What is Security?

The central role of computer security for the working of the economy, the defense of the country, and the protection of our individual privacy is universally acknowledged today. This chapter tries to clarify just what security focuses on. Over the years the subject of information security has been considered from a number of perspectives, as a concept, a function, and a subject area. It discusses each of these perspectives and also examines their value. The common body of knowledge (CBT) provides an organized delineation of the major subjects that impact information security. The chapter presents an example to enable the reader to understand some of the problems associated with modern computer system security. A computer system's security is only as good as its weakest link. The process involves everyone, not only the people overlooking security exclusively. Four key security questions were presented to suggest an alternative way for protecting organizations. Controlled Vocabulary Terms computer network security; data privacy