Information security is the practice of protecting information by mitigating information risks. It is part of information risk management. It also involves actions intended to reduce the adverse impacts of such incidents. Protected information may take any form, e. To standardize this discipline, academics and professionals collaborate to offer guidance, policies, and industry standards on passwords , antivirus software , firewalls , encryption software , legal liability , security awareness and training, and so forth.
While paper-based business operations are still prevalent, requiring their own set of information security practices, enterprise digital initiatives are increasingly being emphasized, [ 9 ] [ 10 ] with information assurance now typically being dealt with by information technology IT security specialists.
These specialists apply information security to technology most often some form of computer system. There are many specialist roles in Information Security including securing networks and allied infrastructure , securing applications and databases , security testing , information systems auditing , business continuity planning , electronic record discovery, and digital forensics.
Information security standards are techniques generally outlined in published materials that attempt to protect the information of a user or organization. The principal objective is to reduce the risks, including preventing or mitigating attacks. These published materials consist of tools, policies, security concepts, security safeguards, guidelines, risk management approaches, actions, training, best practices, assurance and technologies.
Information security threats come in many different forms. The theft of intellectual property has also been an extensive issue for many businesses. Governments , military , corporations , financial institutions , hospitals , non-profit organisations, and private businesses amass a great deal of confidential information about their employees, customers, products, research, and financial status.
