Computer security

Operating systems
Common features
Process management Interrupts Memory management File system Device drivers Networking Security Input/output
v t e

Computer security (also cybersecurity, digital security, or information technology (IT) security) is the protection of computer systems and networks from threats that may result in unauthorized information disclosure, theft of (or damage to) hardware, software, or data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide.^[1][2]

The field is significant due to the expanded reliance on computer systems, the Internet,^[3] and wireless network standards. It is also significant due to the growth of smart devices, including smartphones, televisions, and the various devices that constitute the Internet of things (IoT). Cybersecurity is one of the most significant new challenges facing the contemporary world, due to both the complexity of information systems and the societies they support. Security is of especially high importance for systems that govern large-scale systems with far-reaching physical effects, such as power distribution, elections, and finance.^[4][5]

While many aspects of computer security involve digital security such as electronic passwords and encryption, physical security measures such as metal locks are still used to prevent unauthorized tampering. IT security is not a perfect subset of information security, thus does not fit completely into the security convergence schema.