3.3 Digital Communication Security

Overview

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic network security measures, e.g. passwords, access levels, encryption.

Identify the measures which can be taken to protect information systems from misuse: virus protection, firewalls, backing up data on an LAN and a stand-alone computer.

Identify the characteristics of a secure password.

Network security measures

• Passwords and user names• Access levels and access rights• Encryption

Passwords and user names

• A password is unique to a person.• A user name is a name used to gain access to

a computer system.

Access levels

The level to which someone can gain access to different parts/areas of a computer system.

Encryption

This is the process of transforming information using an algorithm (called cipher) to make it unreadable to anyone except those possessing special knowledge, usually referred to as a key.

Prevention methods

• Virus protection• Firewalls• Backing up data on an LAN and a stand- alone

computer

Virus protection

• Use anti-virus software• Regularly update the anti-virus software• Do not use software from unknown sources

Firewall

• Security software that protects the Intranet from unauthorised users.

Backing up data

• Taking a second copy of the data so that if the original copy gets corrupted then the backup is still available.

• Normally backup onto either hard disk or removable storage.

Characteristics of a secure password• Make it long• Make it something not easily guessed• Make it a mix of letter and numbers• Make it a mix of capitals and non capitals• Make sure it is not written down anywhere

Discussion

What systems are in place in your school and with you to ensure your data is kept safe?