OSI Model: The Foundation of Networking and Cybersecurity
Introduction – Why the OSI Model Matters in Cybersecurity Think about a hacker trying to exploit a vulnerability in a web application—how do they even know where to attack? The answer often lies in the OSI Model . The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is like the blueprint of networking. It breaks down the incredibly complex process of sending and receiving data into seven simple, logical layers . Each layer has its own job, rules, and weaknesses. Imagine it this way: when data travels from your laptop to a website, it doesn’t just teleport. It moves step by step, layer by layer, until it reaches the destination. —And here’s the cool part—hackers and defenders both use this same model to understand where to attack or protect. What is the OSI Model? The OSI model was first introduced in the 1980s by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) . The OSI model is a conceptual framework that explains how data travels from one device to another across a network. Th...