What is Cybersecurity and How Does it Differ from Information Security? A Simple Explanation of Related Laws
With the increase in cyber attacks, the thorough implementation of cybersecurity measures is gaining attention. However, many people are unsure of what to do specifically when it comes to cybersecurity.
This article explains the overview of cybersecurity, its differences from information security, related laws, and appropriate countermeasures.
Table of Contents
- Cybersecurity
- Role of Cybersecurity
- Differences from Information Security
- Cybersecurity Basic Act
- Overview of the Cybersecurity Basic Act
- Revisions to the Cybersecurity Basic Act
- Risks of Neglecting Cybersecurity Measures
- Leakage of Confidential Information
- Ransom Demands
- Business Interruption
- Main Cybersecurity Measures Implemented by Companies
- Basic Anti-Virus Software Installation
- Switching to Tools with Superior Security Capabilities
- Security Education for Employees
- Concerns When Implementing Cybersecurity Measures
- Summary
1. What is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity refers to all efforts to protect data and systems held by a company from external threats.
1-1. Role of Cybersecurity
In recent years, with the permeation of DX, the digitization of operations and information has progressed rapidly. Digitization of operations and information is very effective in improving productivity and reducing costs, but it is also necessary to take measures to protect them.
A while ago, it was not uncommon to see cash and certificates kept in a safe, and even now, important paper documents and title deeds are stored in a secure environment. The same can be said for digital data, and it is important to take care that it is not stolen by third parties or unintentionally leaked to the outside, even if it does not take a physical form.
1-2. Differences from Information Security
One term similar to cybersecurity is information security. Information security is a term that promotes the safe storage and availability of information itself, regardless of whether the information is analog or digital. Cybersecurity, on the other hand, mainly refers to security measures for digital data.
In the case of cybersecurity, it is important not only to create an environment that can prevent information leakage, but also to pay attention to cyber attacks themselves and consider countermeasures.
When considering the preservation and protection of digital data from threats, the practice of cybersecurity will be important.
2. About the Cybersecurity Basic Act
The Cybersecurity Basic Act, which was enacted in 2014 and implemented in 2015, played a major role in promoting full-scale cybersecurity measures in Japan.
2-1. Overview of the Cybersecurity Basic Act
The Cybersecurity Basic Act is a law that summarizes government and the private sector working together on cybersecurity, based on ensuring the free flow of information.
It is a meaningful law not only to avoid damage caused by cyber attacks becoming serious in Japan, but also to deepen awareness of IT and promote more active use of IT.
2-2. About Revisions to the Cybersecurity Basic Act
The Cybersecurity Basic Act is also characterized by the fact that it was revised in 2018. The Cybersecurity Council was launched with the enforcement of 2019 in order to further strengthen public-private cooperation.
This is a revision to strengthen the rapid response to the increasing number of Internet terrorisms in the world, and 事務事項 has been newly added to facilitate the sharing of information both domestically and internationally.
3. Risks of Neglecting Cybersecurity Measures
What specific risks are there if companies neglect cybersecurity measures? Here are the main risks.
3-1. Leakage of Confidential Information
- One of the main risks of neglecting cybersecurity is the leakage of confidential information. Due to unauthorized access and malware attacks, third parties infiltrate the company’s database, and cases of data theft are occurring frequently around the world.
It is not uncommon for the personal information of employees and customers to be leaked to the outside, or for information on new products that have not been released to the world to be leaked through this route.
3-2. Ransom Demands
In addition to simply leaking data to the outside, there may be threats to pay a ransom if you want them to stop leaking or deleting the data. This is due to a malicious program called ransomware, which can mix malware into the target PC and make the system unusable by the user.
In the past, there were pranks and rebellions against large companies, but recently, attention must be paid to the fact that ransomware attacks are being carried out not only against large companies, but also against small and medium-sized companies, and the targets of attacks are becoming more familiar. You may be asked for a ransom of several million to tens of millions of yen, resulting in enormous damage.
3-3. Business Interruption
Companies that have actually been subjected to cyber attacks must deal with the attacks, or the system may be stopped by the attack, making it impossible to carry out normal operations.
If business is suspended, it will cause a great deal of inconvenience to surrounding companies and employees, so some people would even consider resuming normal business operations even if they had to pay a ransom.
4. Main Cybersecurity Measures Implemented by Companies
What specific measures are companies required to take when promoting cybersecurity measures? Here are the main countermeasures, picked up and explained.
4-1. Basic Anti-Virus Software Installation
If you are aiming to realize cybersecurity, it is best to start by introducing or reviewing basic anti-virus software. While cyber attacks are becoming more complex, classic attack methods are still common, and priority should be given to measures to avoid these.
Anti-virus software is said to be effective only against existing attacks, but it is an excellent tool that can reduce the risk of attacks with basic measures.
4-2. Switching to Tools with Superior Security Capabilities
The trigger for a cyber attack is often a suspicious email that arrives in your mailbox.
In order to avoid such emails, the fundamental prevention measure is not to use email in the first place. In recent years, there are multiple high-quality communication tools online other than email, such as chat tools and web conferencing tools. If you can master these, you can receive or avoid suspicious emails.
This is a mechanism to avoid cyber attacks by reducing contact with suspicious emails in the first place.
4-3. Security Education for Employees
In strengthening cybersecurity, it is also necessary to expand education for employees. By widely sharing information on what happens if security measures are neglected and what to do to implement countermeasures, it will help prevent human errors.
5. Concerns When Implementing Cybersecurity Measures
Cybersecurity measures are essential for companies, but the concern is the increase in costs associated with system implementation.
There is a limit to providing cybersecurity for free, and a high level of security environment requires a corresponding cost. It is best to start by expanding little by little from what you can do within your company’s budget.
Summary
This article has explained what cybersecurity is and what specific measures are effective.
Cybersecurity has become an increasingly important measure in recent years as digitization has progressed. Although implementation costs money, it is important to secure a certain budget as a necessary expense and work on it.
First, understand the current state of security measures and consider what measures are necessary.
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