The team hopes by raising the awareness of students, staff and visitors we can actively try to mitigate the increasing risks, threats and attacks that are posed to our network. We also hope that this information can be of value to users off campus, creating a safer personal environment as well.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is a Security Incident?
A security incident refers to any adverse event or series of events that can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of an organization's information or information systems. Security incidents can vary widely in scope and impact, and they may be intentional or unintentional. Dealing with security incidents is a critical aspect of information security management. Here are some common examples of security incidents:
Unauthorized Access: Attempts or successful incidents of gaining access to systems, networks, or data without proper authorization.
Malware Infections: The presence or spread of malicious software (malware) on computer systems, which can include viruses, worms, ransomware, or trojans.
Data Breaches: Unauthorized access, disclosure, or acquisition of sensitive or confidential data. This could involve customer information, financial data, intellectual property, or other critical business information.
Denial of Service (DoS) or Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks: Attempts to make a computer, network, or service unavailable to users by overwhelming it with a flood of traffic or requests.
Insider Threats: Security incidents caused by individuals within the organization, whether intentional (malicious) or unintentional (negligent).
Physical Security Incidents: Breaches or incidents involving the physical security of information systems or facilities, such as unauthorized access to data centres or theft of hardware.
Phishing and Social Engineering: Attempts to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or financial information, often through deceptive emails, messages, or phone calls.
System Misconfigurations: Errors in the configuration of systems or networks that could expose vulnerabilities and lead to unauthorized access or other security issues.
When a security incident occurs, organizations typically have an incident response plan in place to address and mitigate the impact of the incident. Incident response involves a coordinated effort to identify, contain, eradicate, recover from, and learn from security incidents to prevent similar incidents in the future. The goal is to minimize damage, reduce recovery time, and enhance overall security posture.