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Cyber security is a hot topic with more relevance than ever before. But what exactly is cyber security and where should companies take the initiative and keep an eye when it comes to cyber security? Before we delve further into this question, one thing is already clear: In times of „Industry 4.0“ the so-called fourth industrial revolution, which is characterised by the increasing networking and interaction of companies with each other, cybersecurity is a topic of great importance in Germany and other technologically similarly advanced countries ...

What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is a subfield of information security, which in turn is subordinate to the higher level of information security. If one wanted to find a German definition of cyber security, the term "IT security" would be most appropriate.

What does cyber security do?

It is used to defend against all types of cybercrime. Generally speaking, cybersecurity ensures the security of all software and hardware within a company by taking proactive and reactive measures.

Where exactly is this software and hardware?

Cyber security or IT security is concerned with the protection of computer systems, as well as those of networks and robots, and the protection of all data and functions associated with these systems.

Why are such systems so vulnerable? And what would be the consequences of an attack?

Not only that almost all processes in both smaller and larger companies today rely on functioning IT. The ever-present thread of the internet allows criminals to infiltrate, cause damage and thus disrupt or even cripple business-relevant processes based on software and hardware.

Great cyber security challenge: always-on WLAN

It is both a curse and a blessing: Wifi is now ubiquitous everywhere and on the move, and on top of that, each of us owns devices such as smartphones, smart speakers and the like, which can access large data networks at all times. Systems are interconnected, we store personal data in the online cloud, we communicate with machines and artificial intelligence (AI) elements, and they communicate with us.

The „Internet of Things“ makes cybersecurity all the more important for businesses

In light of this overwhelming jumble of virtual connection and networking points involving both people and „things“ (electronic systems) (also called „Industry 4.0“), cybersecurity is more important than ever. Even though there are so many contact points that it is even akin to the proverbial "fighting against the wind", systems and data, and especially the underlying hardware and software, can be protected by certain measures and overarching concepts. The focus is both on preventing physical access to IT systems and preventing hacker attacks that specifically access hardware and software via, for example, the internet.

Hacker attacks can be prevented by certain measures and overarching concepts.

Hacker attacks as a central issue for cyber security in Germany and worldwide

Hacker attacks are rightly first associated with cybersecurity. Indeed, hacking poses a great danger to IT systems, which can suffer significant damage through malicious software (including viruses), targeted manipulation or data theft. Operationally relevant and sensitive data is the most valuable asset for companies of all sizes, and a disruption of hardware and software can mean the failure of entire business processes in the worst case scenario.

Hacking is not just hacking

When it comes to hacker attacks, it is important to make another distinction, because there are actually „constructive“ hacker attacks as well. Depending on whether a hacker attack is constructively to criminally motivated, a distinction is made between three types of hackers: white-hat, grey-hat and black-hat hackers.

White-hat hackers.

White-hat hackers have no criminal intentions at all; on the contrary, they expose security flaws in the systems of companies or even customers, taking into account all applicable laws. Thus, they even support cyber security and make problem areas visible. Companies that have experienced such a hacker attack can then fix existing security flaws and thus sustainably strengthen the company's cyber security for the future.

Grey Hat Hackers

Grey-hat hackers deliberately walk on the edge of criminality. They are not interested in causing damage to companies' software and hardware, but they deliberately break laws during their attack. Often their actions show extortion tendencies, as the grey hats usually force the victims of their attacks to disclose the security vulnerabilities they discovered.

Black-hat hackers

This type of hacking attack is by definition related to cyber security. Black hats consistently act with criminal intent, intending to damage the affected system, steal data and the like. They are often commissioned by organisations or governments. Black hat hackers thus operate very specifically in the field of cybercrime. In order to protect against this form of hacking, it is essential to take precautions for necessary IT security in medium-sized enterprises and especially in large enterprises with appropriate preventive measures.

Cybersecurity – Definition of sensible measures

Now the question arises: how do you ensure the highest level of cybersecurity in your own business? First of all, appropriate hardware and software for business systems can help prevent unauthorised access in advance. The topic of cybersecurity is organised internally under a separate management system. After a thorough risk assessment, proactive plans are drawn up, applying, for example, the need-to-know principle (each employee of the company is given only as much access to relevant systems internally as he or she needs). With subsequent reactive plans, such as securing networks and the like, cybersecurity is then additionally made as nail-biting as possible.