The Role of Circuit Breakers In Cybersecurity

Uploaded on 2023-10-06 in FREE TO VIEW

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Cybersecurity isn’t just about using codes and software to attack or defend. It often relies on physical components and, most importantly, power. And power comes from electricity. That’s where circuit breakers prove to be an invaluable asset as they help keep the cybersecurity infrastructure intact.

Let’s explore more on the role of circuit breakers and why it is integral to invest in top-quality circuit breakers for your cyber security:

Understanding the Concept of a Circuit Breaker

Before we begin, there are two types of circuit breakers. The first is the one used in cybersecurity, and the other is for electrical purposes.

Now, the term circuit breaker in cybersecurity refers to a mechanism used to control data flow, similar to electrical flow. It helps in monitoring the network traffic, and just like electricity, it helps regulate a system’s behaviour. A circuit breaker can be application-based (software), while some may have a physical component, as well.
Electrical circuit breakers break off the power when there’s fluctuation or overload. Nowadays, you have smart circuit breakers that automate this process and even restore it by themselves.

Similarly, if there’s a cybersecurity threat, the circuit breaker will work to block the data traffic, quarantine specific data, or even shut down the connection or an app. Let’s take a quick look at how this circuit breaker helps:

1. Blocking Threats

Most cybersecurity threats take time to break in or do considerable damage. They start small, and a circuit breaker can cut off the flow of data before the threat grows larger. As a result, it can easily prevent minor security issues from becoming major ones.

Similarly, an electric circuit breaker is essential in the server rooms to prevent any short circuit or electrical damage, especially to the systems that are integral for cyber security.

2. Anti-lateral Movement

A lateral movement is one of the cyber attack techniques used by hackers to gain access to systems and data by moving gradually through a network. If there’s a hint of a compromised system, the circuit breaker can easily isolate it to prevent further access.

3. Minimizing Downtime

Both - electrical and cyber circuit breakers assist in minimising downtime by cutting the flow of data or electricity. It prevents any excessive damage, unauthorised access, or service disruption. By safeguarding the damage and contaminating the threat, the security team or IT team can work quickly to restore the systems.

4. Quick Notifications & Response

Most modern circuit breakers work with advanced notification systems. For cybersecurity and the electrical components, you will receive a notification or a log. It will easily alert you to the detected threat or damage. Thus, you or the team can take quick action to restore it and also to fight off the threat.

Therefore, circuit breaker helps considerably in preventing future threats. They also help in maintaining the server rooms and other essential aspects. Thus, you can be better prepared to tackle any issue regarding the security threat. And these are just some of the roles a circuit breaker plays in cyber security.

Image: Sid74

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