Cyber Security Threats: What are they and how to avoid them?

In the modern-day virtual world, network and data security are important for any organization. Most of today’s corporate giants such as Microsoft, IBM, and many more, spent a fortune maintaining a highly skilled team of professionals to protect their sensitive data from peeping eyes and readily accept innovative minds to keep up with the changing times. Furthermore, there are even several service providers that these multi-national conglomerates and small and medium-scale businesses reach out to increase their confidence and maintain their system’s integrity. Some even refer to specialists in case of more twisted problems. The more skilled you are, the more respected you become in this field, and the more chances you have to climb up the corporate ladder. This generates a massive number of opportunities to boost your career and dive into the realm of Cybersecurity. Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition.  To help you in this venture, there are a plethora of best online cybersecurity courses such as post-graduate certification and diploma specialization courses to lay out a solid foundation of concepts and improve your understanding of the problems. Taught by world-class faculty from top universities and industry experts with several years of experience in a row, the courses are tailored to keep you at the top of your game. The online lectures, combined with case studies and projects, provide hands-on exposure at your convenience. On top of it all, you get more competitive through participation in hackathons and other such events that give you a crystal clear idea of real-world applications and improve your networking skills and help you make contact with industry leaders and like-minded peers. All this generates a massive chance for you to advance more in your career and step into a whole new corporate world realm. Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in DevOps Top Cyber Security Courses 1. Advanced Certification in Cyber Security This is one of the lengthy courses covering every aspect of the field, such as application security, data secrecy, cryptography, and network security, making you a specialist with a rounded education.  Being tailored for working professionals, the course covers several important programming languages and tools of the trade. Also included in the bundle are several hands-on case studies and projects, including a significant capstone project for you to work on. You also get personalized mentoring and doubt solving sessions with India’s leading Cyber Security faculty and industry leaders to clear out all the concepts and ideas, as well as a forum for general discussion with peers. Along with networking opportunities with a whole new community of cybersecurity enthusiasts, it’s a chance for you to master Cyber Security and make industry connections. Along with all the instruction and mentoring, the course also prepares you for company interviews through resume reviews and building that desirable profile. You get mock interviews and company-specific preparation to keep you at the top of your game and endure the interview pressure. On top of it all, you get access to curated resources according to the company as a finishing touch to make you ready to rock your interviews. With such a learning package and experience at a rate this affordable, it is one of the best online cybersecurity courses. 2. Facebook Cybersecurity University For Veterans Facebook Cybersecurity and Facebook VetWorking teamed up with CodePath.org to teach students or experienced professionals with some CS/IT background the fundamentals of Cybersecurity. This is one of the more extravagant ones. This course is an offline one and is taught in Seattle, Washington. Involving hands-on challenges such as XSS (Cross-Site Scripting), CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery), SQLI (SQL Injection), CTF (Capture The Flag) competition, it is competitive to its core. After applying to this 12-week course, your application goes through a rigorous process, and upon acceptance, you get to work with a group of like-minded peers and sharpen your skills in the various challenges. Although the course is free, students have to pay for their expenses there.  Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Also Read: Career Scope of Cyber Security 3. IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Course Take it from the long-standing multi-national conglomerate. It’s one of the best and well-rounded courses on the market. Taught by industry professionals with several years of experience in a row, you develop knowledge and understanding of cybersecurity analyst tools’ workings, including data protection, endpoint protection, SIEM, and systems and network fundamentals. The duration of the course is not fixed. So take all the time you want to absorb the material. The video lectures are the doubt solving forums are as good as they come. Apart from all that, there are a bunch of articles, podcasts, series, and tutorials for you to select, in case you get curious. It’s free and filled with the same knowledge you’ll get anywhere, perfect for the students. upGrad’s Exclusive Software Development Webinar for you – SAAS Business – What is So Different? document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/mausmi-ambastha.mp4   4. Microsoft Security Administrator Associate Certification Microsoft’s own certification program for security enthusiasts. A complete package of multiple courses to learn and implement identity and access integrity, threat and information protection, and management of the Microsoft 365 system. The course is available on the official Microsoft website. You get the technical course material online for your inconvenience, in the form of small videos. Sadly you don’t get specific forums for doubt solving and general discussion, and you will have to look at other sources. Also, most of the software used is not open-sourced, so there is that problem. But the course is free for all, although you will have to pay for the certification exam. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses 5.  Google Introduction to Cybersecurity Let’s talk about the biggest giant in the tech world. Google provides one of the best online courses that can serve as the perfect starting point for your entry into the world of Cybersecurity. Introduction to the cybersecurity course is an excellent launch pad for an average student. It covers all the fundamentals and core concepts such as networks handle routing, DNS, load-balancing, and more. Learn the Linux operating system, and review programming and APIs. There are a bunch of paid and free courses to select from that cater to every level of your intellect. Apart from that, it also has a plethora of other modules to choose from. But it only serves as an entry point. You will have to do some research on your own to get that extra knowledge. Also, free and paid certification exams are a good part of it, and Google certification is also a significant flex. So you might want to opt for this. But it would be best if you looked for other sources later, for advanced material and projects.  6. LinkedIn Cyber Security for IT professionals LinkedIn is very focused on sending excellent and plenty of learning resources your way and already has a wide array of courses to select from. Its Cybersecurity for IT professionals course is a very sound starting point to build up an excellent foundation. The resources are presented as a freemium service, and you will have to pay for them after the trial period is over. Nevertheless, the courses like introduction to core concepts are a must-visit for any beginner and have associated materials and projects for you to experiment on. Also, once completed, you get to show them on your LinkedIn profile. The courses range from foundation concepts to advanced implementation of those concepts to thwart attacks and maintain protection. And are not time-bound. So you get to fiddle around and see what works for you until you settle for that one course. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? Must Read: Cyber Security Salary in India Conclusion The world of Cybersecurity is one of constant shifts and development. Hackers are even more notorious now for getting their hands on sensitive information and profiting off it. New algorithms and software are created to tackle the forever changing threats to the data worth a fortune. Companies are now invested in securing their data more than ever because, for a company, this does compromise its data and the faith of their clients and customers and their reputation. For this purpose, they spend a fortune’s worth on maintaining a team of learned professionals with years of experience to secure its humongous amount of data from breach and maintain its integrity. The demand for such a hardworking and talented workforce creates a huge number of job opportunities. The resources and all the materials you will ever need are at your beck and call. So if one works diligently, follows a set path, and pays attention to detail, they might soon find themselves spearheading a team of peers and getting into their dream jobs.

