Module 1 - SLP SOURCES OF SECURITY THREATS: HUMAN, NATURE, AND TECHNOLOGY FACTORS

THREATS TO INFORMATION SECURITY
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Institution
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Introduction to information security
Internet connectivity has increased significantly in the recent years with an estimated 600 million computers connected to the internet as at present (Kharif, 2011). The internet consists of a worldwide network that is loosely connected that can be accessed with different individuals at various destinations through computer hosts. The different users can access the internet sources for information without limits to geographical boundaries. This convenience to information created by the use of internet services comes at a risk. Among the risks and threats include lose of information, or the information could be stolen, manipulated or misused. This mainly happens if the information systems are recorded electronically and made available to the different computer networks globally. This information is even safer when printed down into papers and stored in files in the organization or institution of question. There are three basic concepts of security of information that are to be considered, they include confidentiality of the information, integrity and the availability of the information when required (Kharif, 2011).
Threats to information security
The development of technological aspects has increased connections to the internet through different gadgets. This aspect has brought about creativity in the operations of important organizations. It has increased the cases of cybercriminals that are increasingly being a threat to information systems. One of the treats to information systems is the social media attacks on the information systems (Philip, 2010). With the increase in social media usage, the cybercriminals are using this as a channel to distribute water holing. This is a form of geographical; attacks on the information systems. In this threat, the cybercriminals identify a file or an information source that they believe majority of people will be using it regardless if it's an organizational or company website and infect it. This will thus destroy the information creating a threat.
The introduction of technological aspects with weak security to the field of information security has also posed a threat to the information security. New and advanced technology is being released globally on a daily basis. The new gadgets developed, for instance the smart phones developed in a form of internet connectivity with a not-so-well executed security strategy. Such a security breach creates a risk to the information security. It mainly affects electronic data (Philip, 2010). This is because any time there is a user accessing the internet service, there would be an unsecure connection and when the internet security system is exposed to unsecure co...