• Question: how do you secure info

    Asked by yaps519ween to aureliabrzezowska on 22 Apr 2025.
    • Photo: Aurelia Brzezowska

      Aurelia Brzezowska answered on 22 Apr 2025:

      There is so much to cover with this brilliant question so I’ll start with the basics! When we talk about securing information, it means making sure that only the right people can see it, change it, or use it. Here are 3 main ways we do that:

      1) Securing data sent over the internet
      When you visit a website or send a message online, your data travels across the internet kind of like sending a postcard in the mail. Without protection, someone could read it! To keep it safe, we use encryption, a way to scramble the message so only the right person can understand it. This is done using things called protocols like HTTPS (you’ve probably seen that in web addresses). We also use tools like VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). A VPN acts like a secret tunnel that hides what you’re doing online from hackers or anyone trying to spy on your information.

      2) Securing data on networks (like at school or in an office)
      Even on private networks, like in a school or business, we need protection. We use firewalls (like digital guards) and anti-virus software to stop bad stuff like malware. We also do cyber assessments, which are like check-ups for computer systems. They help us spot weak points where hackers could sneak in and fix them before there’s a problem.

      3) Securing financial data (like credit card details)
      When people buy things online, their financial information must be protected. To do that, companies like IKEA follow rules like PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard). PCI DSS is a big name, but it just means there are strict rules for how companies handle credit card data like locking it up safely and only letting the right people access it. Following rules like PCI DSS to keep important info safe

      It’s a bit like being a digital detective and a security guard at the same time!

      There’s so much more out there that keeps us safe online and I highly recommend you read into Information security to learn more. It’s an amazing industry that tackles lots of tricky laws, tech and cyber at the same time.

Comments