The 7 layers of security refer to the different layers of security controls that are typically used in information technology (IT) systems to protect against unauthorized access, attacks, and data breaches. These layers are known as the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model, which is a conceptual framework that helps to standardize communication protocols between different computer systems. The 7 layers of the OSI model, and their corresponding security controls, are:
- Physical Layer: This layer includes physical security controls such as locks, security cameras, and other measures that are designed to physically protect IT systems from unauthorized access.
- Data Link Layer: This layer includes security controls such as access control lists (ACLs), which are used to control access to network resources based on user permissions.
- Network Layer: This layer includes security controls such as firewalls, which are used to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic.
- Transport Layer: This layer includes security controls such as encryption, which is used to protect data as it is transmitted between different systems.
- Session Layer: This layer includes security controls such as session timeouts, which are used to automatically terminate user sessions after a period of inactivity.
- Presentation Layer: This layer includes security controls such as content filtering, which is used to block access to malicious or inappropriate content.
- Application Layer: This layer includes security controls such as access controls and authentication mechanisms, which are used to ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive applications and data.
Overall, these layers work together to provide a comprehensive and layered approach to security, with each layer building on the previous one to provide more robust protection against threats and attacks