What Is Digital Security?

Overview of Digital Security

With the advancement of technology, cybercrime has also increased. The management of different organizations is struggling to protect their confidential data against hackers. Hackers, who are enriched with the latest knowledge of technology, try their level best to steal confidential data from organizations.

Specialists use a  variety of resources to protect data, online identity, and other assets. Digital security is a collective term used to describe such resources and CEH tools. Tools like smartphone sim cards, antivirus software, biometrics, and secured personal devices are a few classic examples of digital security.

Importance Of Digital Security

Smaller businesses and innovative startups are more frequently targeted by hackers. However, even the leading brands have been victims of cybercrime. Digital security protects these brands from the clutches of cybercrime. Cybersecurity may also be described as the precautionary protection of online identity.

Digital security is important for the following reasons-

• It is better not to wire money to strangers. Otherwise, it could turn into a scam. Use encrypted, secure, and legitimate methods of payment, like PayPal. This step ensures that the banking and other confidential information does not fall into the hands of hackers
• Digital security allows people to use online banking and social media safely. It protects online banking and social media from identity theft and fraud
• Digital security teaches people not to click on unsolicited or unknown links.
• It helps people to observe the signs of fraudulent scams.

3 Pillars Of Data Security

• Confidentiality- It is the need of the hour to keep thingsnprivate. The availability of data should be limited to a fixed number of peoplenor certain organizations.

• Integrity-  The employees need to ensure that the data has not been corrupted ornmodified. It is also necessary to be sure about the source.

• Availability- Digital security needs to work so that the transactions and interaction can run on time.

20 Simple Tips To Ensure Digital Security

Digital security is all about having faith in the interchange of data between the user and a network.

The internet has become a part of our daily lives. Nowadays, conscious netizens take out a lot of time from their busy schedule to think about how to keep their data digitally secure.

