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