AQA · GCSE · Computer Science
Course version: 8525 · Version from Sept 2020
Be able to define the term cyber security and be able to describe the main…
Full specification wording
Fundamentals of cyber security: Be able to define the term cyber security and be able to describe the main purposes of cyber security.
Cyber security is the protection of computer systems, networks and data from unauthorised access, damage, disruption or theft.
Checked against the AQA 8525 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 2
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Cyber security is the protection of computer systems, networks and data from unauthorised access, damage, disruption or theft. Its main purposes follow from that definition. It aims to keep data confidential so only authorised users can read it, to keep data and systems intact so they are not altered or corrupted, and to keep systems and data available to legitimate users when needed. It also aims to prevent financial and reputational harm to organisations and to protect individuals' personal information. In practice these purposes are pursued through measures such as strong passwords, encryption, firewalls, access levels and regular backups. A question may ask for the definition, or ask which purpose a described measure serves, so link each measure to the purpose it protects.
What earns the marks
- Defines cyber security as the protection of systems, networks and data from unauthorised access, damage, disruption or theft.
- Describes the purpose of protecting confidentiality so only authorised users can access data.
- Describes the purpose of maintaining integrity so data and systems are not altered or corrupted.
- Describes the purpose of maintaining availability so legitimate users can access systems and data when required.
- Links a named measure, such as encryption, firewalls, access levels or backups, to the purpose it supports.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Defining cyber security only as 'stopping hackers'.
Put it right by covering protection of systems, networks and data from unauthorised access, damage, disruption and theft.
Confusing a purpose with a method, for example giving 'use a firewall' as the purpose.
Put it right by stating the purpose, such as preventing unauthorised access, then naming the measure.
Assuming cyber security concerns only organisations.
Put it right by noting it also protects individuals' personal data.
Exam tips
- Learn a full definition covering systems, networks and data and the four harms: unauthorised access, damage, disruption and theft.
- When asked for purposes, give the protected outcome first, then an example measure.
- Use the confidentiality, integrity and availability ideas to organise longer answers.
Try the lesson
The start of the Fundamentals of cyber security: Be able to define the term cyber security and be able to describe the main purposes of cyber security. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which description best defines cyber security?
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