Cybersecurity has become one of the most searched terms on Google in the last few years. Also, this industry has been growing at a faster pace than any other industry. The sole reason behind this is the increase in cyber threats and the resulting issues. However, have you ever thought about the history of this field? Was cybersecurity like this since forever? When did it start expanding to code review services, security checks, setting up firewalls, and introducing a lot more terminologies and processes? This article will cover a brief history of this field and will expose some hidden secrets as well.
It Began with Simple Passwords
The story of cybersecurity goes back to the 1960s when there was no internet but companies felt the need to secure their sensitive data. Along with passwords, multiple security checks were introduced and firewalls were made. Since there was no backup facility available, people focused more on keeping their data secure.
A Research Fueled the Journey
A team of researchers started building a program at ARPANET in the 1970s. This program was able to get into a system and leave its trail behind showcasing “I’M THE CREEPER: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN” on the computer screen. This became the first computer worm and the same team developed a solution for this by building a code that caught CREEPER and deleted it from the system hence, becoming the first anti-virus.
Here Comes Internet and its Challenges
With the passage of time, more viruses were made that could hack into systems easily and cause great damage to the sensitive information. A lot of countries even started using these viruses as weapons of war. Moreover, a few viruses were introduced that replicated at a Godspeed causing the whole system to fall to its knees. Also, in the 1980s world welcomed a new technology we know as the internet today. However, the code review services were still to appear on the scene.
Firewalls and Laws
In the 1990s, companies felt the need to introduce firewalls to stop 90% if not 100% of viruses from getting in their systems. While companies kept producing new anti-viruses, the pace at which viruses were produced was still unmatchable so NASA introduced the world’s first firewall. In the early 2000s, a lot of countries started preparing laws and punishments for breaches and creating viruses to harm others. This is also known as a turning point in the history of cyberattacks and threats.
Where Do We Stand Now?
In 2010, the world saw a huge inflow of new viruses, bugs, and cyber threats. The rate of cyberattacks was increased at a much faster pace so the world had to come up with a new field- cybersecurity. That is when it became a separate field and solutions were devised at a faster speed. Now, it has a lot of services like code review services, security services, functionality testing, and a few more names. If you think the war between viruses and anti-viruses is over, you are more than welcome to think once again!