Gartner’s decisive research reveals that the global information security market is estimated to reach a $170.4 billion valuation in 2024. Simultaneously, there is a consistent and sharp rise in the number of threatening breaches. And as of 2020, the average cost of one of these data breaches is approximately $3.86 million. Such statistics make one realise that with significant industrial growth come greater challenges. With information technology rising as the backbone of development, organisations must recognise the growing cybersecurity threats. Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition. What Can We Expect in 2024? 2020 has seen a bunch of essential changes in the information security sector. The Covid-19 pandemic has created a global and remote workforce heavily dependent on cloud-based platforms, internal servers and data networks. 2020 also witnessed the phased rollout of 5G, making connectivity easier, faster and more advanced than before. Keeping in mind such developments, 2024 may face the following cybersecurity challenges: Cybercriminals may actively poach upon employees working remotely. Cloud breaches may become rampant. 5G may improve connectivity but exposes networks to attacks. Companies face a shortage of human resources fully-equipped to mitigate cybersecurity threats. Artificial intelligence will come to the forefront as the source of solutions to cybersecurity threats. Concepts such as hyper-automation become important with AI being used to automate as many IT processes as possible.  Organisational budgets to enhance cybersecurity and reduce threats will increase, including application monitoring, authentication and cloud data protection in its ambit. Check out upGrad’s Java Bootcamp Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses The Mojor Threads to Cybersecurity As technology becomes complex, so do the threats that it is susceptible to. Dangers to digital data, chinks in the supply chain, phishing and hacking are only the tip of the iceberg. In 2024, the primary cybersecurity challenges are as follows: Check out upGrad’s Full Stack Development Bootcamp (JS/MERN) 1. Hacking One of the most common cybersecurity threats, hacking is exploiting a private network or digital system to gain unauthorised information. The severity of its impact is also increasing as hacking puts company reputation at stake, exposes sensitive data and causes major legal trouble. In 2020, Verizon conducted a study of 4000 data breaches and found that nearly 50% of them resulted from hacking. Interestingly, it has been found that users themselves have a significant role in making their systems vulnerable because of weak passwords and incomplete authentication processes.   2. Phishing Phishing is sending out malicious files and deceitful communication that seems to be from an authentic source, but in reality, is meant to enter the system and harm data. The most common files used for phishing look like script files, windows executables, compressed documents, batch files, java files, android executables and PDFs. As of January 17 2022, Google has registered 2,145,013 phishing sites, a 27% growth from the figures calculated 12 months ago.  3. Supply Chain Risks As companies expand business operations, they have to involve more and more third-party vendors in their internal networks. This puts organisations at the risk of threats that enter the system via thin cybersecurity walls belonging to their vendors. The solution providers you are working with may or may not have the requisite layers of protection, making your network vulnerable. One of the biggest container shippers globally, Maersk Line had to halt operations in 76 ports because of an attack in their supply chain network that prevented them from taking new orders. upGrad’s Exclusive Software Development Webinar for you – SAAS Business – What is So Different? document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/mausmi-ambastha.mp4   4. Man-in-the-Middle Attack MiTM attack happens when an attacker includes themselves in a two-party transaction. When they successfully enter the traffic, they can interrupt channels of communication and steal data. The most common sources of such attacks are unsecured public Wi-Fi and malware. According to IBM’s X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2018, 35% of data exploitation resulted from Man-in-the-Middle Attacks. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses 5. Structured Query Language (SQL) Injection SQL is a programming language for handling data and updating, requesting and deleting data from databases. A SQL Injection is a cybersecurity threat that occurs when the attacker injects harmful code into the system, causing it to divulge information which under normal circumstances it is not authorised to do. It is one of the most straightforward forms of attacks where a third-party has to enter malicious code in a poorly-protected website search box. In 2019, 42% of public-facing systems encountered SQL injections. 6. DNS Tunnelling Domain Name System (DNS) is a naming system for any device or network connected to the internet. DNS Tunnelling is a cyberattack that encodes data of programs or protocols in DNS queries and responses. The common mistake made by organisations is not inspecting DNS traffic for malicious presence. And since DNS is a well-established protocol, hackers take advantage of this vulnerability and insert malware into the system that manages to bypass most firewalls.  Also Read: How to become a successful cybersecurity engineer? How to Strengthen Your Systems? The key to effectively tackling cybersecurity challenges lies in the interplay of technological advancement, education and awareness. The first step of the process is to admit that you are always at the risk of a cybersecurity threat. Irrespective of whether you’re an individual, a company with less than 500 employees or a multinational, a threat can come at any time. It puts personal data at risk and for companies, can cause permanent damage and even closure.  1. Raise Awareness in Teams Cybersecurity challenges are not stagnant. Every day, there is a new threat, and employees must be sensitised to the issues. Cybersecurity experts must conduct regular workshops to train employees to identify suspicious content and follow safety protocols while dealing with digital data. 2. Invest in a Cybersecurity Expert/Team This is even more important for small companies who feel that they aren’t as susceptible to cybersecurity threats as larger corporations. Institutions and organisations irrespective of scale must divert a significant portion of their resources to building a more robust tech team that is continuously monitoring and implementing newer cybersecurity solutions. 3. Download your Updates One of the most common errors is to leave new updates as they are. System updates are vital for preventing cybersecurity threats and mustn’t be ignored. If you’re just a regular person who owns a laptop, make sure you update your BIOS and download all software updates. If you’re a company, think about opting for patch management software that looks into updating your systems.  Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript 4. Prevent Database Exposure Cybersecurity threats love to poach on databases, and in most breaches, vast amounts of data have fallen prey to malicious actors. Some standard methods to prevent database exposure are keeping physical hardware safe, having a web application firewall, encrypting server data, taking regular backups, and limited access to servers. Implement Strong Authentication Not having enough authentication processes is a common source of cybersecurity threats. It is the main reason behind credential stuffing where hackers try to gain access by using login credentials. At least a 2-step verification process must be implemented to protect all devices. Different accounts must have different passwords instead of a common one being shared by multiple platforms. Cybersecurity challenges are a reality that is assuming mammoth proportions. And, this is a threat that can affect anybody. Its effects range from siphoning off a small amount of money to entire organisations’ shut down because of a data breach, legal troubles arising from privacy violations and compliance guidelines. In 2024, it is up to individuals and companies to take charge of the situation and protect technology from being misused. With the newer ideas and innovations coming to the forefront, the number of resources available for development sees exponential growth. To ensure the upward trajectory continues, more significant time, budget and thought must be invested to improve cybersecurity and public trust in digitisation.  Checkout: Career in Cybersecurity Conclusion upGrad, in collaboration with IIIT Bangalore, offers a PG course named, Advanced Certificate Programme in Cyber Security for aspiring cybersecurity professionals. The offered course specializes in application security, data secrecy, cryptography, and network security. This helps you in starting a career in cybersecurity as a Cyber Security Expert, Cyber Security Engineer, and Software Developer. Learn Software Development Courses online from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs or Masters Programs to fast-track your career.

