Defending systems and networks against digi aspects of cyber security:
tal attacks aimed at gaining access to, altering, or destroying digital information is what we mean by “cybersecurity.” As our reliance on technology and data grows, we must beef up our security measures to guard against unauthorized access to and misuse of our personal and financial information. Viruses, Trojans, Rootkits, and other malware can be used to carry out cyberattacks. Attacks like phishing, man in the middle (MITM), distributed denial of service (DDoS), SQL injection, and ransomware are common forms of cybercrime.
The following are some of the most important
- Checksums in the cryptographic sense.
- Codes for data archiving and rectification.
- Analyze the threats and risks.
- Measures should be taken to reduce the risk of systems becoming vulnerable.
- Acquiring knowledge of malicious software
- Control of access.
- Authentication.
- Encryption.
- Putting in place firewalls.
- Systems that detect and prevent intrusions (IDS and IPS).
A well-positioned company can be brought to its knees by a successful cyber-attack. As well as causing significant financial losses, a data breach can also hurt a company’s reputation.
What Is Blockchain?
Blockchain began as the technology that underpins Bitcoin, but it has since evolved into a promising cybersecurity mitigation technology.
This type of database is referred to as a “chained database.” It is possible to use a blockchain in a centralized or decentralized way. Decentralized blockchains are not owned by a single entity but by all users. As an example, let’s look at Bitcoin.
Many computers, known as nodes, are connected to the Bitcoin network and run by individuals or groups of people worldwide. Immutable blockchains are the result of decentralization. Put another way; this means that data transfers cannot be undone. The decentralized nature of blockchain technology makes it ideal for cybersecurity.
Data integrity, automation, and transparency are all enabled by blockchain technology. Using blockchain technology to improve cybersecurity is an interesting topic to discuss.
Features of the Blockchain:
- Distributed shared ledger
- Records that cannot be changed.
- Mechanisms for decentralized agreement.
- Contracts that are controlled by software.
- A pair of cryptographic keys.
- Authentication and authorization.
- Enhanced safety and security measures have been implemented.
- A peer-to-peer network.
- Transaction traceability and openness.
- There is no need for a central authority or a trusted third party.
Statistics and Trends in Cybersecurity
The amount of data we generate is increasing at an exponential rate with each passing day. Hackers are developing new techniques and more sound technology to commit cybercrime even as we develop sophisticated technologies to ensure security. All of this has culminated in the following damning statistics and trends in cybersecurity:
- Human error is to blame for 95% of all data breaches.
- Data leaks made over 35 billion records vulnerable in the first half of 2020.
- Hacking, phishing, and malware made up 45 percent of all data breaches that were reported.
- Email is the most common method for distributing malware.
- Every day, more than 200,000 new malware samples are created. We anticipate that this number will continue to rise over time.
- A week or more was required by 34% of businesses hit by malware to regain access to their data.
- By 2021, it is estimated that the annual cost of cybercrime-related damage will be $6 trillion.
- Ransomware costs businesses an estimated $75 billion a year.
- Fake invoices are the most common disguise for the distribution of malicious software.
- By 2023, the United States will be the scene of half of all global data breaches.
Cyber-Attacks in the Future
Hackers will have more opportunities to expose security flaws as the rollout of 5G networks increases download speeds. Increased cybercrime is a direct result of faster download speeds.
In 2021, there are expected to be 13.8 billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices worldwide. Businesses are coming up with a wide range of IoT applications, from wearables to smart homes, because there is a large commercial appetite for IoT. Miscreants may be able to exploit security holes.
This is where blockchain technology enters the equation.
Cybersecurity Blockchain Use Cases
Even though blockchain isn’t completely secure, it’s evolved into one of the most foolproof ways to conduct digital transactions. The technology’s ability to guarantee data integrity, as intended, has been lauded. A wide range of industries can benefit if it is properly utilized.
Due to its broad applicability, blockchain can be implemented in a wide variety of contexts. Integrity assurance can be used to build cybersecurity solutions for a wide range of technologies. Here are a few examples of how blockchain can be used to improve cybersecurity:
1. Securing Private Messaging
As the internet has made the world a smaller place, more and more people sign up for social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. There is also an increase in social media platforms available to users today. As the popularity of conversational commerce grows, more social apps are being launched every day. During these interactions, massive amounts of metadata are gathered. Most social media platform users use weak and unreliable passwords to protect their accounts and personal information.
As an alternative to the end-to-end encryption they currently use, most messaging services are warming up to the idea of using blockchain to secure user data. It is possible to use blockchain to create a standard security protocol. A unified API framework built on blockchain can be used to enable cross-messenger communication.
