Day 1 of My Cybersecurity Journey: Understanding General Security Concepts
Welcome to the first day of my cybersecurity journey! Today, I delved into the fundamental concepts that form the backbone of cybersecurity, exploring what it means to protect systems, networks, and data from digital attacks. Let me take you through what I've learned.
What is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is all about safeguarding information and systems from cyber threats. It involves implementing technologies, processes, and controls to protect data from unauthorized access, damage, or theft.
Key Objectives of Cybersecurity: The CIA Triad
1. Confidentiality
Definition: Ensures that information is accessible only to those authorized to access it.
Implementation:
Encryption: Converts data into a secure format.
Access Controls: Restricts who can view or use the data.
Data Masking: Hides original data with modified content.
How Attackers Compromise Confidentiality:
Phishing Attacks: Trick users into revealing sensitive information.
Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: Intercept and alter communications.
Insider Threats: Employees misuse their access.
Defensive Measures:
Educate users about security practices.
Implement strong access controls.
Encrypt sensitive data.
2. Integrity
Definition: Ensures the accuracy and reliability of data by protecting it from unauthorized changes.
Implementation:
Checksums and Hashing: Validate data integrity.
Digital Signatures: Authenticate the origin of data.
Version Control: Track changes to data.
How Attackers Compromise Integrity:
Data Breaches: Unauthorized access to data.
Malware: Alters or corrupts data.
SQL Injection: Injects malicious code to manipulate data.
Defensive Measures:
Conduct regular audits.
Implement Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS).
Use anti-malware tools.
3. Availability
Definition: Ensures that information and resources are accessible to those who need them when they need them.
Implementation:
Redundancy: Duplication of critical components.
Load Balancing: Distributes workloads across multiple resources.
Disaster Recovery Plans: Procedures for recovery from disasters.
How Attackers Compromise Availability:
Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks: Overwhelm systems with traffic.
Ransomware: Blocks access to data until a ransom is paid.
Physical Attacks: Damage or disrupt hardware.
Defensive Measures:
Implement redundancy.
Monitor systems regularly.
Develop and test disaster recovery plans.
Summary of the CIA Triad:
Confidentiality: Protects sensitive information from unauthorized access.
Integrity: Ensures data remains accurate and reliable.
Availability: Ensures information and resources are accessible when needed.
Non-Repudiation in Cybersecurity
Non-Repudiation ensures that a party in a communication or transaction cannot deny the authenticity of their signature or message. It provides proof of the integrity and origin of data, ensuring that a transaction has occurred and identifying the participants.
Components of Non-Repudiation
Authentication: Verifies the identity of the parties involved.
Integrity: Ensures data has not been altered during transmission.
Proof of Origin: Confirms the source of the message or transaction.
Proof of Delivery: Confirms that the intended recipient has received the message or transaction.
Implementation Methods
Digital Signatures: Verify the authenticity of digital messages or documents.
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI): Manages digital certificates and public-key encryption.
Time Stamping: Records the time a document was signed.
Audit Logs: Track and record system activities.
Defensive Measures
Implement strong cryptographic methods.
Use trusted certificate authorities.
Secure key management.
Maintain detailed and secure audit logs.
Employ time stamping services.
Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) in Cybersecurity
1. Authentication
Definition: Verifies the identity of a user or system.
Methods:
Passwords: Traditional method of authentication.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Combines two or more verification methods.
Biometrics: Uses unique physical characteristics.
Smart Cards: Physical tokens for authentication.
How Attackers Compromise Authentication:
Phishing: Deceiving users to reveal credentials.
Brute Force: Trying multiple passwords until the correct one is found.
Man-in-the-Middle (MitM): Intercepting communications to steal credentials.
Defensive Measures:
Educate users about security practices.
Implement MFA.
Use encrypted protocols for communication.
2. Authorization
Definition: Determines what resources a user can access.
Models:
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Access based on user roles.
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC): Access based on attributes (e.g., department, job title).
Discretionary Access Control (DAC): Access granted at the discretion of the data owner.
Mandatory Access Control (MAC): Access based on strict policies.
How Attackers Compromise Authorization:
Privilege Escalation: Gaining higher access levels than authorized.
Access Control Misconfigurations: Errors in setting access permissions.
Defensive Measures:
Apply the principle of least privilege.
Conduct regular access control audits.
3. Accounting
Definition: Tracks and records user activities.
Methods:
Logs: Record events and actions.
Monitoring Tools: Track and analyze system activities.
Reports: Summarize user activities and system status.
How Attackers Compromise Accounting:
Log Tampering: Altering log records.
Log Overload: Flooding logs to hide malicious activities.
Defensive Measures:
Implement secure logging practices.
Use log management solutions.
Summary of AAA:
Authentication: Verifies identity.
Authorization: Determines access permissions.
Accounting: Tracks and records activities.
Gap Analysis and Zero Trust in Cybersecurity
Gap Analysis
Gap analysis compares the current state of an organization's cybersecurity posture with its desired state, identifying discrepancies and developing strategies to address them.
Components
Current State Assessment: Evaluate existing security measures.
Desired State Definition: Define the ideal cybersecurity posture.
Gap Identification: Identify differences between current and desired states.
Action Plan Development: Create a plan to address gaps.
Process
Collect Data: Gather information on current practices.
Analyze Data: Compare current practices against standards.
Identify Gaps: Highlight deficiencies.
Develop Recommendations: Propose actions to bridge gaps.
Implement and Monitor: Execute and monitor the action plan.
Zero Trust
Zero Trust assumes no entity should be trusted by default and requires strict verification for every user and device trying to access resources.
Zero Trust Architecture
Control Plane: Manages policies and adapts access based on context.
Data Plane: Enforces policies and verifies identities.
Summary:
Gap Analysis: Identifies and addresses discrepancies in cybersecurity posture.
Zero Trust: Assumes no default trust; requires verification for all access requests.
Physical Security Measures in Cybersecurity
Physical security is essential to protect facilities and assets from unauthorized access and threats. Here are some common measures:
Bollards: Restrict vehicle access and protect against ramming attacks.
Access Control Vestibule: Enhances security with a double-door system.
Fencing: Establishes perimeter security.
Video Surveillance: Monitors and records activities.
Security Guards: Provides physical presence for monitoring.
Access Badges: Controls access to secure areas electronically.
Lighting: Enhances visibility and deters unauthorized activities.
Sensors:
Proximity Sensors: Detect movement near a protected area.
Pressure Sensors: Detect pressure changes on surfaces.
Summary:
Physical security measures protect facilities and assets from unauthorized access and threats. Common measures include bollards, access control vestibules, fencing, video surveillance, security guards, access badges, lighting, and various sensors (proximity and pressure).