Information Security

Information security is a systematic combination of management practices and technological measures aimed at protecting information from threats such as unauthorized access, modification, disclosure, corruption, and destruction. This concept encompasses measures designed to ensure that only authorized users can access information, that the accuracy of information is maintained, and that information remains accessible whenever needed.

Core Principles

Information security is structured around three fundamental principles: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. These principles form the basis of the structure known in literature as the "CIA Triad." Confidentiality ensures that information is accessible only to authorized individuals or systems. Integrity guarantees the accuracy and completeness of information, while availability ensures that information is accessible when needed.

Each of these principles lies at the center of risk management policies in information technology. For example, the alteration of financial data by cyber attackers constitutes a violation of the integrity principle. Unauthorized access to an organizational database by individuals without proper access rights constitutes a breach of confidentiality.

The international ISO/IEC 27001 standard is also based on these three principles, and this framework is considered essential in the design of information security management systems. According to the standard, organizations are obligated to ensure these principles are upheld.

Conceptual Approaches

Information security has been defined in various dimensions by experts from different disciplines. Generally, it is defined as the protection of information systems and the data they contain against unauthorized access and harmful interventions. This definition encompasses not only technical measures but also managerial, legal, and strategic frameworks.

According to one approach, information security involves assessing risks and implementing appropriate control measures to ensure protection. This approach includes not only technological solutions but also policies, training, and monitoring mechanisms.

An alternative approach views information security as the process of enhancing the resilience of information systems against both internal and external threats. In this context, organizations are required to develop data protection strategies not only against current threats but also against potential attack scenarios.

Supporting Elements

Ensuring information security requires more than just the principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Additional complementary principles are necessary to enhance system security. One such principle is authentication, which verifies that a user is indeed who they claim to be.

Authorization determines which resources an authenticated user is permitted to access. Accountability involves recording which individual performed each action within the system. Non-repudiation prevents users from denying that an action occurred by providing digital proof of its execution. Reliability refers to a system’s ability to operate consistently and as expected. When all these elements are integrated, the scope of information security expands significantly, and the overall security level of systems is enhanced.

Current Threats

Threats to information security are becoming increasingly complex as technology evolves. These threats include various methods such as viruses, worms, ransomware, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and phishing.

Attackers can exploit both known vulnerabilities and previously unidentified zero-day flaws to infiltrate systems. For instance, vulnerabilities such as Shellshock and Winshock contained critical flaws in the core functionality of operating systems and led to widespread security threats.

To effectively manage these threats, a comprehensive approach is required, incorporating intrusion detection systems, patch management, access controls, and incident response plans. Additionally, raising user awareness regarding social engineering and phishing attacks is a vital component of security.

Standards and Implementation Frameworks

Internationally recognized information security management standards enable organizations to systematize their security policies. The ISO/IEC 27001 standard is the most widely recognized reference framework in this field. It encompasses risk analysis, security controls, and continuous improvement processes.

By implementing this standard, organizations document their security policies, systematically analyze security vulnerabilities, and develop audit mechanisms. The ISO/IEC 27001 standard also structures information security awareness training and defines procedures to be followed in the event of security breaches.

This comprehensive framework ensures that information security processes are addressed not only at the technical level but also at the strategic and managerial levels. Such standards are indispensable for public institutions, the healthcare sector, and financial organizations.