Many measures are available which can help improve the security of data. Which measures are
appropriate will depend upon the situation.
| Computer Security Measures
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| Safe Storage of Data |
Using high quality media and storing data in appropriate conditions will
reduce the risk of data being accidentally damaged.
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| Limiting Physical Access |
It is possible to limit access to some computer systems physically using
locks, swipe cards etc. This can reduce the risk of unauthorised personnel
accessing or damaging data.
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| User Names and Passwords |
The use of a user name and password system can restrict who can access what
data on a computer system.
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| Biometric Measures |
Biometric systems can identify people by recognising one of their unique physical characteristics.
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| File Access Rights |
File access rights specify what actions a user can take on a file or
directory. Example access rights are read only, change and append.
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| Logs |
When a user name and password system is in use a log can be kept of who has
done what on a computer system. This may deter unwanted activity and will help
track down anyone who has made unauthorised used of a computer.
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| Encryption |
Encryption is converting data into an apparently meaningless form so that it can not be read by unauthorised users.
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| Backups |
A backup is an extra copy of data. If the original data is damaged then the backup
can be used to recover the correct data.
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| Virus Checks |
Using a virus checker to identify viruses before they infect a computer can
reduce the risks of a virus destroying data.
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| Firewalls |
A firewall is device or program that monitors and restricts the data that flows between a home computer or private network and a public network such as the Internet.
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| Digital Signature |
A digital signature is a binary code that uniquely identifies a person. Digital signatures are used to identify who sent an email and check the email has not been altered.
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