Free demo · Information Security · Lesson 1 · Phase 1 · Principles

What is information security?

Information security protects the information that matters to you, your money, your marks, your photos, your chats, from people who should not see it, change it or take it away. Three words sum it up:

C
ConfidentialityOnly the right people can see the information: your bank balance, your exam marks, your private chats.
I
IntegrityThe information is correct and unchanged: nobody edits your marksheet, your invoice or your message on the way.
A
AvailabilityThe information and the system are there when you need them: the ATM works, the hospital records open, your files are not locked.
  1. 1An asset is anything worth protecting: data, devices, accounts, money, reputation.
  2. 2Threat + vulnerability = risk. A scammer (threat) and a reused password (vulnerability) together put your account at risk.
  3. ✓Controls reduce the risk: strong unique passwords, two-factor authentication, updates, backups, and the habit of pausing before you click.
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  10. Enrol

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About this lesson

Information security (infosec) is the practice of protecting information and the systems that hold it from unauthorised access, change and disruption. The classic model is the CIA triad: confidentiality (only authorised people can read the data), integrity (the data is accurate and has not been tampered with) and availability (the data and services are there when needed). Security work means identifying your assets, the threats to them and the vulnerabilities an attacker could use, then adding controls such as passwords, two-factor authentication, software updates and backups to bring the risk down. This free demo opens the three-phase Information Security Basics course from MAVI Foundation, Kolkata.

Key points

  • The CIA triad: confidentiality, integrity, availability
  • Assets, threats, vulnerabilities and risk
  • Controls that reduce risk in daily life