Cryptography is the process of writing encryption codes to help protect private and valuable data and cryptographers are the professionals who write and crack codes as needed. Because of cryptographers, we have a safe internet space to conduct online shopping and send private emails. Consider a situation where while shopping online, your credit card number gets circulated across the internet for anyone to see. This would make you reconsider your purchasing decisions. Luckily, cryptographers protect your online shopping transactions to keep your credit card numbers and other private details safe.  Cryptography is both a challenging and interesting career choice if you possess an adventurous streak and a creative bent of mind.  However, it should be noted cryptographers are required to be extremely hard-working and dedicated towards the various nitty-gritty of the profession that is prone to constant disruptions. If you are considering pursuing a career in cryptography, here is everything you need to know. The article covers everything from the job description of cryptographers to the highest paying cryptography jobs in India. So, let’s get started! Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition. What is Cryptography? Although cryptography seems like a new age career for a digital world, it is far from reality. Cryptographers, throughout history, have been using cyphers and algorithms to secure communications. They use knowledge of computer science and mathematics to develop algorithms to keep data safe. It is their job to develop new security solutions once the previous methodologies become outdated. Cryptographers can work in various industries like government agencies or financial organizations to protect sensitive data and communication. This requires you to possess expertise in advanced algebra, programming languages like Python, Java, C, C++, proficiency in writing algorithms, knowledge of symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, cybersecurity, and computer networking, among others.  Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in Cyber Security  The basic responsibilities of a cryptographer include: They identify and secure any possible weak points of existing cryptography systems. They are responsible for testing cryptology theories to meet the organization’s needs. They are responsible for improving the security of the data by implementing more secure and encrypted solutions. They utilize the public key cryptography techniques with RSA for better results.  They are responsible for prototyping new security system solutions using advanced programming encryption strategies and techniques.   A cryptographer is responsible for training staff to handle interaction data and develop safe and secure systems They are responsible for developing and managing the organization’s encryption technology, including software code and third-party product adoption. A cryptographer utilizes free public key and private key cryptography to help achieve encryption goals. A cryptographer works to decrypt the information required to find vulnerabilities that the hackers can misuse. Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in Cloud Computing  How to Become a Cryptographer? For someone who wants to pursue cryptography as a career must take an undergraduate degree in mathematics, computer science, or any relatable subject. This is important because the subjects teach the quantitative logic and technical skills required to formulate and break complex computerized codes. As many cryptologists work in military defence systems requiring interaction with foreign communication signals, it is better to take additional courses in a particular foreign language. Candidates with further research-based or advanced degrees in network engineering or information security with cryptology specialization tend to get a higher salary. This academic background helps a student become a cryptology practitioner responsible for creating secure computing products or a crypto analyst who researches new processes and models required to build safe and secure computing systems. You can also pursue a longer 13-month Advanced Certificate Programme in Cyber Security  to attract lucrative jobs paying top salaries. With 400+ hours of content, 7+ case studies and projects, and 6 tools and software, you stand to obtain a 66% average salary hike.  Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript What are the Skills Required in Cryptography? Since both private and public organizations rely on cryptographers to keep their data secure, there are a range of skills required, depending on the organization, in order to land a desirable job in an industry. Here are the hard skills necessary to become a cryptographer: Knowledge of IT security, software, hardware, and solutions. Command on source code programming languages like C++, Java, Python, PHP, and others to enhance source code developing abilities. Adequate experience with IT support and in using various computer operating systems like Linux, UNIX, and MS-Windows Knowledge of symmetric and asymmetric cryptography.  Knowledge of Information complexity and number theories. Ability to add enhanced security to an organization using decryption methods. Strong mathematics skills in linear algebra and discrete mathematics. Knowledge of cryptographic algorithms and data structures.  In addition to this, a cryptographer must have good verbal and written communication skills as they are responsible for helping senior IT managers. Here are some of the soft skills required in a cryptographer: Time management skills to handle multiple projects at a given time.  Team management skills to work as part of a team. Leadership skills to work proactively with security professionals and remain self-motivated. Communication skills to communicate with non-technical professionals and help them understand the technical concepts. Puzzle and problem-solving skills and sound judgemental skills. Critical and analytical thinking skills A cryptographer must stay up to date with the new developments in information technology security and trends of security systems. upGrad’s Exclusive Software Development Webinar for you – SAAS Business – What is So Different? document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/mausmi-ambastha.mp4   Cryptographer Salary in India On average, the cryptographer salary in India is ₹600,000 per year. Additionally, they get a yearly bonus which further adds to the total amount. However, the cryptographer salary varies greatly based on the job, company, and various other aspects. Depending on these factors, a cryptographer can earn up to ₹ 1 million per year.  Top 6 Cryptography Careers As a cryptographer, one can work in various industries ranging from private to government agencies. Here are the top positions one can consider as a cryptographer: 1. Security Software Developer Average Base Salary: ₹583k /year A candidate with a master’s degree in cybersecurity and computer science is the primary candidate for the software developer position. However, today even a cryptography background can make you eligible for the position. This is because cybersecurity does not require the use of code, but it needs a lock and key mechanism for electronics and computers. Security software developers, thus, focus on using algorithms and coding to prevent any security breaches or attacks. