Network security involves preventing unauthorized access, misuse, and theft of the underlying networking infrastructure. To explain, for users, applications, devices, and users to work securely, a secure infrastructure must be built.
What Is Network Security Technology?
The process of developing a strategic defensive strategy to protect a company’s data and resources across its network is referred to as network security. It safeguards the company from any potential threats or unauthorized entry. No matter the size, sector, or infrastructure of the organization, network security solutions shield it from the escalating threat of cyberattacks.
Numerous technologies, devices, and processes can be included in network security. Though being a group of rules and configurations, you may need devices and hardware that are designed to protect computer networks and their data. Further, the network security software and hardware are used to maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility of the targeted computers.
Which Comprises the Network Security?
There are three components of network security: integrity, confidentiality, and availability. The CIA triad is an established standard used when developing network security policies for any organization. Network architecture is getting more complex in a world where the Internet of Things (IoT) is the new norm.
Hackers who are constantly advancing and looking for new ways to identify and exploit vulnerabilities pose a constant threat to this system. There are vulnerabilities in a variety of areas, including users, locations, devices, data, applications, and other data. Even a brief period of downtime can result in significant losses.
The Foundational Elements of Network Security
Organizations typically choose a multi-layered strategy when looking for ways to improve network security. All network hardware, software, and policies related to network security should be designed to address each layer since attacks can target any layer of a network’s setup.
Check the following fundamentals of network security:
1. Access Control
Access control enables organizations to block unauthorized users and devices from accessing the network. With access control, you can keep out potential attackers. It also restricts accessing the network to the set of resources defined for authorized users.
2. Security Identification
It is utilized to confirm the identities of users, processes, or devices that may be requesting access to the network using usernames and identity numbers.
3. Strict Authentication
It is applying strict procedures on customers logging into a network to verify their credentials. Authentication protocols allow for secure access to a network by verifying the identity of users, processes, or devices that may be requesting access.
4. Accounting and Monitoring
Accounting and monitoring keep track of every action a user makes on the network, making it easier to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized behavior. With this data, organizations can quickly identify any suspicious activities and take necessary steps to secure their networks.
5. Physical Network Security
To stop unauthorized people from physically accessing parts like routers or cable cabinets, physical network security approach is followed. Locks, biometric authentication, and a variety of other tools are used to accomplish this.
6. Technical Network Security
Technical network security keeps all data on the network safe. It includes data entering the network, leaving it, or even transiting through it. This is necessary for two reasons: first, it safeguards data from both unauthorized users and malicious behavior on the part of employees.
7. Administrative Network Security
The user’s behavior is governed by security procedures and policies known as administrative security controls. This pertains to the manner in which users are authenticated, the level of access granted to them, and the manner in which IT staff members carry out infrastructure changes.
Types of Network Security
There are multiple types of network security that are meant to strengthen your security posture. Check them all to find the best type of network security that addresses your needs:
Application Security
Application security refers to the actions a developer takes to identify security flaws, fix them, and prevent them from occurring in the future. Applications can still contain flaws that are simple for attackers to exploit. Software, hardware, and procedures are all included in application security to close any remaining vulnerabilities.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Taking precautions to stop employees from sharing data outside of a designated network is part of data loss prevention. It guarantees the secure transmission of all data. These measures may include the use of strong encryption technology, the implementation of data access policies, and employee training to ensure everyone is aware of their obligations in relation to handling sensitive information and avoids misusing them.
Once any violations are detected DLP applies remediation with alerts and encryption to stop end users from sharing sensitive data.
Email Security
Email gateways are security gaps that frequently lead to a breach. Emails are the main source of phishing attacks when they are honed with social engineering techniques. The risk of such attacks can be reduced with email security.
Such malicious emails can be stopped from reaching recipients by using a secure email gateway that can be installed on-premises or in the cloud. Solutions for email encryption provide a defense against legal violations or data loss.
Firewalls
An internal network and an external network, such as the Internet, are separated by firewalls. They control the network’s incoming and outgoing traffic using a predetermined set of protocols. The first line of defense is a firewall. Firewalls stop data that is not in accordance with a company’s established set of protocols from passing through.
Final Thoughts on Network Security
Network security is one of the pillars of any organization’s security. It serves as the gateway guard for your systems, applications, and data. No one can deny that cybersecurity is a major challenge for all businesses and institutions due to the fast-evolving techniques of cyberattacks and malicious activities. Alnafitha It has a partnership with a wide range of cybersecurity providers. So you can find more about those solutions that handle your security needs.
