Importance of Operating System Security
Importance of Operating System Security
Introduction of Security:
In the modern age of computer networking, security has become a very important issue. The operating system must have well-designed mechanisms for protecting computer resources against potential threats like data theft, virus programs, accidental or intentional data loss, and unauthorized access. The computing resources include information stored in the system as well as memory, CPU, disks, devices, etc. Most of the information stored inside the computer system is highly valuable. Similarly, a process must be protected from improper interference by other processes.
The protection mechanisms are implemented through protection policies. The protection policies may be built into the operating system or determined by the system administrator.
For example:
a protection policy may determine which processes are authorized to abort another process. The protection policy may determine which processes are authorized to abort another process. This mechanism is used for the safeguard of the information in the system. Authorized users are those whose unauthorized users are those who are not permitted to use the system resources.
Security Problem:
The security of a system refers to the overall problem of the system being protected. This mechanism deals with protecting policies. The difference between protection and security is;
Protecting the user's information against other authorized/unauthorized users within the system is known as protection.
Definition:
Guarding the user's information against unauthorized users outside the system is known as security.
The security of a system is violated or broken either by accidental or malicious attacks. Accidental attacks occur due to power failure, Fire, Mishandling the computer, Software errors, etc. Malicious attacks occur due to unauthorized accessing, modifying, and destructing valuable information.
Various security policies are adopted for the safeguard of the computer resources. The main objectives of the security policy are to achieve.
Secrecy: It is the act of hiding confidential information from unauthorized users.
Privacy: It is the act of limiting access to information (or computer technology) from unauthorized users.
Levels of Security:
Various levels of security are as follows;
- Physical Security Level
- Human Security Level
- Network Security level
Physical Security Level:
This security level is achieved by securing the physical components of the computer system. The computers or devices that hold important information of any type or software are protected from unauthorized physical access or accidental physical loss.
For example:
This security level may be achieved by locking the room where computers or devices are placed. Similarly, it can also be achieved by restricting the entry of only authorized users within the information system or organization. Further, different types of only authorized users within the information system or organization. Further, Different types of security devices like fire alarm systems, smoke detection systems, Fire extinguishers, access control doors, walkthrough gates, etc. are also used to implement physical security of the computer system.
Human security level:
This security level is achieved by using passwords to gain access to computer resources. This security level is violated when an intruder gets the password or security code of an authorized user. the intruder can be an unauthorized or authorized end user who can access the resources of other authorized users without receiving permission from the actual owner of the information.
Network Security Level:
Components of Security:
- User Aurthenticaial
- Prevention
- Detection
- Identification
- Correction
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