reliable access to data and systems

Authentication and Authorization

• Authentication verifies user identity
• Authorization controls access to resources based on user identity

Accountability

• Accountability involves tracking and monitoring user activities

IT Security Measures

Network Security

• Firewalls control incoming and outgoing network traffic
• Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) detect and block malicious traffic

Data Protection

• Encryption protects data in transit and at rest

Access Control

• Access control manages user access to resources

Business Continuity

• Backup and Recovery ensures business continuity in case of data loss or system failure

Vulnerability Management

• Patching and updates keep software up-to-date to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities

IT Security Best Practices

User Security

• Strong, unique passwords and password managers are essential for password management
• User education informs users on IT security best practices and threats

Network Security

• Network segmentation divides networks into smaller, isolated segments to limit attack scope

Incident Response

• Having a plan in place to respond to security incidents is crucial

IT Security Frameworks and Standards

Cybersecurity Frameworks

• NIST Cybersecurity Framework manages and reduces cybersecurity risk
• ISO 27001 implements an Information Security Management System (ISMS)

Industry-Specific Standards

• HIPAA protects sensitive health information
• PCI-DSS protects payment card information