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses 2. Ethical Hacker Average Base Salary: ₹501k /year An ethical hacker’s job is to develop scripts suitable for testing the vulnerabilities of the network system. Almost every business organization needs an ethical hacker to protect themselves from security breaches. Also, an ethical hacker is hired by the government to prevent the compromise of national security features. Because of the high relevance of the position in the current digital atmosphere, ethical hacking salary is relatively high even for an entry-level position. 3. Cyber Security Consultant Average Base Salary: ₹744k /year Cybersecurity consultants have an integral role in defending and attacking a system for exploiting vulnerabilities and detecting the organization’s computer network and system weakness. Typically, this job position is not employed as an in-house team. A cybersecurity consultant can either work for a third-party security consulting firm or can be self-employed. 4. Network Engineer Average Base Salary: ₹324k /year Network engineers with their advanced level position are responsible for implementing, designing, and testing cost-effective and secure computer networks ranging from local area networks, internet connections, wide area network internet, and other communication systems. A network engineer is responsible for upgrading software and hardware and planning the implementation of security patches or various other defence measures to protect the organization’s network against vulnerabilities. 5. Cybersecurity Analyst Average Base Salary: ₹525k /year Cyber Security analysts are professionals responsible for defending an organisation’s cybersecurity. With the increase in data breaches, cybersecurity analysts keep a constant eye on threats and monitor the organization’s network to find any potential security vulnerabilities. Using the information collected from threat monitoring tools and other sources, these professionals identify, analyze and report events that might have occurred or can occur with the network system. 6. Cybersecurity Manager Average Base Salary: ₹1672k /year The job is among the most in-demand positions in India. A cybersecurity manager is responsible for implementing and overseeing the security programs for a specified system or network. In fact, various organizations require multiple security managers to control the specific portions of the organization’s security program. The cybersecurity managers are expected to monitor their focus area, compliance-related policies, maintain related tools, order their program and build cybersecurity awareness. Cryptography as the heart of Information Technology Security The job of cryptographers varies greatly based on the type of organization they work in. They work for public and private agencies where they are responsible for safeguarding classified information and for identifying threats to national security.  For instance, cryptographers working in the National security Agency will spend their day decrypting a sensitive document required to ensure national security. They help the agency to encrypt the necessary documents so that they can be analyzed further. Cryptographers are generally trained in signal intelligence within military or other government agencies where they use the knowledge to create stronger communication networks for air, land and sea-based systems. They are also trained to intercept, accumulate and analyze signals and communication from outside sources to identify any possible threats. Various institutions operating in financial services, banking, healthcare, and telecommunication utilize a computing system for encryption technology developed by a cryptologist. Because of the presence of sensitive data in this industry, organizations use data security methods like encryption. Professionals specialize in computer network security and use various mathematical algorithms and tools to develop codes that cannot be deciphered without authorized decryption keys.  All the sectors of cryptography require mathematics to develop new and innovative ways for encrypting data. While there are various algorithms that already exist to encrypt data, hackers always come up with new, ingenious ways to obtain access to a system. This means that cryptographers must constantly work creatively to develop new ways of protecting data and devise new techniques for cracking cyphers, to combat malicious attacks.  Conclusion Although a cryptography career has gained popularity in recent times, it is not a new profession. With the increase in technology usage in various fields, it is essential to protect data and sensitive information at any cost. As a professional, a cryptographer is responsible for keeping the data secure and safe even in worst-case scenarios.  However, there are several pressing concerns in the cybersecurity industry that are expected to continue in 2022. These include frequent cloud breaches with respect to the remote workforce who are currently a huge target for cybercriminals. IoT devices are also at risk as a result of the growing usage of 5G in connected devices.  Furthermore, with this increase in cyber-attacks and breaches, the role of a cryptographer has increased significantly. However, there is a cybersecurity skills gap that is expected to continue. This has led to the demand for talented cryptographers as more and more companies are providing the opportunity to aspiring cybersecurity professionals to upskill themselves and contribute to the security of an organisation. A cryptographer’s job may be full of thrills and challenges but it also requires hard work and dedication to succeed.  That is why it is essential for cryptographers to keep themselves updated with all the latest trends and technologies to drive organizational growth. There is a rise in careers in Cyber Security technology and blockchain has tremendously changed the very face of the technology industry forever.  If you’re interested to become a Cryptographer checkout IIIT-B & upGrad’s Advanced Certificate Programme in Cyber Security

Ethical hacking is a broad skill with numerous concepts to master. This is why preparing ethical hacking interview questions can be a bit challenging for many.  To help you with your preparation, we have assorted the following list of our top ethical hacking interview questions and answers. It would help you get an idea of what you can expect from the interview.  Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition. Top Ethical Hacking Interview Questions and Answers 1. What Do you Mean by Mac Address and IP Address? Ans: The MAC (Machine Access Control) address is a unique serial number assigned to a network interface of every device. It’s similar to a physical mailbox where only the postal carrier (network router) can distinguish it. You can change the Mac address by getting a new network card.  On the other hand, the IP address is the specific ID of a device such that we can locate the device on a network. We can say it’s like the postal address where anyone can send you a letter if they know your postal address.  2. What Do you Mean by Ethical Hacking? What is an Ethical Hacker?  Ans: Ethical hacking is when you hack into a system or device with the permission of its owner to find weak areas in its security or operation. An ethical hacker is a computer security expert who specializes in multiple testing methodologies including penetration testing to check the security of an organization’s information systems.  Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in Blockchain  3. What is Footprinting? Do you Know any Footprinting Techniques? Ans: Footprinting is the accumulation and uncovering of a target network’s information before gaining access to the same. Your focus in footprinting is to gain as much data as possible about your target network so you can plan your strategy and preferred testing methods. There are the following types of footprinting: Open Source Footprinting Here, you will look for the contact information of the administrators so you can use it to guess passwords in social engineering.  Network Enumeration Here, you will try to find the domain names and the network blocks of the target. Scanning Here you first find out the network and spy the active IP addresses to identify the Internet Control Message Protocol.  Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in Cyber Security  Stack Fingerprinting In stack fingerprinting, you map the hosts and port by scanning the network. After you have completed the scanning, you can conduct the final footprinting.  Note: This is among the most important ethical hacking interview questions and answers, so you should prepare its answer with a little extra effort.  Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses 4. Can you list out Some Ethical Hacking Tools?  Ans: Following are some of the most popular ethical hacking tools available: WireShark Metasploit Maltego John the Ripper NMAP 5. What is a DoS (Denial of Service) Attack? Ans: A Denial of Service attack, also known as a DoS attack, focuses on shutting down a network and making it inaccessible to its users. It achieves this goal by flooding the target with traffic or sending it information that causes the target to crash. 6. What Do you Mean by a Brute Force Hack? Ans: Brute force hack is a method to hack passwords and gain access to a system and its network resources. Here, you submit numerous passphrases and passwords hoping that you will eventually guess the correct combination. You must systematically check all the possible passphrases and passwords to find the correct combination. Brute force hacking takes a lot of time and requires you to use JavaScript. The most suitable tool to perform a brute force attack is Hydra. 7. What is SQL Injection?  Ans: SQL injection is a code injection technique we use to attack data-driven applications. Here, we insert malicious SQL statements into an entry field for execution which manipulates the backend database. It allows us to access information which we aren’t allowed to access such as private customer data, sensitive information about the company or user lists. upGrad’s Exclusive Software Development Webinar for you – SAAS Business – What is So Different? document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/mausmi-ambastha.mp4   8. What are the Most Prominent Types of DoS Attacks?  Ans: Following are the most prominent types of DoS attacks:  Plashing Here, you cause permanent damage to the system hardware by sending fake updates to the hardware. The only way to overcome this issue is to re-install new hardware. Application Layer Attacks In an application layer attack, you exploit the programming errors in an application to cause a DoS attack. Here, you send multiple application requests to the target and exhaust its resources so it becomes unable to service its valid clients. TCP-State Exhaustion Attack Here you set up and tear down the TCP connections and overwhelm the stable tables, which results in a DoS attack. Fragmentation Attacks In a fragmentation attack, you fight the reassembling ability of your target. You send multiple fragmented packets to the target and make it difficult for it to reassemble them, which denies access to the target’s clients. Syn Flooding In Syn flooding, you comprise multiple zombies and flood the target with multiple SYN packets. When you overwhelm the target with SYN requests, either its performance reduces drastically or it shuts down. Volumetric Attacks Here, you consume the entire bandwidth of a network so the authorized clients of your target wouldn’t get the resources. You do so by flooding the network devices such as the switches or hubs with multiple ICMP echo request (or reply) packets to consume the entire bandwidth. This way no other client can connect with the target.  In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses 9. Do you Know the Types of Computer-Based Social Engineering Attacks? If so, What are They?  Ans: Yes, I know the different types of computer-based social engineering attacks. The most prominent kinds of computer-based social engineering attacks are: Phishing Online scams Baiting 10. What Do you Mean by ARP Spoofing or ARP Poisoning? Ans: Address resolution protocol poisoning, also known as ARP poisoning or ARP spoofing, is when you send fraudulent ARP messages over a LAN (local area network) to link your MAC address with the IP address of a legitimate server or computer on the network. Once your MAC address is linked, you can receive all the messages directed to the legitimate MAC address, allowing you to intercept, modify, and block communications to the legitimate MAC address. 11.What Do you mean by Phishing? Ans: Phishing is a form of online scam where an attacker tries to obtain sensitive information such as passwords, passphrases, usernames, and other data by impersonating a legitimate or trustworthy organization. Phishing attacks occur through many digital media such as email, social media, text messages, and even phone calls. 12. How Would you Avoid ARP Poisoning?  Ans: I can use multiple methods to prevent and avoid ARP poisoning. Here are the methods I would use to avoid ARP poisoning: Use Cryptographic Network Protocols You can use secure communication protocols such as HTTP, SSH, and TLS to prevent ARP spoofing attacks as they encrypt the data before transmission and authenticate it when it is received. Conduct Packet Filtering You can use packet filtering and inspection to catch poisoned packets before they reach their goal. It would allow you to avoid many ARP poisoning attacks. Avoid Trust Relationships Some systems use IP trust relations to automatically connect to particular devices to share data. However, you should completely avoid this feature and use proper verification systems as it makes it quite easy for a hacker to perform ARP spoofing when you have IP trust relationships. Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Check Malware Monitoring Settings The malware and antivirus tools you use may have features to protect you from ARP poisoning. You should check your malware monitoring settings and enable ARP spoofing prevention options to safeguard your network. Use static ARP You can create a static ARP entry in the server to reduce the risk of ARP spoofing. It would create a permanent entry in the ARP cache and add a layer of protection. 13. What is Network Sniffing? Ans: A network sniffer monitors network traffic for data (such as where the traffic comes from, which protocols are used, etc.) It helps you view and capture packed data on the network and locate network problems. We use network sniffers in proper network management and in ethical hacking to steal information. 14. What is Mac Flooding?  