| The objective behind the concept of computer | | | | implemented, are going to vary significantly as well. |
| security actually varies quite a bit depending on the use | | | | Implementing computer security may include creating |
| of the computer. Computer security may include the | | | | or utilizing secure operating systems, though much of |
| protection of specific information from corruption or | | | | the science associated with this form of security was |
| theft, for example. In general this can impose specific | | | | developed several decades ago. Security architecture |
| requirements on computers in addition to most | | | | is another option, and involves describing how specific |
| standard system requirements. There are a number of | | | | security countermeasures and controls are positioned |
| different typical approaches that can be taken when it | | | | to protect the information technology. Firewalls are an |
| comes to improving computer security, including the | | | | example of security meant to protect computers from |
| following: | | | | threats that travel via the internet or peer to peer |
| - Physically limiting the access to a computer so that | | | | connections. Chain of trust techniques are techniques |
| computer security will not be compromised by those | | | | that are used to ensure that all software on a |
| who are granted access to use it. | | | | computer is certified as authentic directly from the |
| - Utilizing hardware mechanisms that can create and | | | | designers of the system. Access control is used to |
| impose rules for specific computer programs, allowing | | | | ensure the separation of privileges, ensuring that only |
| computer security to be imposed without requiring | | | | specified people have the right capabilities on a |
| individual programs to implement it. | | | | computer system. |
| - Implementing operating system or OS mechanisms | | | | There are also cryptographic techniques which |
| that are capable of creating and imposing rules that | | | | transform information into something that is meant to |
| avoid having to trust programs on the computer. | | | | be indecipherable by anyone but approved persons. |
| - Implementing programming strategies that allow | | | | Information can also be secured for computer security |
| subversion to be resisted and make computer | | | | purposes using backup files which allow important files |
| programs more dependable. | | | | to be protected by creating copies should they ever |
| In most cases, the computer security devices that are | | | | become corrupted or destroyed. |
| put into place are dependent upon the application uses | | | | Essentially, the primary focus of the computer security |
| the computer is created for. Different computer | | | | field of information technology is to protect the integrity |
| systems require different levels of security, as the | | | | of computers, the data contained within them, and any |
| level of privacy or protection needed is going to vary | | | | information that may require restricted access. Some |
| significantly. Computer systems under government | | | | level of computer security is needed by anyone who |
| control, for example, require a much higher level of | | | | owns a computer, including student computers in a |
| security than computers used by students in a | | | | university setting, computers owned and operated by |
| university setting. The level of required computer | | | | the government, and even the laptop that you use to |
| security, then, along with what forms of security are | | | | check your e-mail at night. |