A few steps to ensure digital security are as follows-

1. Using Different Passwords- There should be a unique password on each of the devices. Only the owner should have access to them.
   • Each of the devices contains a lot of confidential information. If multiple users use a particular device, there are chances of the confidential data falling into wrong hands.
   • People find it easier to put a single password for all the apps because they find it easier to remember.
   • The best practice is to keep a different password for each of the sites and every account. Then, if a computer gets hacked by chance, the stolen credentials will not work on the other sites.
2. Using Trustworthy Antivirus- A trustworthy antivirus software is an important part of digital security. Such antivirus software protects the devices against malware and fights off harmful viruses.
   • In this context, people need to be conscious of what they are downloading, It is better to be safe than be sorry.
   • Hackers depend a lot on downloading to gain access to the network. So, the users need to be cautious of anything they are downloading. Downloading any unnecessary browser extensions or unnecessary software should be avoided.
3. Using Trustworthy Ad Blocker- It is better not to open any unknown emails or click on any unknown links. Such emails from unknown sources need to be deleted immediately. After that, people should install trustworthy adblocking software to prevent them from reappearing.
4. Creating Long Passwords- It is not a good practice to use passwords that may be guessed easily.
   • Many people use obvious passwords like birthdays or some part of their phone numbers. However, it is better to use random numbers and use six-digit passwords.
   • The longer, the better.  Several people complain that it becomes difficult to remember such long and randomly chosen passwords. The consolation is that it is confusing for hackers to guess such passwords.
5. Avoid Pop-Ups And Phishing- It is a good idea not to send any sensitive information via email, without being sure of the recipients.
   • It is also a good idea not to click on any link without being sure that it is legitimate.
   • It is better to avoid pop-ups and phishing. People need to decline any extensions or add-ons that pop up during automatic installations.
6. Turn Off Auto-Fill- The option of auto-filling entails filling up the forms with financial and personal information. That may get risky if the data falls into the wrong hands. So, it is best practice to turn off the option of auto-fill on the smartphone.
7. Set Up Two-Factor Authentication- It is important to set up two-factor authentication to prevent hacking. Since the code gets triggered through text or phone calls, two-factor authentication makes hacking easier. It is a good option for avoiding hackers.
8. Perform All The Software Updates- Brands like Google or Apple are trying to improve the security of the smartphone. So, it is incredibly easy to perform the latest updates.
   • The latest updates are necessary for keeping in touch with the latest security software.
   • It is a good idea to do all the software updates at night. So, the work will never be hampered during the daytime.
   • The latest updates ensure that the system makes the latest security patches available.
9. Avoid Using Unsecured Wi-fi Networks in Public Places- Unsecure networks leave the system vulnerable to different types of attacks. Organizations that are aware of the importance of digital security are strictly against using unsecured wi-fi networks in public places.
10. Adjust login settings- There should at least be one user account in addition to the default administrative setting.
    • It is a good idea to establish multiple user accounts on the computer. However, the second account should not have any additional privileges.
    • It should only be used for daily work. As a result, if any malware tries to install itself automatically, the computer will send out an alert.
    • The alert will come in the form of a message needing the administrative password.
11. Avoid Using Debit Cards For Online Payments- Making online payments is the trend, in the 21st century.
    • During online payments, It is better to avoid any mode of payment that is directly linked to the bank account.
    • On the other hand, it is better to use options that provide an additional layer of protection between hackers and bank accounts.
    • An online mode of payment like PayPal is a good option.
12. Do Not Save Future Information- Several websites allow the customers to save credit card information to simplify future buying. Security incidents are becoming increasingly common nowadays. To avoid any risks, it is better not to save such information.
13. Use Password Manager- A password manager may be described as a tool that keeps all the passwords in place.
    • The user has one “master key” password to unlock access to all the passwords. A password manager protects the user from the trouble of remembering all the passwords individually.
    • Many people write down the passwords. Even that is a risky option. So, using a password manager is a healthier option.
14. Be Careful Of Links- Hackers often send links to different users via emails to gather their important information.
    • The moment the users click on one such link,  they are taken to a fake site. It bears an uncanny resemblance to the original site. The site asks the users to put in their login information.
    • As soon as the users put in their login details, the hackers have access to the users’ confidential information. So, people need to be careful of links.
    • They should never click on any link sent from an unknown source. Also, it is better to visit the provider's site directly, instead of clicking on links. They should never click on any link that looks suspicious.
15. Be Alert On Social Media- It is important to be careful before sharing anything online.
    • Hackers and other cybercriminals may acquire a lot of information about the user, by observing their public profile.
    • It is a good idea not to share any personal information online.
16. It Pays To Be Over-Suspicious-It is healthy to be a little paranoid over email, unknown links, and social media.
    • A course in cybersecurity is also helpful. People need to be wary of any links on twitch they are clicking, and any site they are visiting.
    • It is better to choose the option of custom install if a download is considered safe. 
    • The employees should need authorization before downloading anything within the premises of the organization.
17. Only Allow Company Emails From The Official Server- Only email addresses from the official server should be allowed to send emails to the domain.
    • As a result, any email that doesn’t come from the authoritative server gets blocked. It is one of the best ways to protect against phishing emails.
    • The attackers will not be able to spoof which servers their emails are coming from.
18. Implement A Quality Spam Filter- A quality spam filter will check the messages for features that are consistent with spam. It will also check the reputation of the sender before allowing the messages to pass through.
19. Block Certain Countries From Sending You Emails- It is a good idea to install a spam filter that lets the user block receiving emails from certain other countries.
    • It is common knowledge that the majority of phishing emails are triggered from a few other countries.
    • The phishers cannot block or change a part of their IP address that reveals their origin.
20. Avoid Using Unsecured Wi-fi Networks in Public Places- Unsecure networks leave the system vulnerable to different types of attacks. Organizations that are aware of the importance of digital security are strictly against using unsecured wi-fi networks in public places. Only using reliable VPN services such as NordVPN or Surfshark VPN can ensure your online safety while using public WiFi.

How To Enforce Digital Security?

Digital security is the need of the hour. Hence, let us discuss a few tips to enforce digital security. They are as follows-

1. Conduct Frequent Security Training- New threats to digital security are emerging every day.
   • Regular security training on an enterprise level is a must to combat these new threats to digital security.
   • Such security training at regular intervals prevents the security loopholes from getting exposed.
   • Otherwise, the security loopholes permit malicious activities to penetrate the enterprise.
2. Welcome Cybersecurity Experts- Professional cybersecurity awareness and training experts need to be onboarded. They may engage employees. These experts also make sure that all the employees know the basics of digital security.
3. Communicate Clearly, Yet Concisely- It is a good idea to avoid long emails and memos.
   • Generally, employees skim through the first few lines before deleting the entire email.
   • Nobody even bothers to go through lengthy emails. It is better to substitute lengthy emails with videos.
   • Alternatively, some infographics may be hung up in important areas of the office, like the break room.
   • A section of people will always be indifferent to security. Repeatedly going through phrases visually will help them remember the messages when something unexpected happens.
4. Educate People About Data Privacy Policies- The employees need to be taught that some data is available.
   • However, it should be used on a limited basis. For example- almost all organizations have a list of contacts who have opted out of receiving any further sales-related mails.
   • It will be considered a violation of the policy if an individual mails them.

Conclusion

The leaders of organizations need to send regular updates to the employees about the new scams, software updates, threats, and protocols. The internal security team could conduct data security emergency simulations, tailored to specific job roles and concentrate on attacks an employee may have to face.

Much of what the employees learn at work may be implemented for their personal account safety. The purpose of digital security is to show them the value of what they have learned during their security training at work.