A Brief History of Cybersecurity

What is Cybersecurity?

According to Cisco, “Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks” (1). Cisco is one of the world’s technology leaders, providing infrastructural support to companies and their teams for over 40 years. Digital attacks are a common way for adversaries to threaten a company’s functionality or the data of clients that they service. Cybersecurity allows service providers of all kinds to mitigate these risks effectively and efficiently. As the tech industry continues to evolve, more protocols are created.

Cybersecurity: In the Beginning

The first iteration of the internet emerged in the 1960s as an intranet. This intranet was called ARPANET. According to the History Computer website, ARPANET is an acronym for “Advanced Research Projects Agency Network” (2). An intranet is a system of files and data that the United States Department of Defense primarily utilizes. ARPANET was only accessible to people working within the network infrastructure utilizing the TCP/IP protocol suite. ARPANET was the precursor to the internet, but researchers quickly realized the potential for unauthorized access and data theft. One of the first examples of security threats was a virus called “Creeper.” Rebecca Bales of History Computer writes, “Creeper was written in 1971 by BBN computer programmer Bob Thomas” (2). As threats emerged, so did prevention methods.

Cybersecurity Begins to Emerge

The term “Cybersecurity” was coined by William Gibson in 1983 in his novel entitled Neuromancer. Three years later (in 1986), the U.S. passed “The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.” Digital criminal activity was new and unregulated, and protocols were necessary to mitigate these threats. Justice.gov states, “As technology and criminal behavior continue to evolve, however, it also remains important that the CFAA be applied consistently by attorneys for the government and that the public better understand how the Department applies the law” (3). In the 1990s, the rise and expansion of the internet also expanded its vulnerabilities. In 1995, the first Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Protocol was developed. According to an article published by the SSL support team, “SSL/TLS uses certificates to establish an encrypted link between a server and a client. This allows sensitive information like credit card details to be transmitted securely over the internet” (4). Ultimately, implementing the usage of encryption offered secure online transactions and communications for businesses.

Cyberattacks That Shaped the Industry: A Wild, Wild Digital West

Cyberattacks became more sophisticated in the early 2000s and 21st century. Estonia experienced a cyberattack, highlighting the need for national-level cybersecurity. On April 26th, two nights of riots and looting erupted after a USSR monument called the “Bronze Soldier” was scheduled to be relocated. This cyberattack evolved from false claims, anger-triggering spam bots, and inciting riots to exacerbate network functions. According to an article written by Damien McGuinness of BBC News, “Cash machines and online banking services were sporadically out of action; government employees were unable to communicate with each other on email; and newspapers and broadcasters suddenly found they couldn't deliver the news” (5). In 2010, Stuxnet was another dangerous example of cyber warfare. Joshua Alvarez of Stanford University writes, “Stuxnet was the name given to a highly complex digital malware that targeted and physically damaged Iran’s clandestine nuclear program from 2007 until its cover was blown in 2010 by computer security researchers” (6). This software controlled physical infrastructure. Although the Bush administration created this malware, President Obama released this malware while simultaneously demanding Iran open itself up to nuclear negotiations. This negatively impacted Iran’s nuclear program.

Mitigating Cyberattacks in a Digital Age

The growing use of IOT devices has introduced new vulnerabilities. Businesses and consumers aim to mitigate security breaches by implementing tools such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), increased use of blockchain, quantum-resistant encryption, AI-driven security systems, and digital tools that utilize system configurations and protocols. Many of these tools can be found in the form of System Information Event Management software (SIEMs), Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), or AI-based IDS systems. Many businesses have begun implementing Zero Trust Architecture, which focuses on continuous verification instead of a perimeter defense. As the threat persists and expands, so do the tools and protocols used to secure systems and data integrity.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity threats and the security systems that prevent and protect sensitive systems, programs, and data will continue to grow. Being proactive will be challenging, but being innovative and perceptive will allow cyber security companies, professionals, and personnel to continue to implement new and creative preventative measures to prevent these threats from destabilizing vital infrastructure. The future of cybersecurity is a promising and essential necessity for digital enterprises that aim to reduce and diminish critical vulnerabilities. Even everyday consumers are implementing antivirus software and firewalls on their personal computers. Cybersecurity entails a broad scope of preventative measures and will only continue to grow. Being proactive instead of reactive will always be a better security posture no matter the size of the risk.

References

Cisco. Cisco Training. What is Cyber Security? https://www.cisco.com/site/us/...

History Computer. The First Computer Virus of Bob Thomas Explained: Everything You Need To Know. Rebecca Bales. https://history-computer.com/t...

U.S. Department of Justice. 9-48.000 - Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. https://www.justice.gov/jm/jm-...

SSL Support Team. What is SSL/TLS: An In-Depth Guide. https://www.ssl.com/article/wh...

Damien McGuinness. How A Cyberattack Transformed Estonia. https://www.bbc.com/news/39655...

Joshua Alvarez. Stanford University. Stuxnet: The World’s First Cyber Weapon. https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu...