Information Security in the Digital Age

In today's Digital Age people are becoming more reliant on digital technology for everyday functions. People interact with databases frequently without realizing it, the final product the 'consumer' sees is hardly a string of data. Databases store one's Facebook, bank account information, emails, and medical records; there's plenty of sensitive information out there. How can information remain readily available, but remain secure?

Database software and technology has improved frequently over the years. Information used to be very insecure; there have been many exploits that hackers have used to gain access to protected information. With each intrusion, developers became more aware, and made security measures to protect data. One of the most commonly used protections is "https" or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. HTTPS allows for encryption with SSL(Secure Sockets Layer) technology. Encryption is the most secure way to maintain the integrity of data. When data is encrypted, only the user with the correct "key" can decipher and access the information. Digital Encryption technology has improved steadily, and it is virtually impossible to crack.

Even with modern security measures the best systems are compromised. How are hackers still able to do this? Sometimes the weakest element in a secure system is a human. Whether it be an easy password, or a careless mistake, people sometimes give hackers just enough information for them to compromise a system. In this age, where any personal information can be stolen and used against you, one must maintain a strong security ethic to protect themselves. Lengthy, hard to guess passwords are a first defense. Also, one has to be careful where their personal information is used. For example, ordering a product on an unfamiliar website could expose a bank card to a hacker. Being conscious of digital security can prevent many headaches down the line.