# 🛡️ Introduction to Cybersecurity Fundamentals

**Cybersecurity** is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from digital attacks. Whether you’re managing a personal blog or administering servers for an enterprise, understanding cybersecurity fundamentals is essential.

## 🔐 The CIA Triad: Core Principles

At the heart of cybersecurity are three foundational principles — known as the **CIA triad**:

### 1. Confidentiality

– Ensures information is accessible only to those authorized to view it.

– Techniques: Encryption, access controls, secure passwords.

### 2. Integrity

– Ensures data is not tampered with or altered by unauthorized individuals.

– Techniques: Checksums, hashing, version control, audit logs.

### 3. Availability

– Ensures systems and data are accessible when needed.

– Techniques: Redundancy, failover systems, DDoS protection, regular backups.

## 🧨 Common Threat Types

– **Phishing**: Deceptive emails tricking users into giving away sensitive data.

– **Malware**: Malicious software like viruses, ransomware, trojans.

– **Man-in-the-Middle (MitM)**: Attackers intercept communication between two parties.

– **Denial-of-Service (DoS/DDoS)**: Overwhelm servers with traffic to make services unavailable.

– **Zero-Day Exploits**: Attacks using vulnerabilities unknown to software vendors.

## 🛠️ Security Best Practices

– Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.

– Keep systems and software updated (patch management).

– Back up data regularly.

– Train users on identifying phishing and social engineering.

– Use firewalls and endpoint protection tools.

## 💡 Why Cybersecurity Matters

Even small websites and personal devices are targets. A breach can lead to data loss, legal consequences, or damage to your reputation. In an increasingly connected world, cybersecurity is no longer optional — it’s fundamental.

## 📚 What’s Next?

In the next articles, we’ll dive deeper into topics like:

– Types of cybersecurity tools (IDS/IPS, SIEMs, firewalls)

– Home lab setup for learning security testing

– OS hardening and least privilege principles