International Computer Security Day: A Day to Strengthen All Cyber Defenses

A person’s birthday reminds us of that particular person for the day. Similarly, to remind and create awareness amongst the people, November 30 is observed as the ‘International Computer Security Day (ICSD).’ This world security day 2020 will remind everyone that protecting data at a personal level is as important as protecting it at the company level.

How the day came into action?

An increase in the number of computer users in 1980 made it mandatory to invest more in computer security. In an effort to solve this situation, the first world computer security day came into action in 1988, a few weeks after the Morris Worm malware was detected on November 2, 1988. It affected almost 10% of the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network or ARPANET.

It became essential as computers’ usage in the processing and storing of vital data in businesses, offices, schools, and government institutions took a pace—the evolution of computers brought with it hacking skills, computer malware, and viruses.

The increase in the number of used computers for work and malware attacks focused on the possibility that sensitive information could be at risk.

In the early 90s, computers had already made their way into national security offices, banks, and hospitals; this meant vital data was at risk of getting corrupted if a breach in the system occurred. The Computer security day, therefore, can be termed the best way to raise awareness of this new global problem and show the hackers and malware creators that they are being eyed upon.

What steps must every organization take on this day?

As computer security day focuses on strengthening every cybersecurity defense, it is difficult to know if any outsider is tracking a personal device connected to the internet. Therefore, ensuring that all the devices are under the cybersecurity realm can be the best way to celebrate the world cybersecurity day.

Following are some major steps that every organization should perform on this international computer security day 2020 –

1. Upgrading passwords

Spending a day to change passwords for all accounts can be the best thing to do on this day. Making use of the same password over a period can prove vulnerable to hackers.

Following password creation guidelines can be one of the best ideas to create a strong password. Also, acquiring a password manager to create random passwords helps saves them at the same time. And the most important one, making use of the same password for every account should be avoided.

2. Upgrading spyware and malware software

Keeping an updated operating system is a must. Along with it, keeping an updated protection software is equally important. Fixing a day to run a scan through the entire system can help keep all the devices updated and free from malware attacks.

Spending this day updating all spyware, antivirus, and malware protection on all devices can be a good idea.

3. Backing up files

Another important activity that could be performed on this day is backing up all files and photos in an offline location, most preferably on a hard disk or online on the cloud or Google drive.

Giving out information at a large scale, such as holding seminars to bring awareness in businesses, schools, or any organization to address the importance of computer security, ways of getting exposed to attacks, and what measures should be taken to protect it from cybersecurity.

Importance of international computer security day

1. Humans play an active role in computer security

Protecting personal detail is important, such as bank accounts or pictures, or any other personal information; maintaining privacy is mandatory. The International computer security day 2020 reminds us that privacy protection is essential and relying alone on programmers is not sufficient. Updating antivirus software at regular intervals, keeping strong passwords, and encrypting data can all be done individually. Making a rule to keep “bad old days” records in memories and not for strangers can keep violators from attacking.

2. Ensuring security for the third party

Everyone is aware that viruses do spread through a third party. For example, if an infected device is associated or attached to someone else’s device, it puts their security at risk. Thus, maintaining timely updates at the individual level is essential.

3. Appreciation for security systems engineers

Behind the scenes, heroes often remain unappreciated, and so does the security system engineers. It’s quite challenging to always stay a step ahead of hackers, especially in this computer technology abundant world. Sparing some time specifically on this international computer day to appreciate the professional hacker-fighters is the perfect thing to do.

How the future of security looks like!

Technology is fast becoming part and parcel of human life. Developing new devices each day connected to the internet, such as heating thermostats, lighting systems, curtain blinds, refrigerators, and washing machines, will be a never-ending phase.

The only drawback of these devices is that they increase the chances of systems being hacked by cybercriminals. The advancements in technology have made computer hacking an easy task and achievable for cyberattackers.

Another point of concern here is that most manufacturers are not keen on working on their smart devices’ security leaks, landing users into unknown risks.

Cybersecurity is something that should be performed daily and not only on a particular D-day. Also, to achieve this, many spywares are readily available that could be downloaded and run at an affordable price.

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