Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computers, networks and digital data from unauthorized access and attacks. As our world becomes more connected, cybersecurity is essential for both businesses and individuals to keep sensitive information safe.

Think of cybersecurity as a digital security system; it locks the doors, monitors activity and alerts you when something suspicious happens.

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What is cybersecurity?

​​Cybersecurity definition: ​​Cybersecurity is the​​ act of protecting sensitive data, such as personal or financial information on the internet from threats like cyber-attacks.​​​

​​​Cybersecurity refers to the technologies, processes and practices designed to protect digital information and systems from cyber threats such as malware, phishing and data breaches.​​

Common cyberattacks can include:

• Malware: Malware is software designed to harm, exploit or take control of devices. It includes viruses, worms and trojans that can disrupt operations, damage systems or steal data. ​Think of malware as a digital parasite — it sneaks in, causes harm and often spreads to other systems if not contained.​
• Phishing: Phishing is a type of scam where attackers pose as trusted ​​​sources, ​like a bank or coworker​, ​to trick you into revealing sensitive information. These messages often look legitimate but are designed to steal passwords, credit card numbers or other personal data. ​It’s like a digital impersonator trying to fool you into opening the wrong door.​
• Ransomware​:​ Ransomware is a type of malware that locks you out of your files or systems and demands payment to restore access. It’s like a digital hostage situation — your data is held until you pay the ransom, often with no guarantee of recovery.
• Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks (also called on-path attacks):​ In a MitM attack, a hacker secretly intercepts communication between two parties — like eavesdropping on a private conversation. The attacker can steal, alter or monitor data without either side knowing.
• Distributed denial of service (DDoS)​:​ A DDoS attack floods a website or network with so much traffic that it slows down or crashes entirely.​ Imagine a crowd blocking the entrance to a store so no real customers can get in — that’s what a DDoS does to digital services.​
• Insider threats​:​ Insider threats come from people within an organization​ ​who accidentally or intentionally cause harm. These threats can be as simple as clicking a malicious link or as serious as stealing confidential data.

As digital infrastructure grows, cybersecurity plays a critical role in safeguarding personal and organizational data from compromise.

How does cybersecurity work?

Cybersecurity works by identifying vulnerabilities and applying protective measures across multiple layers of digital infrastructure:

There are many different safety and security measures that are included in cybersecurity, depending on the type of threat as well as the type of devices being protected.

Application security

​​Application security protects software from unauthorized access and misuse. It includes tools like firewalls (which act like digital gatekeepers), multi-factor authentication (adding extra locks to the door) and sandboxing (isolating apps to prevent malware from spreading).​​​

​​​​These measures help ensure that only trusted users and actions can interact with critical applications.​

Data security

Data security focuses on keeping information safe whether it’s being stored or transmitted. Encryption scrambles data so only authorized users can read it — like adding an unbreakable lock to your digital vault. Data loss prevention tools monitor for leaks, and secure storage protects both ​​data in motion (as it travels) and ​​data at rest (when saved).

Network security

Network security protects the pathways that connect devices and systems. VPNs (virtual private networks) mask your IP address, disguising your online location. Segmentation divides networks into smaller zones to contain threats, and firewalls monitor traffic to block anything suspicious — like security checkpoints at each entry.

Human factors

People play a critical role in cybersecurity. Training and awareness programs help users recognize phishing attempts, avoid risky behavior and follow best practices. Just as safety drills prepare people for emergencies, cybersecurity education prepares users to spot and respond to digital threats.

Emerging technologies like AI are increasingly used to automate threat detection and response, enabling faster and more accurate protection across systems. These tools complement traditional cybersecurity layers by identifying patterns and anomalies in real time. Think of cybersecurity as a multi-layer defense system, each part plays a role in keeping your digital environment secure.

What is the history of cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity has evolved in response to increasingly sophisticated threats:

• 1988, Morris worm: The Morris worm was one of the first computer worms, exploiting Unix vulnerabilities and causing widespread disruption. Its impact drove early security awareness and legal action under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of1986.
• 1990s​,​ ​r​ise of antivirus software: Building on lessons from the Morris worm, tools like Norton and McAfee emerged to detect and remove malware, marking the start of consumer-focused cybersecurity solutions.
• 2000s​,​ ​e​xpansion to financial systems: Credit card fraud and online transactions prompted stronger authentication and encryption.
• 2010s​,​ ​c​ybersecurity frameworks: Governments and organizations adopted structured approaches to risk management, including zero-trust models and national strategies.
• 2020s, ​intelligent​ and resilient security: The rise of AI-driven tools, secure-by-design hardware and early development of quantum-resistant encryption mark a shift toward proactive, adaptive cybersecurity strategies. As quantum computing advances, new encryption methods are being explored to ensure long-term data protection.

What are the key types of cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity covers many areas, each designed to protect different parts of our digital world. 

AI cybersecurity

Hackers are able to manipulate artificial intelligence apps and their outputs, resulting in the potential sharing of sensitive information, as well as dangerous misinformation. There are equally AI enabled cybersecurity tools that are able to combat these threats.

They work by automating repetitive security tasks such as scanning potential threats, rather than having to do this manually. With the increasing deployment of AI powered cybersecurity tools, there has been an increase in cyber threat prevention that has saved an average of USD 2.22 million over those organizations that didn’t deploy these technologies, according to the ​Cost of a Data Breach 2024 Report.

Network cybersecurity

Network ​cy​bersecurity protects infrastructure by controlling access to servers, data, and devices. It includes firewalls, VPNs, and segmentation to isolate threats and ensure secure communication.

Cloud cybersecurity

​​Cloud security safeguards data stored on remote servers. Cloud providers use encryption, access controls and monitoring to keep information safe and meet compliance standards.

Mobile cybersecurity

Mobile cybersecurity protects data on smartphones, tablets and IoT devices. Tools like unified endpoint management (UEM) help organizations manage and secure mobile devices from one central dashboard.

Secure-by-design cybersecurity

​​Secure-by-design means building security into products from the start rather than adding it later. This includes hardware-level protection and secure firmware. Micron applies this approach to its memory and storage solutions to help reduce vulnerabilities and meet compliance requirements.​​​

Cybersecurity for edge computing and IoT

Edge and IoT devices operate outside traditional data centers, often in less controlled environments. Cybersecurity here focuses on securing data at the device level, encrypting communication and managing device identities. Micron’s secure memory technologies support protection for industrial, automotive and smart infrastructure applications.

How is cybersecurity used?

Cybersecurity plays a vital role in protecting sensitive data and digital systems in both everyday life and across industries. It helps prevent identity theft, fraud and data breaches by securing financial transactions, personal information and online activity.

Common cases include:

• Protecting data​​​:​ Antivirus and AI tools detect and block threats targeting personal and business information.
• Preventing fraud​:​ Machine learning analyzes transaction patterns to flag suspicious activity.
• Securing Identity​:​​ ​Biometrics and two-factor authentication verify users and prevent unauthorized access.

Whether you're shopping online or running a business, cybersecurity helps keep your digital life safe.