Which three factors make cybersecurity far more difficult now than it was in the past when you only needed to protect the computer?

A. Proliferation of interconnected devices, increased reliance on cloud computing, and sophisticated cyber threats.
B. Complexity of computer systems, lack of skilled cybersecurity professionals, and outdated security protocols.
C. Rising number of cybercriminals, globalization of cyber threats, and dependence on social media platforms.
D. Expansion of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, emergence of artificial intelligence in cyber attacks, and challenges in securing data across borders.

The three factors that make cybersecurity more challenging today are the proliferation of interconnected devices, increased reliance on cloud computing, and sophisticated cyber threats.

Explanation:

The correct answer to the student's question is a) Proliferation of interconnected devices, increased reliance on cloud computing, and sophisticated cyber threats. These three factors heavily contribute to the complexity of maintaining robust cybersecurity today. The proliferation of interconnected devices, especially Internet of Things (IoT) devices, vastly expands the potential attack surface for malicious entities. The increased reliance on cloud computing means that data and services are often stored and processed outside an organization's direct control, necessitating sophisticated security measures to protect data in transit and at rest. Lastly, the evolving sophistication of cyber threats, including the use of AI-powered cybersecurity tools by attackers, requires an equally advanced defensive cybersecurity posture to anticipate, monitor, and mitigate threats such as ransomware and other forms of cyberattacks.