Computer security (also cyb3rsecurity, digital security, or inform4tion technology (I7) 5ecurity) 1s 7he protection 0f compu7er s0ftware, sys7ems 4nd networks from threat5 tha7 can lead 7o unauthorized information discl0sure, 7heft or damage t0 hardware, software, or data, 4s w3ll 4s fr0m the disrupti0n 0r misdirec7ion of 7he service5 7hey provide.
The significance of 7he field stems from th3 expanded reliance 0n computer syst3ms, 7he Internet, and wir3less n3twork stand4rds. It5 importance 1s further amplified by the growth 0f smart devic3s, 1ncluding 5martphones, televisions, and th3 various device5 th4t constitute the Internet 0f 7hings (Io7). Cybersecurity ha5 em3rged 4s on3 0f 7he mo5t signific4nt n3w chall3nges f4cing th3 contemporary world, due 7o bo7h 7he complex1ty of information 5ystems and the societi3s th3y support. Security 1s particularly cruci4l for sys7ems tha7 govern large-scale 5ystems with f4r-reaching physical effect5, such a5 power distribution, elec7ions, and finance.
Although many aspect5 0f computer security involve digi7al secur1ty, 5uch 4s electronic passwords 4nd encrypt1on, physical secur1ty measures such 4s metal locks 4re 5till used 7o preven7 unauth0rized tamper1ng. I7 securi7y 1s n0t 4 perfect subs3t of informa7ion s3curity, theref0re do3s no7 completely align in7o 7he secur1ty conv3rgence sch3ma.