There have been a slew of attacks on Twitter and Facebook in the last few months. More than one million user accounts were compromised, and their data in these attacks. Blockchain technologies may need to be properly implemented in these messaging systems to prevent such future cyberattacks.
2. IoT Security
It has become more common for hackers to gain access to entire systems through edge devices like thermostats and routers. Using edge devices like “smart” switches and the current AI craze, hackers can now more easily access larger systems like home automation. The security of many of these IoT devices is iffy at best.
Decentralizing the administration of such large systems or devices is a feasible use case for blockchain. The device will be able to make its own security decisions due to this approach. Detecting and responding to suspicious commands from unknown networks is easier for edge devices when they are not reliant on a centralized administrator or authority.
Typically, hackers gain access to a device’s central administration and take control of all of the devices and systems connected to it. The decentralization of such device authority systems ensures that such attacks are more difficult to carry out because of the blockchain (if even possible).
3. Securing DNS and DDoS
In a DDoS attack, users of a target resource, such as a network resource, server, or website, are prevented from accessing or using the target resource. These attacks disrupt or slow down the system’s ability to process resources.
On the other hand, a well-functioning Domain Name System (DNS) makes it easy for hackers to exploit the connection between an IP address and the name of a website, making it an attractive target. Attacks like this one make a website unavailable, uncashable, and even redirectable to other scam websites.
By decentralizing the DNS entries, blockchain can help reduce such attacks. Blockchain’s decentralized solutions would have eliminated the single points of vulnerability that hackers exploit.
4. Decentralizing Medium Storage
Businesses are increasingly concerned about data hacks and theft, so decentralizing medium storage is becoming increasingly important. The majority of companies still prefer to store their data in a central location. A hacker can gain access to all data stored in these systems by exploiting only one vulnerability. As a result of such an attack, a criminal gains access to sensitive and confidential information, such as company financial records.
Sensitive data can be safeguarded by ensuring a decentralized form of data storage with blockchain. Hackers would find it much more difficult, if not impossible, to gain access to data storage systems using this mitigation strategy. Many data storage service providers are looking into how blockchain can keep their customers’ information safe from hackers. If you’re looking for an organization that has already adopted blockchain technology, look no further than Apollo Currency Team (The Apollo Data Cloud).
5. The Provenance of Computer Software
To prevent foreign intrusion, blockchain can be used to verify the origin of computer software downloads. Blockchain can be used to verify activities such as firmware updates, installers, and patches to prevent malicious software from entering computers. New software identities are compared to MD5-encrypted versions of their products on vendor websites. The hashes on the provider’s platform may already be compromised, so this method is not completely foolproof.
Since the hashes are permanently stored in a blockchain, blockchain technology has a major advantage. Blockchain may be more efficient in verifying software integrity by comparing it to the hashes on the blockchain because the information recorded in the technology is not mutable or changeable.
6. Cyber-Physical Infrastructure Verification
Data tampering, system misconfiguration, cyber-physical systems have been compromised by data tampering and component failure. But the integrity and verification capabilities of blockchain technology can be used to authenticate any cyber-physical infrastructure. The information generated on infrastructure components through blockchain can be more trustworthy in the chain of custody.
7. Protecting Data Transmission
Data transmission security can be improved with the implementation of blockchain technology. Data transmission can be secured to prevent malicious actors, be they individuals or organizations, from accessing it by utilizing the technology’s complete encryption feature. This approach would result in an increase in trust and integrity in blockchain data. Hackers with malicious intent intercept data in transit and use it to alter or remove it entirely from the world. There is an enormous gap in the communication channels that are inefficient, such as email.
8. Decrease Human Security Cyber-attack-induced adversity
We’ve recently seen the introduction of unmanned military equipment and public transportation due to new technological advancements. The internet allows sensors to communicate with remote-control databases to make these autonomous vehicles and weapons a reality. Car Area Network (CAN) and other networks have been targeted by hackers in recent years (CAN). These networks give hackers complete control over critical automotive functions if they are tapped into. Things like this could endanger the lives of innocent people. However, many problems could be avoided by verifying all data that enters and exits these systems on the blockchain.
Conclusion
The decentralization of blockchain technology is its most important feature, regardless of its use. This feature eliminates the single point of vulnerability. Thus, infiltrating systems or sites whose access control, data archiving/storage, and network traffic are no longer located in a single location becomes impossible. Because of this, blockchain could be an effective strategy for mitigating cyber threats shortly. However, like any other new technology, blockchain faces many startup challenges as it undergoes an arduous growth process.