What is Cybersecurity? Everything You Need to Know

Cybersecurity is popularly defined as the practice of implementing tools, processes, and technology to protect computers, networks, electronic devices, systems, and data against cyberattacks. It is adopted by individuals and enterprises to limit the risks of theft, attack, damage, and unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, and sensitive user data. Since its inception in the 1970s, cybersecurity has undergone constant evolution. Today, cybersecurity is no longer restricted to the practice of only protecting computers but also individuals against malicious cyberattacks.

As we progress in our digitalization, the chances of becoming a target to damaging cyberattacks increases. While there is no way to stop the occurrence, staying vigilant and adopting a holistic security approach is key to surviving the attacks. The evolving threat landscape today emphasizes the need to analyze and dive deep into the core of cybersecurity, its evolution, and its role in preventing cyberattacks. So, what is cybersecurity, and why is it so important today? This article will discuss everything you must know about cybersecurity: what it is all about, its importance and benefits, the best career opportunities in the domain, and more.

About Us

EC-Council was formed as the result of very disheartening research after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. Founder, Jay Bavisi, after watching the attacks unfold, postured the question, what if a similar attack were to be carried out on the Cyber battlefield? Would the information security community have the tools and resources at their disposal to thwart such an attack?

At that time, the answer was no. EC-Council, officially incorporated as the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants was formed to create information security training and certification programs to help the very community our connected economy would rely on to save them from a devastating Cyber Attack. EC-Council rapidly gained the support of top researchers and subject matter experts around the world and launched its first Information Security Program, the Certified Ethical Hacker.

With this ever-growing team of subject matter experts and InfoSec researchers, EC-Council continued to build various standards, certifications and training programs in the electronic commerce and information security space.

EC-Council CEH Threat Report 2024: AI and Cybersecurity Report

The digital landscape is constantly shifting, and with it, the tactics and methods employed by cyber threat actors. Staying informed and ahead of the curve is not just a goal but rather a necessity. EC-Council, the inventors of the Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH, the World’s No.1 Ethical Hacking Certification for two decades), has recently released the EC-Council C|EH Threat Report 2024, titled “AI Enabled Threat Actors Vs. Cybersecurity Defenders.” It’s more than just a report—it’s a wake-up call for cybersecurity professionals worldwide.

Access Full CEH Threat Report: (Download Your FREE copy now)

What the Report is About

Shocking Insights From the Front Lines of Cybersecurity!

The report, available for free download, provides an eye-opening glimpse into the state of affairs directly from the front lines of cybersecurity. It presents 20 powerful statistics with technical insights illuminating the latest trends, threats, and vulnerabilities. Let’s delve into some key takeaways from the report.

• AI’s Impact on Attack Methodologies: 83% of the surveyed professionals have noted tangible alterations in attack methodologies due to the AI revolution. Artificial intelligence is more than a buzzword. This technology is fundamentally changing how cyber threats are orchestrated.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Adoption: In response to evolving threats, 80% of the surveyed professionals have embraced multi-factor authentication (MFA) to mitigate risks associated with the top 5 Cloud Threat Tactics and Procedures (TTPs). MFA is proving to be a vital layer of defense.
• The Importance of Education: 82% of the survey respondents emphasize the need for regular training in incident response. Education remains at the forefront of cybersecurity preparedness.
• Identifying Key Threat Vectors: Over 70% of the surveyed professionals identify social engineering and zero-day exploits as top threat vectors. These vectors continue to pose significant challenges in the cybersecurity landscape.
• AI Readiness Gap: Alarmingly, 66% of the surveyed professionals admit to being ill-prepared for AI cyber onslaughts. The rapid evolution of AI-enabled threats necessitates a proactive approach.

The Survey Demographics

The insights presented in the EC-Council C|EH Threat Report 2024 are based on a comprehensive survey conducted by EC-Council, involving professionals with diverse cybersecurity designations. These professionals collectively represent a wealth of experience, with over 50% boasting a decade or more in the field. Furthermore, over 25% of the respondents occupy leadership and management roles across 14 industries.

Why This Cybersecurity Report Matters for Cybersecurity Professionals

In the world of cybersecurity, knowledge is the most potent weapon. The EC-Council C|EH Threat Report 2024 equips professionals with insights to understand, adapt, and mitigate emerging threats. It’s not just a report: it’s a call to action to fortify our defenses, protect our organizations, and safeguard the digital realm.

To access the full report and gain invaluable insights: Download Free CEH Threat Report now. Stay informed, stay ahead, and stay secure.

About US

EC-Council was formed as the result of very disheartening research after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. Founder, Jay Bavisi, after watching the attacks unfold, postured the question, what if a similar attack were to be carried out on the Cyber battlefield? Would the information security community have the tools and resources at their disposal to thwart such an attack?

At that time, the answer was no. EC-Council, officially incorporated as the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants was formed to create information security training and certification programs to help the very community our connected economy would rely on to save them from a devastating Cyber Attack. EC-Council rapidly gained the support of top researchers and subject matter experts around the world and launched its first Information Security Program, the Certified Ethical Hacker.

With this ever-growing team of subject matter experts and InfoSec researchers, EC-Council continued to build various standards, certifications and training programs in the electronic commerce and information security space.

Introduction to Certified Penetration Testing (CPENT) Program | Pent Test Course

EC-Council’s Certified Penetration Testing Professional (C|PENT) program is designed to equip you with the skills needed to conduct effective penetration testing in complex enterprise network environments. The course covers the entire spectrum of penetration testing, including attacking, exploiting, evading, and defending against cyber threats.

For those accustomed to working in flat networks, the live practice range provided by C|PENT goes beyond basic skills, offering advanced training to elevate your capabilities. This includes penetration testing on Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Operational Technology (OT) systems, crafting your exploits, developing custom tools, engaging in advanced binaries exploitation, executing double pivots to access hidden networks, and tailoring scripts/exploits for penetration into the innermost segments of a network.

The core of the CPENT course revolves around practical application, allowing you to hone your penetration testing skills through hands-on experience on our live cyber ranges. These certified penetration testing ranges are dynamic, reflecting real-world scenarios. As the landscape of targets and technology evolves in live networks, the (C|PENT) practice and exam ranges mirror this reality. Our dedicated team of engineers continuously updates the course by adding new targets and defenses, ensuring its relevance throughout the CPENT course’s duration.

About Us

EC-Council was formed as the result of very disheartening research after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. Founder, Jay Bavisi, after watching the attacks unfold, postured the question, what if a similar attack were to be carried out on the Cyber battlefield? Would the information security community have the tools and resources at their disposal to thwart such an attack?

At that time, the answer was no. EC-Council, officially incorporated as the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants was formed to create information security training and certification programs to help the very community our connected economy would rely on to save them from a devastating Cyber Attack. EC-Council rapidly gained the support of top researchers and subject matter experts around the world and launched its first Information Security Program, the Certified Ethical Hacker.

With this ever-growing team of subject matter experts and InfoSec researchers, EC-Council continued to build various standards, certifications and training programs in the electronic commerce and information security space.