Cybersecurity Event

A Cybersecurity Event is an occurrence in a system or network that may indicate a possible breach of security policies or a threat to the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of digital information or assets. These events could arise from malicious activities, errors, or unexpected changes that warrant attention to evaluate their significance and impact.

Key Features of a Cybersecurity Event:

  1. Types of Events:
    • Malware Infection: Detection of malicious software, such as viruses, worms, ransomware, or trojans.
    • Unauthorized Access Attempts: Instances where someone tries to gain access to systems or data without proper authorization.
    • Phishing Attacks: Attempts to steal sensitive information like usernames, passwords, or financial data through deceptive messages.
    • System Anomalies: Unusual behavior in network traffic, application processes, or system performance.
    • Policy Violations: Actions by users or systems that contravene established cybersecurity rules or guidelines.
    • Data Exfiltration: Suspicious transfers of data that could indicate theft.
  2. Categories:
    • Benign Events: Activities that may initially appear concerning but are confirmed as harmless upon investigation (e.g., misconfigured software or a user error).
    • Incident: If the event indicates an actual or potential compromise, it may escalate to a cybersecurity incident.
  3. Detection:
    Cybersecurity events are often detected by monitoring tools such as:
    • Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
    • Firewalls
    • Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems
    • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions
  4. Response: Once an event is identified, it must be analyzed to determine:
    • If it is malicious or benign.
    • The potential damage or impact.
    • Appropriate actions to mitigate the risks or consequences.

 

In summary, cybersecurity events are indicators of potential risks or irregularities in a system that need monitoring, investigation, and, if necessary, mitigation to protect against cyber threats.