3.3 Digital Communication Security

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3.3 Digital Communication Security
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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.

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Network security measures

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

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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.

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Access levels

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

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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.

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Prevention methods

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

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Virus protection

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

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Firewall

• Security software that protects the Intranet from
  unauthorised users.

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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.

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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

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Discussion

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