Journal #10: How do engineers make cyber networks safer?

As the technology and practices of cybersecurity move forward it becomes more and more apparent that the many fields of engineering seem to move forward at an equal rate. Engineers, whether they realize it or not, are supremely important to the improvement of cybersecurity infrastructure and consequently helped to make cyber networks safer, but how do they do so? Cyber network systems do not solely rely on computers to stay safe and continue operation but they also rely on the networks linking them and the physical infrastructure that holds them such as servers, computers, and even the buildings and power wires that connect. As such engineers and their methods of maintaining the infrastructure side of cyber networks help to keep them safe. Firstly, engineers are usually in charge of manufacturing and maintaining the physical computers and servers responsible for hosting the operating systems pivotal to the security of cyber networks and as such engineers have an important job of developing better systems in an effort to prevent any vulnerabilities caused by having a physical problem. Secondly, Engineers have the privilege of being in control of access control systems that grant access to users within a cyber network which is important as engineers may be responsible for the operation of a system that could block a malicious attacker from even getting into a system. Thirdly, Engineers are in charge of running and maintaining “Remote Terminal Units” or RTU’s which are devices with intelligent microprocessors in charge of data logging and potentially sounding alarms in the event of a breach which is important to maintaining communication between engineering infrastructure and cyber systems. Similarly to remote terminal units engineers are in charge of maintaining Programmable Logic controllers which makes controlling processes such as assembly lines or other industrial processes more efficient which can make systems more safer in the event of a breach of industrial facilities.  

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *