Computer security

Computer security (also cybersecurity, digital security, or information technology (IT) security) is a subdiscipline within the field of <a href="/facts/Information_security/horlrCln">information security</a>. It consists of the protection of <a href="/facts/Computer_software/RP79lVSW">computer software</a>, <a href="/facts/System/hmqQ4ASX">systems</a> and <a href="/facts/Computer_network/3w5RM99p">networks</a> from <a href="/facts/Threat_(security)/5RHTbSac">threats</a> that can lead to unauthorized information disclosure, theft or damage to <a href="/facts/Computer_hardware/8jSjsCNv">hardware</a>, <a href="/facts/Software/RP79lVSW">software</a>, or <a href="/facts/Data_(computing)/cPjfFHph">data</a>, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the <a href="/facts/Service_(economics)/B7L4tR8r">services</a> they provide.
The significance of the field stems from the expanded reliance on <a href="/facts/Computer_systems/SQe1aK05">computer systems</a>, the <a href="/facts/Internet/Xw1rVvJU">Internet</a>, and <a href="/facts/Wireless_network_standards/4eV5QdBR">wireless network standards</a>. Its importance is further amplified by the growth of <a href="/facts/Smart_device/cnm7E5Vh">smart devices</a>, including <a href="/facts/Smartphone/cSIrBMWG">smartphones</a>, <a href="/facts/Television/X4YG5nT1">televisions</a>, and the various devices that constitute the <a href="/facts/Internet_of_things/rwwGAxn3">Internet of things</a> (IoT). Cybersecurity has emerged as one of the most significant new challenges facing the contemporary world, due to both the complexity of <a href="/facts/Information_systems/apcSzFLh">information systems</a> and the societies they support. Security is particularly crucial for systems that govern large-scale systems with far-reaching physical effects, such as <a href="/facts/Electric_power_distribution/F5NfTeWP">power distribution</a>, <a href="/facts/Election_security/eywuIRob">elections</a>, and <a href="/facts/Finance/fLh1GgN8">finance</a>.
Although many aspects of computer security involve digital security, such as electronic <a href="/facts/Passwords/WEoul230">passwords</a> and <a href="/facts/Encryption/16q29Fdv">encryption</a>, <a href="/facts/Physical_security/zMmzXW4w">physical security</a> measures such as <a href="/facts/Lock_and_key/5xcFqSyy">metal locks</a> are still used to prevent unauthorized tampering. IT security is not a perfect subset of <a href="/facts/Information_security/horlrCln">information security</a>, therefore does not completely align into the <a href="/facts/Security_convergence/ISKoERIq">security convergence</a> schema.

Computer security open-in-new

Computer security