Information Security and Cyber Laws

The world of communication has been making rapid strides. Information Technology has made this world smaller and more accessible. Perhaps the biggest and the most signifi cant change in IT is the advent of the Internet—with it, transferring information, even across continents and oceans, has become easy and instantaneous. Given the changing scenario, security of information has become an important and inseparable aspect of communication. When the message is received only by the intended recipient, the information is said to have been secure. But, if the information passes through the hands of other people before reaching the intended recipient, the security of the information is considered to have been breached. Information security is essential from both, the online and offl ine points-of-view. Information may be in the form of documents and CDs, stored in databases, or in hard disks. This book deals with the concept of information security, the various measures and counter-measures which one needs to take to make the information systems secure and the laws which govern the concept. Structure of the Book This book is divided into 8 chapters, sequenced to give a better understanding of the concepts. Each chapter contains Learning Objectives, Summary, and Solved and Unsolved Questions to aid comprehension of the concepts. The Glossary at the end of the book adds value to the learning. The last two chapters dealing with Cyber Security and Cyber Laws are accompanied by an appendix each. Important topics and concepts have been covered in great detail in the book—including, but not limited to—access control measures, threats, physical security, intrusion detection, cyber security and cyber crime. The 8 chapters together cover the entire syllabus of GBTU’s Information Security and Cyber Laws paper of the BTech course, making the book a student’s ideal companion. I hope that the readers are benefi ted from my effort in bringing out this book. I sincerely thank Vikas Publishing House for their help in giving the book its fi nal shape. Comments and suggestions from the readers are welcome.