What Is Cybersecurity?

Security Everywhere

Cybersecurity comprises a set of technologies and practices that ensure the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of information percolating through digital systems, networks, devices, and sensors. This rough definition of cybersecurity is already insufficient because digital technologies are themselves rapidly evolving, reshaping human experience and understanding, and generating complexity and effects that extend beyond what humans can reasonably know or manage.

Our lives are now shaped at all levels by digital technologies: from fundamental critical infrastructure to prosaic crib-side monitors and coffee makers. The use and abuse of algorithms in turn shape what we know to be true about the distribution of power, resources, and even the coherence of our social fabric.

These dynamics make cybersecurity one of the most professionally important and intellectually interesting domains—a true, twenty-first century master problem.

The evolving and expanding concept of cybersecurity is swiftly and significantly morphing into “security.” Cybersecurity is ubiquitous and is now becoming synonymous with the broader concept of security.

Technology and Humans

At the turn of the 21st century, scholars and practitioners considered cybersecurity to be a difficult but bounded technical problem. Cybersecurity was an effort to secure computers and networks against malicious activities aimed at stealing data or money or at compromising national security.

Cyberattacks evolved from computers and networks to social engineering techniques and from there to hacks of personal identities and manipulation of objects and systems in the physical world. Today, the practice of cybersecurity includes technologies, processes, and policies; cybersecurity experts are called upon to protect users in many contexts beyond the screen. For cybersecurity professionals, human behaviors are as important as technical safeguards.

Why Pursue Cybersecurity?

As the threat landscape continues to evolve and hackers find more ways to compromise data, the potential risk for any company to experience a breach in the future is high. The increased complexity of the threat landscape means that organizations must employ more comprehensive information security strategies and solutions to protect business continuity and customer information. 

To combat the threat landscape, organizations are hiring cybersecurity professionals who can protect their information and prevent future breaches from happening. These skilled professionals have the opportunity to benefit from:

Versatile Fields

Join a career that’s prevalent in almost every industry and field.

Innovative Work

Stay at the forefront of the digital landscape as it continues to change.

Career Progression

Look forward to progressing into more advanced, specialized positions.

Cybersecurity professionals are trained to protect a company’s financial information and intellectual property, fight online fraud, create hack-proof client records, and more. They can hold a range of jobs, including:

  • Cybersecurity engineer
  • Information security analyst
  • Cybersecurity consultant
  • Computer network architect

Protecting consumer data is an important responsibility, so many companies are willing to pay top salaries to hire experienced cybersecurity professionals.

Cybersecurity at Berkeley

We designed the Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS) program from the ground up to meet this emerging set of cybersecurity challenges. Through small, live classes and project-based experiential learning, students have the opportunity to apply skills and knowledge to real world technical and social problems. We believe the next generation of cybersecurity professionals will need technical capabilities and a deep contextual understanding of how digital insecurities shape societies, organizations, and individuals.

Cybersecurity professionals can make the greatest impact at the intersection of these domains. The UC Berkeley School of Information also sits intellectually at this intersection. We are teachers, researchers, and practitioners who bring together the ethical, social, political, economic, legal, and technical components of cybersecurity, so we can equip graduates to become leaders in the field, whether they wish to lead in the private, public, or philanthropic sector.

There is no silver bullet for addressing cybersecurity challenges. No static set of capabilities will ensure the career success of a cybersecurity professional. Our program is designed to develop students’ capacity to master the concepts, skills, toolsets, and insights needed to fuel a long and dynamic cybersecurity career.

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FAQs about Cybersecurity

  • Cybersecurity is the practice of defending all digital assets–from computers and servers to networks and data–against malicious attacks. It is an ongoing effort to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, protecting it from theft, damage, and unauthorized access.

  • The core pillars of cybersecurity are known as the CIA triad, which stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability.

    • Confidentiality: Keeping data private and accessible only to authorized users.
    • Integrity: Ensuring data remains accurate, complete, and untampered with.
    • Availability: Guaranteeing that systems and information are accessible whenever needed.

  • The main goal of cybersecurity is to protect critical information and systems from harm. It is about proactively preventing, detecting, and responding to cyber threats to ensure that digital assets are secure and that an organization can continue to operate without disruption.

  • Studying cybersecurity is about preparing for a dynamic, in-demand career by learning to safeguard digital infrastructure and anticipate threats. A cybersecurity education teaches you how to protect sensitive data, secure networks, and develop a hacker’s mindset to build stronger defenses against sophisticated cyberattacks.

  • Yes, cybersecurity is a specialized, highly critical discipline within the broader field of IT. While IT professionals manage the technology infrastructure, cybersecurity experts focus exclusively on protecting that infrastructure. Think of IT as the system’s “builders and operators,” while cybersecurity professionals are the “security architects and guards.”

  • Cybersecurity is more about a mindset of continuous learning than it is about being inherently “hard.” The field is challenging because it requires staying current with new threats and technologies. However, there are many accessible entry points and specializations, so you can build on foundational knowledge and progress at your own pace.

  • Cyberattacks use various methods, including malware (like viruses and ransomware) to damage systems, and phishing to trick people into revealing information. Other common attacks are denial-of-service (DoS) attacks that disrupt services, and SQL injections which are used to steal data from databases.

  • The job outlook for cybersecurity is extremely positive. Demand for professionals in this field is growing much faster than average due to the increasing number of cyberattacks. This has created a critical shortage of qualified workers, making it a highly in-demand and stable career path.

  • A career in cybersecurity requires both technical and soft skills. Key technical skills include a solid understanding of network security, knowledge of operating systems, and proficiency in programming languages like Python. Essential soft skills include problem-solving, analytical thinking, and strong communication.

  • Cybersecurity programs address ethical implications by teaching students about the responsible use of their skills, the importance of privacy, and legal compliance. The field also constantly evolves to counter new threats. This includes studying emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, to understand how they can be used by both attackers and defenders, ensuring professionals are prepared for future challenges.

  • Stay current in cybersecurity by following reliable industry publications that track new threats and technologies. Conferences and webinars provide expert insights and networking opportunities. Engaging with professional communities and reviewing official alerts from government agencies also ensures you have timely and actionable information.

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