1. How do engineers make cyber networks safer?

2. What is the overlap between criminal justice and cybercrime? How does this overlap relate to the other disciplines discussed in this class?

Engineers play a crucial role in enhancing the safety of cyber networks through a complex approach. Encryption technologies are essential components that engineers implement to secure data during transmission making it difficult for unauthorized entities to intercept and decipher sensitive information. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) are deployed to actively monitor network traffic, identifying and mitigating potential cyber threats in real-time. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments conducted by engineers help identify weak points in the network enabling the implementation of effective security measures. Secure network architecture design is another critical aspect where engineers employ principles, such as the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users and systems have the minimum necessary access rights. Implementing firewalls and strong access controls contributes to the overall defense against unauthorized access. Engineers also focus on user education and awareness as human factors are often exploited in cyber-attacks. By promoting a cybersecurity-conscious culture within organizations, engineers mitigate the risk of social engineering and phishing attacks. Ultimately, the collaborative efforts of engineers encompass technological innovation, strategic planning, and ongoing vigilance to create resilient and secure cyber networks. The overlap between criminal justice and cybercrime is particularly relevant in the context of industrial cyber systems. Engineers collaborate with criminal justice professionals to safeguard critical infrastructure from cyber threats. In the industrial sector, systems security engineering focuses on creating resilient architectures for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. These engineers implement security measures to protect industrial networks from cyber-physical attacks, contributing to both the safety of critical infrastructure and the legal response to cybercrimes. The interdisciplinary nature of these efforts extends to criminal justice and cybercrime disciplines. Criminal justice professionals apply legal frameworks to prosecute cybercriminals, leveraging their expertise in digital forensics. Meanwhile, engineers in systems security and industrial cyber systems work collaboratively to fortify network defenses against evolving cyber threats. This interdisciplinary synergy creates a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, emphasizing not only technological innovation but also legal and procedural considerations to combat cybercrime effectively.