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