informationsecurity

Information security is the practice of protecting information assets from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. It covers people, processes, and technology across an organization. A common framework is the CIA triad—confidentiality, integrity, and availability—which guides risk management and controls. Supporting concepts include authentication, authorization, and non-repudiation to verify identity, enforce access rights, and provide traceability.

Information security spans governance, risk management, architecture, operations, and compliance. It is embedded in the information lifecycle—from creation and storage to transmission and disposal—and often relies on defense-in-depth and security-by-design to reduce single points of failure.

Threats include cyberattacks such as malware, ransomware, phishing, and software flaws; insider risk; misconfigurations; supply-chain compromises; and physical security breaches. Vulnerabilities arise from technical weaknesses, human error, and weak third-party controls.

Protective measures combine technical, administrative, and physical controls. Examples include access control, encryption, secure configuration, monitoring, incident response, backups, and disaster recovery. Administrative measures cover policies, training, risk assessments, and separation of duties, while ongoing testing, patching, and audits help detect and correct weaknesses.

Standards and frameworks guide practice. ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002 provide an information security management system framework; NIST SP 800-53 and CIS Controls offer control guidance. Compliance with privacy and data-protection laws shapes programs, while continuous monitoring and improvement address evolving threats.