Ans: A media access control attack, also known as MAC flooding, is a method for compromising the security of network switches. In MAC flooding, you flood the network with fake MAC addresses to steal sensitive data that was being transferred into the network. Notice that you don’t attack any host machines in the network instead, focus on the network switches. In usual cases, you’d send ethernet frames with numerous sender addresses to the target in a large quantity. This way, you’d consume the memory of the switch which stores the MAC address table, causing all the valid users to be pushed out of the network. This prevents the switch from sending incoming data to the destination. 15. What do you mean by the DHCP Rogue Server? Ans: A rogue DHCP server is a DHCP server on a network that is no longer under the network staff’s or the administration’s control. It can be a router or model and will offer clients the default gateway, IP addresses, WINS servers, DNS servers, and other facilities. In this case, if the rogue DHCP server passes information that differs from the real servers, the clients might face network access problems. It can also sniff all the traffic sent by the clients’ other networks and violate network security policies. 16. What Do you Mean by Enumeration? Ans: In enumeration, you extract usernames, network resources, machine names, services and shares from a system. You create an active connection to the system and perform directed queries to gather information about your target which you can use to find the weak points in the target’s system security. You can conduct enumeration in intranet environments. It is a more robust attack technique than brute force attacks. 17. How Would you Prevent a Website from Getting Hacked? Ans: I would save a website from getting hacked by using the following methods: Sanitize and Validate user Parameters I’ll sanitize and validate the user parameters before sending them to the database which would reduce the success of any SQL injection attack. Use Firewall I would use a firewall to mitigate traffic from suspicious IP addresses. This would save the website from simple DoS attacks. Encrypt the Cookies I would prevent cookie and session poisoning by encrypting the cookie content, associating cookies with a client IP address, and timing them out after a certain duration. Validate and Verify User Input I would validate and verify user input to prevent tampering. Validate and Sanitize Headers I would validate and sanitize headers to combat cross-site scripting (or XSS). Note: This is among the most important ethical hacking interview questions and answers so you should prepare it very carefully. 18. What is NTP? Ans: NTP stands for Network Time Protocol and it’s a networking protocol to synchronize clocks between computer systems. It supports synchronization over the Internet and local area networks. NTP is among the oldest components of the TCP/IP protocol suite. 19. What do you Mean by Keylogger Trojan? Ans: A keylogger trojan or a keylogger virus tracks and logs everything you enter through your keyboard to give the attacker access to your personal data. As it tracks your every keystroke, the attacker can use its data to find your username and password. Keylogger Trojans are available for all kinds of computer devices including laptops, smartphones, and PCs. 20. What is Defacement? Ans: In a defacement attack, you penetrate a website and replace its content with your own messages or make unexpected changes to files. Web defacements are the unauthorized modification of web pages. Usually, hacktivists such as Anonymous conduct these attacks by replacing the hosted messages on a website with their own. 21. What is Pharming? Ans: Pharming is made of two words “phishing” and “farming”. Here the attacker installs malicious code on their target’s server or computer which directs the target to bogus websites without their consent or knowledge. For example, suppose you open the browser in your smartphone and a few suspicious websites open up as default automatically. 22. What Do you Mean by coWPAtty? Ans: coWPAtty is a C-based tool that allows you to run brute-force dictionary attacks against WPA-PSK and audit pre-shared WPA keys. You can use this tool to find weak paraphrases while auditing WPA-PSK networks. 23. What are the Different Kinds of Hackers? Ans: There are primarily three kinds of hackers: White Hat Hackers White hat hackers work with an organization to enhance its information security systems. They have the authority from the organization to find and exploit the weaknesses in their cybersecurity implementations. White hat hackers are also known as ethical hackers and they aim to find the weak spots of their organization’s cybersecurity implementations so they can strengthen the same. Black Hat Hackers: Black hat hackers are people who try to gain unauthorized entry into a network or system to exploit the same for malicious reasons. They don’t have any permission to exploit their target’s network or system and aim to cause damage to their target through one or multiple methods. Grey Hat Hackers: As the name suggests, grey hat hackers fall between the two categories we mentioned before. A grey hat hacker exploits a computer system or network without authority or permission (like a black hat) but they notify the owner or administrator about the issue for a fee. They might also extort the target and offer to fix the issue for a fee. 24. What is a Trojan Virus? What are its Different Types?  Ans: A Trojan virus or a Trojan horse is a kind of malware disguised as legitimate software. Hackers use the trojan virus to gain access to their targets’ systems. They usually employ social engineering techniques such as phishing and pharming to install the virus on their target’s system. The different types of Trojans are: Trojan Backdoor Trojan Rootkits Trojan Droppers Trojan Banker Trojan-Downloader Ransomware 25. Can you Name Different Kinds of Password Cracking Methods? Ans: Yes, there are the following types of password cracking methods: Guessing Spidering Shoulder surfing Social engineering Phishing Rainbow table attacks Rule-based attacks Syllable attacks Hybrid attacks Brute forcing attacks Dictionary attacks 26.What are the Different Kinds of Sniffing? Ans: There are two kinds of sniffing: Active sniffing: You use active sniffing in switch-based networks and determine whether the traffic would be locked, monitored and altered. Passive sniffing: In passive sniffing, you lock the traffic but don’t alter it. You sniff through the hub. You use passive sniffing at the data link layer of the network. 27.What are the Different Enumerations? Ans: Following are the various enumerations in ethical hacking: Linux or Windows enumeration DNS enumeration SMB enumeration SNMP enumeration NTP enumeration Conclusion By using the above ethical hacking interview questions and answers, you can easily understand what to expect during the interview. They should help you figure out what kind of questions the recruiter would ask you. It would be best to understand the concepts instead of memorizing them when you’re preparing for a tech interview like this one. This way, you’d have a better grasp of the subject.  If you’re interested in learning more about this field, check out our Advanced Certificate Programme in Cyber Security . It would teach you the necessary skills for becoming a professional ethical hacker. 

