Cybersecurity Unveiled: A Quick Walkthrough

Introduction

As a new generation filters into the high-tech workplace, many individuals are drawn to the exciting field of cybersecurity. The battle against cybercriminals, coupled with a skills shortage and attractive pay, makes cybersecurity a sought-after career choice. In this dynamic industry, staying relevant is crucial, and a deficiency in skills poses a significant disadvantage. A July 2021 research report emphasizes the necessity for cybersecurity professionals to continually update their skills. The responsibility of acquiring and maintaining relevant skills often falls on the individual, reflecting the competitive nature of the cybersecurity job market.

The Importance of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity’s importance is on the rise. Fundamentally, our society is more technologically reliant than ever before and there is no sign that this trend will slow. Data leaks that could result in identity theft are now publicly posted on social media accounts. Sensitive information like social security numbers, credit card information and bank account details are now stored in cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive.

The fact of the matter is whether you are an individual, small business, or large multinational, you rely on computer systems every day. Pair this with the rise in cloud services, poor cloud service security, smartphones, and the Internet of Things (IoT) and we have a myriad of potential security vulnerabilities that didn’t exist a few decades ago. We need to understand the difference between cybersecurity and information security, even though the skillsets are becoming more similar.

Governments around the world are bringing more attention to cybercrimes. GDPR is a great example. It has increased the reputational damage of data breaches by forcing all organizations that operate in the EU to:

• Communicate data breaches
• Appoint a data protection officer
• Require user consent to process information
• Anonymize data for privacy

The trend toward public disclosure is not limited to Europe. While there are no national laws overseeing data breach disclosure in the United States, there are data breach laws in all 50 states.

Commonalities include:

• The requirement to notify those affected as soon as possible
• Let the government know as soon as possible
• Pay some sort of fine

California was the first state to regulate data breach disclosures in 2003, requiring persons or businesses to notify those affected “without reasonable delay” and “immediately following discovery”. Victims can sue for up to $750 and companies can be fined up to $7,500 per victim.

This has driven standards boards like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to release frameworks to help organizations understand their security risks, improve cybersecurity measures, and prevent cyber attacks.

The Rise of Cybersecurity Technologies:

In response to the escalating threat landscape, cybersecurity technologies have advanced significantly. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are now employed to detect and respond to anomalies in real-time, identifying potential threats before they escalate. Endpoint protection, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems have become standard components of a robust cybersecurity infrastructure.

The Foundation: Programming Skills Computer programming serves as an elementary building block of computer science, forming the foundation of computer security. Whether aspiring to become a SOC analyst, network engineer, malware analyst, threat intelligence expert, or network security architect, proficiency in programming is essential for success. Understanding programming languages unlocks the mysteries of how cyber threats are developed and exploited. This guide explores the ten programming languages most relevant to cybersecurity professionals, providing insights into their importance and applications.

1. Java: Powering the Digital Realm Java, a general-purpose language designed for cross-platform compatibility, plays a crucial role in cybersecurity. Widely used in enterprise desktops and the Android mobile operating system, Java’s prevalence makes it essential for security practitioners. Its structural similarities to C/C++ make it a natural addition for professionals already knowledgeable in these languages.
2. C/C++: The Cornerstones of Cybersecurity Developed in the early 1970s, C and its extension, C++, are foundational languages for cybersecurity professionals. Many devices globally, including those running major operating systems, rely on C/C++. Given their historical popularity, these languages remain in demand, especially for malware development. Their lower-level nature provides direct access to system processes, making them powerful yet challenging to master.
3. Python: Rising Star in Cybersecurity Python, a high-level scripting language, is gaining popularity among both security professionals and hackers. Known for its readability and large community support, Python is versatile, used for developing desktop applications, websites, and web applications. Security teams leverage Python for tasks such as malware analysis, intrusion detection, and automating processes, enhancing efficiency.
4. JavaScript: The Internet’s Double-Edged Sword JavaScript, distinct from Java, is a high-level, object-oriented language widely used on the internet. Most websites utilize JavaScript for interactivity and animation. However, cybercriminals exploit it to collect user data, track browsing habits, and execute sophisticated phishing campaigns. Understanding JavaScript is crucial for cybersecurity professionals focusing on websites and web applications.
5. PHP: Powering Dynamic Websites PHP, a server-side scripting language, is integral to many large-scale websites. Powering over 80% of the web, including platforms like WordPress and social networks like Facebook, PHP’s ease of use makes it vulnerable to attacks. Cybersecurity professionals need to master PHP to identify and address security vulnerabilities, especially in the face of common attacks like DDoS on PHP-based sites.
6. SQL: Managing Databases and Guarding Against Exploits Structured Query Language (SQL) is essential for managing databases. However, SQL injection (SQLi) poses a significant security threat. Cybercriminals manipulate web form inputs to gain unauthorized access, risking exposure of sensitive data. A strong understanding of SQL is crucial for cybersecurity professionals to protect against SQLi attacks, a prevalent threat to web application security.
7. Swift: Safeguarding Apple Ecosystems Developed by Apple Inc., Swift is a compiled programming language designed for various Apple products and operating systems. Given the increasing popularity of mobile devices, especially those in the Apple ecosystem, learning Swift is valuable for cybersecurity practitioners focused on securing iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
8. Ruby: A User-Friendly Option for Cybersecurity Ruby, an interpreted, high-level language, is praised for its ease of use and maintenance of large code projects. Widely used for websites like Airbnb, Hulu, Kickstarter, and Github, Ruby is accessible to beginners. Aspiring cybersecurity professionals can benefit from its user-friendly nature while adding versatility to their skill set.
9. Perl: A Legacy Language with Continued Relevance Originally developed for text manipulation, Perl has evolved into a general-purpose language. Despite its age, Perl remains relevant, especially in legacy systems targeted by cybercriminals. Proficiency in Perl enables cybersecurity professionals to navigate older systems and understand the tools used by sophisticated adversaries.
10. Lisp: Unleashing Power Through Complexity One of the oldest high-level programming languages still in use, Lisp, despite its complexity, offers unparalleled power. While not widely adopted, Lisp is a valuable tool for veteran programmers seeking advanced capabilities. Sophisticated adversaries often deploy complex attack tools developed with legacy languages like Lisp, making it an asset for cybersecurity defenders aiming for comprehensive defense.

