In 2021, hackers shut down the Colonial Pipeline, cutting fuel supplies to the U.S. East Coast. Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from digital attacks. It includes prevention, detection, and response. The attackers are criminals, spies, and sometimes governments.

Common threats include malware, phishing, ransomware, and denial-of-service attacks. Attackers look for weak passwords, unpatched software, and human error. A single clicked link can compromise an entire network. Defenders use firewalls, encryption, multi-factor authentication, and employee training.

Core areas

• Network security: protecting data in transit
• Application security: hardening software against exploits
• Information security: protecting data at rest
• Operational security: policies and procedures
• Incident response: handling breaches when they happen

Security is a process, not a product. New vulnerabilities appear daily. Patching, monitoring, and training never stop. The weakest link is usually the human, not the machine.