Ethical Hacking Projects refer to the different tools and concepts that are used in an ethical hacking activity. Development of tools is created dependent on prerequisites, with open source frameworks like Python, Nmap, hping, etc.  A Proper lab is an arrangement for testing and verification of the working of the tools. A few projects in our list are research-based studies, where a detailed explanation is provided on specific concepts and methodologies. Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition. The following list displays the current innovative, ethical hacking projects that’ll help you develop a first-hand experience in Ethical hacking: Invoker Hackdroid H4cker Packet Sniffer Capsulecorp Pentest Hrshell Lockphish Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in Cyber Security 1. Invoker Invoker is a utility that tests penetration. This ethical hacking project used when access to some Windows OS features through GUI is restricted. A few features require administrative privileges. To work on this ethical hacking project, one must start by invoking the command prompt and PowerShell, then download a file and add a registry key. After the registration process is complete, you can schedule the task. Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) can connect to a remote host. After that, you can end a running process and run a new process while dumping the process memory and injecting bytecode into the running process along with a DLL. Further, you can list the DLLs of the running process and proceed with the hook procedure instalment. This will enable access to token privileges and make it possible to duplicate an access token of a running process. You can list unquoted service paths, and it will restart the running service and replace Sticky Keys. Check out upGrad’s Advanced Certification in Cloud Computing Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript 2. Hackdroid Hackdroid is a collection of pen testing and security-related apps for android. It divides the applications into different categories to easily download any application from any category and use them for penetration testing and ethical hacking. Several applications will require root permissions for that. Instaling Magisk will be helpful to root the device and if not that, rooting the device is also possible by searching on google or XDA forum about how you can root your device. You mustn’t use your primary device for hacking because it’s likely that the creators of the application or those who changed it have already put malware on it to steal peoples’ private data. 3. H4cker H4cker includes thousands of resources related to ethical hacking/penetration testing, digital forensics and incident response (DFIR), vulnerability research, reverse engineering, and more. This GitHub vault was created to give supplemental material to several books, video courses, and live training created by Omar Santos and other co-authors. It provides over 7,000 references, scripts, tools, code, and other resources that help offensive and defensive security professionals learn and develop new skills. It provides direction on creating one’s custom hacking environment, learning about offensive security (ethical hacking) techniques, vulnerability research, malware analysis, threat intelligence, threat hunting, digital forensics, and incident response (DFIR). It also includes examples of real-life penetration testing reports. Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses upGrad’s Exclusive Software and Tech Webinar for you – SAAS Business – What is So Different? document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/mausmi-ambastha.mp4   4. Packet Sniffer Packet Sniffer is a simple pure-Python network. In this ethical hacking project, the Packets are disassembled as they arrive at a given network interface controller, and information they contain is displayed on the screen. This application is independent and doesn’t need to depend on third-party modules, and can be run by any Python 3.x interpreter. In this ethical hacking project, the contained code is used either in part or in its totality, for engaging targets with no prior mutual consent is illegal. The responsibility to be all applicable to local, state, and federal laws is on the end-user.  The use of code is endorsed only by the creators in those circumstances directly related to educational environments or allowed penetration testing engagements that declare the goal, that is of finding and mitigating vulnerabilities in systems, limitation of their exposure to compromises and exploits employed by malicious agents as defined in their respective threat models. Developers presume that they have no liability and that they are not responsible for misuses or damages caused by any code contained in this ethical hacking project that, accidentally or otherwise, it comes to be used by a threat agent or unauthorised entity to compromise the security, and their associated resources by leveraging the exploitation of both known or unknown vulnerabilities present in said systems, including, but not limited to, the implementation of security controls, human- or electronically enabled. 5. Capsulecorp Pentest The Capsulecorp Pentest is a small virtual network maintained by Vagrant and Ansible. It incorporates five virtual machines, including one Linux attacking system running Xubuntu and 4 Windows 2019 servers configured with various other vulnerable services. You can use it as a standalone environment for learning network penetration testing. Setting up a virtual network and learning penetration testing can be tiresome tasks and time and resource-draining. But in this ethical hacking project, things are done for the user already. After getting Vagrant, Ansible and VirtualBox installed on the machine, the user can run a couple of vagrant commands to have a completely functioning, Active Directory domain that you can use for hacking, learning, pentesting etc. 6. Hrshell HRShell is an HTTPS/HTTP reverse shell built with a flask. It is an advanced C2 server with many features & capabilities. It is also compatible with python 3.x.  It is a stealthy ethical hacking project with TLS support. The Shellcode can be set or changed on the fly from the server. You must check the client’s proxy support, directory navigation (cd command and variants), and interactive history commands available on Unix systems. One may need to download, upload, screenshot, and hex the available commands. It also supports pipelining and chained commands and non-interactive commands like gdb, top, etc. The server is capable of both HTTP and HTTPS. It is available with two built-in servers named: flask built-in and tornado-WSGI. Also, it is compatible with other production servers like gunicorn and Nginx. Since most of its functionality comes from the server’s endpoint-design, it is effortless to write to a client in any other language, e.g. Java, GO, etc. 7. Lockphish Lockphish is the first-ever tool for phishing attacks on the lock screen, which is designed to grab windows credentials, android and iPhone passcodes using an HTTPS link. It is a lock screen phishing page for Windows, Android and iOS. Also, it doubles up as an auto-detect device. The port forwarding is guided by Ngrok and includes an IP Tracker. This ethical hacking project idea is illegal. The usage of Lockphish for attacking targets without prior mutual consent is illegal. The responsibility falls on the end-users to obey all applicable local, state and federal laws. Developers assume no liability and are not responsible for any misuse or damage caused by this program.  While these are only a handful of ethical hacking projects that you could try, the best way to master ethical hacking is to enrol in a professional course. Since certification programs and professional courses are defined per industry standards, they enable learners to gain theoretical and practical knowledge of a domain.   In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Online Course on Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking Having the necessary theoretical knowledge is vital in this field of work, but it is the implementation, and coming up with ethical hacking project ideas is an entirely different ballgame. It is necessary to prepare oneself with more refined skills to excel in this field. Key highlights of the course: Placement assurance  Online sessions + live lessons IIT Bangalore alumni status 7+ case studies and projects 6 Programming Languages & Tools Four months of executive certification in data science & machine learning, for free upGrad 360° Career Support – job fairs, mock interviews, etc. Software Career Transition Bootcamp for non-tech & new coders’. No cost EMI option Minimum Eligibility A bachelor’s degree with 50% or equivalent passing marks. It requires no coding experience. Topics That are Covered Application Security, Data Secrecy, Cryptography, and Network Security, to name a few. Who Is This Course For? IT and Technology Professionals, Project Leads and Managers in IT/Tech Companies, Tech Support Engineers and Admins. Job Opportunities Cyber Security Expert, Cyber Security Engineer, Software Developer, Cybersecurity Analyst, Application Security Engineer, Network Security Engineer. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? Conclusion As the demand for cybersecurity continues to skyrocket, the scope for ethical hacking is bound to increase. In such a scenario, it is wise to acquire industry-relevant skills such as ethical hacking. By working on ethical hacking projects like the ones mentioned above, you can sharpen your real-world skills and enter the job market as a skilled, ethical hacking expert.  If you want to pursue this profession, upGrad and IIIT-B can help you with a Advanced Certificate Programme in Cyber Security . The course offers specialization in application security, cryptography, data secrecy, and network security. We hope this was helpful!