Global Collaboration Against Cyber Threats:

• Cyber threats are borderless, necessitating global collaboration.
• Governments, businesses, and cybersecurity experts worldwide should share threat intelligence and best practices.

Why is Cybercrime Increasing?

• Information theft is the most expensive and fastest-growing segment of cybercrime. Largely driven by the increasing exposure of identity information to the web via cloud services.
• But it’s not the only target. Industrial controls that manage power grids and other infrastructure can be disrupted or destroyed. And identity theft isn’t the only goal, cyber attacks may aim to compromise data integrity (destroy or change data) to breed distrust in an organization or government.
• Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, changing what they target, how they affect organizations, and their methods of attack on different security systems.
• According to the Ninth Annual Cost of Cybercrime Study from Accenture and the Ponemon Institute, the average cost of cybercrime for an organization has increased by $1.4 million over the last year to $13.0 million and the average number of data breaches rose by 11 percent to 145. Information risk management has never been more important.

• Data breaches can involve financial information like credit card numbers or bank account details, protected health information (PHI), personally identifiable information (PII), trade secrets, intellectual property, and other targets of industrial espionage. Other terms for data breaches include unintentional information disclosure, data leak, cloud leak, information leakage, or a data spill.

Other factors driving the growth in cybercrime include:

The distributed nature of the Internet
The ability of cybercriminals to attack targets outside their jurisdiction makes policing extremely difficult
Increasing profitability and ease of commerce on the dark web
The proliferation of mobile devices and the Internet of Things.

What is the Impact of Cybercrime?

There are many factors that contribute to the cost of cybercrime. Each of these factors can be attributed to a poor focus on best cybersecurity practices.

A lack of focus on cybersecurity can damage your business in a range of ways including:

Economic Costs

‍Theft of intellectual property, corporate information, disruption in trading, and the cost of repairing damaged systems

Reputational Cost

Loss of consumer trust, loss of current and future customers to competitors, and poor media coverage

Regulatory Costs

‍GDPR and other data breach laws mean that your organization could suffer from regulatory fines or sanctions as a result of cybercrimes.

All businesses, regardless of the size, must ensure all staff understand cybersecurity threats and how to mitigate them. This should include regular training and a framework to work with that aims to reduce the risk of data leaks or data breaches.

Given the nature of cybercrime and how difficult it can be to detect, it is difficult to understand the direct and indirect costs of many security breaches. This doesn’t mean the reputational damage of even a small data breach or other security event is not large. If anything, consumers expect increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity measures as time goes on.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity stands as the bulwark against a barrage of sophisticated threats. From individual users to multinational corporations, the responsibility to protect digital assets rests on the shoulders of all stakeholders. By embracing advanced technologies, fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, and collaborating on a global scale, we can fortify our defenses and navigate the complex terrain of the digital age securely.

Coding is not just a skill; it’s a strategic advantage. A successful cybersecurity practitioner must understand the tools of hackers, think like one, and anticipate their strategies. This guide emphasizes the importance of programming languages in various cybersecurity roles and provides insights into the most relevant languages. Choosing the right language depends on the specific role, collaboration with peers, and understanding the tools used by adversaries. As the demand for skilled cybersecurity coders continues to rise, those with a combination of coding expertise and cybersecurity knowledge will be well-equipped for rewarding careers in this dynamic field.