Definition of security in info. sys Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Definition of security in info. sys - Essay Example A very important aspect of such information systems is the ability to protect the data and information obtained from unauthorized access, exploitation, addition, deletion, or modification. This is called as security of information system. Increased interconnectivity amongst various information systems has raised new issues and threats for the security of information systems. However it is based on some core principles. First of these is Confidentiality. It refers to protecting personal privacy, and proprietary information from unauthorized access, and disclosure. If sensitive information such as Card Number No., SSN No., company strategy, transactions data for the company, passwords etc. leaks to unauthorized people, it may lead to large level of misuse by the thief. Second core principle is Integrity which refers to preventing unauthorized information modification (addition, editing, and deletion). The integrity of data and information in an information system may suffer because in many cases like attack of virus/worms, hacking of websites, an employee being able to change sensitive corporate information etc. Another important principle of Information system is to make it reliably and timely accessible to correct users. This aspect of the IS is called availability. This also includes preventing a website from Denial-of-Service Attacks. Information system professionals have to protect their corporate IS from various threats. The first kind of threat that can harm the security of IS is hacking, which refers to obsessive or unauthorized use of company computer and network resources. Often employees or outside people make unauthorized use of network, and make fraudulent transactions. This is called as cyber theft. Employees may also use corporate computer and networks for purposes such as e-mail abuses, pornography, and moonlighting. This unauthorized use at work is called time and resource theft. Apart from these,