Today, businesses are dependent on internet and cloud services. We all are aware that the volume of data produced every day increases the risk of cyber-attacks. It is imperative for businesses to look for full-proof and robust data security solutions to ensure critical and confidential data remains safe.  But for that, you have to understand the importance of each data and its worth. This is where data classifications come into the picture. They help in identifying sensitive information and also assign levels of sensitivity to the data. Hence, information classification is mandatory for ensuring information security in any organization. Here, we will learn in detail about data classifications, the ways of classifying data, criteria for classification, and most importantly, the benefits offered.  What is information classification or data classification in information security? Information classification, also known as data classification, is how corporate information is classified into specific significant categories so that critical data remains protected and safe. In a business, vast data volumes are handled every day – invoice records, email lists, customer information, user data, order history, etc. Obviously, all data is not equally important, and some information will need higher protection than the other.  If a piece of information is critical or sensitive, it needs more protection as it is more vulnerable to security threats. It is easier to ascertain which information needs more protection and how data can be classified and labeled with information classification. For instance, files of different departments of an organization should be kept separately. They should be saved in different folders, and only individuals of a particular department should be given access to the files so that they can work with the data. This ensures information security and easy access to the files as and when needed.  Learn Software development courses online from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs, or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses How to classify data or information? If you want to have your business data well organized and want to keep it useful and easily accessible when needed, you cannot do without information classification. Information or data classification might seem to be quite easy and simple initially, but there are multiple layers involved in it. When classifying information of high volume, relevance and variety might turn out to be quite a cumbersome job.  Certain steps make classifying information a little easier.  You have to understand and then analyze the information assets and assign each of them a level of sensitivity.  The first step of data classification is assigning a value to every information asset. The value is assigned depending upon the risk of harm or loss if the information gets disclosed. Based on value, information or data can be sorted as: Confidential information  Confidential information should have the highest levels of security and protection measures. This data or information is labeled confidential by all entities included or impacted by the data.  Classified information Classified information has highly restricted access as per regulation or law. Restricted information Such data and information is made available to almost everyone but not to all employees in the business organization.  Internal information This is probably the most common kind of data or information. This information is intended to be available and accessible by all employees in the organization.  Public Information It is evident from the name of the information that this data is open to the public. Anyone and everyone inside and outside the business organization can have access to this data.  Labeling of each data asset Once the data classification is done depending on its value, a new system is created for data labeling. In a good data classification, the labeling will be easy-to-understand, simple, and consistent.  Handling individual data asset Now that classification and labeling are done, the business organization designs and develops a set of rules so that information remains protected and safe based on classification. Information security is assured with these steps.  Criteria for information or data classification When data classification is done for information security, specific criteria have to be fulfilled, and some conditions have to be kept in mind: Useful life A data is labeled ‘more useful’ when the information is available readily for making changes as and when required. Data might need to be changed from time to time, and when the ‘change’ access is available, it is valuable data.  Value of data This is probably the most essential and standard criteria for information classification. There is some confidential and valuable information of every organization, the loss of which could lead to great losses for the organization while creating organizational issues. Therefore, this data needs to be duly classified and protected.  Personal association It is important to classify information or data associated with particular individuals or addressed by privacy law.  Age The value of information often declines with time. Therefore, if the given data or information comes under such a category, the data classification gets lowered.  Why is data classification important? When you have a well-planned and well-created data classification system in place, it becomes easy to track, retrieve and locate important information and data. Mentioned below are some of the most common reasons why information classification is essential: Rules and Regulations Compliance  Data classification in information security helps firms comply with rules and regulations like the GDPR audits. For classifying data, organizations can easily implement various standards. This is as important as labeling information as confidential or sensitive or protecting data from threats etc.  High-end security The main aim of information classification is none other than protecting sensitive data and information. Depending on the sensitivity and importance of the information, appropriate security measures are suggested so that the information cannot be copied, transmitted, or retrieved. Protection from outside threats can be managed well with various measures, including compliance with data protection standards, data encryption, and data storage in servers with strong firewalls. Insider threats are also not uncommon in the form of accidental data breaches or intentional data theft. Moreover, with information classification, there is heightened security awareness throughout the organization.  Enhanced Efficiency Efficiency in day-to-day activities is enhanced when businesses have their information duly and adequately classified and organized. In case of changes, they can be easily traced. Data can also be retrieved and conveniently located.  Optimizing risks and resources Once data classification is done, there is an obvious improvement in risk and information classification resources. This impacts effective and efficient information security. When data is classified based on the level of business impact and sensitivity, businesses know which data needs more protection and priority. Accordingly, information security budgets can be decided.  Raising awareness regarding cyber threats and cyber risks Specialized information security teams contact business owners directly to discuss information security and how it is important for the business. Discussions are held regarding the management of cyber incidents or risks. Cyber threat awareness and information security management are improved throughout the business organization for overall security.  Conclusion Businesses vary from one another, and accordingly, their data classification needs and techniques are also different. The aim is to choose the best classification system for their data to reduce the chances of cyber attacks and threats. Cybersecurity professionals are being trained duly to offer maximum protection from cyber-attacks and keep data and information safe and secured.  Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? Make a career in cyber security with upGrad Do topics like information security, data classification, cyber attacks, cyber security threats, etc., interest you? If you are answering in the affirmative, you must enroll in upGrad’s Advanced Certificate Program in Cyber Security. The course duration is 7.5 months. With 250+ hours of learning, the course offers high-performance coaching and career mentorship sessions on a one-to-one basis. Upon completing the course, you will have fair knowledge and expertise on data secrecy, application security, network security, cryptography, etc.  So book your seat today and make an exciting career as a cyber security professional.