What is Network Security?

Network security is a combination of various devices, technologies, and processes that exist to protect data by strengthening the integrity, accessibility, and confidentiality of computer networks.

The technology used includes the usage of both software and hardware infrastructure that provides the computer network with the highest security levels. Every corporation, website, and industry needs a certain degree of network security due to the increasingly present cyber threats.

Modern network architecture is drastically different in some regards to what we had before, but it doesn't change the fact that malicious software can target any computer system. There's no such thing as a perfectly secure network but it's important to maximize security so it's exceptionally difficult for unauthorized users to gain access control to the network.

Some potential vulnerabilities that can lead to sensitive information leaks or other malicious activities are found in applications, devices, locations, users, and data. Thanks to the consistent presence of external threats and unauthorized personnel, network security nowadays features plenty of methods to protect the sensitive data inside the network.

In this article, we'll take a look at how network security works and what types of network security exist.

How Does Network Security Protect the Data Stored in a Network?

A network consists of multiple layers, all of which can have vulnerabilities. An organization must consider all of them and make sure all of its networks are appropriately protected. Data breaches are more common than you think, with mobile devices being the ones most affected.

Network security can include intrusion prevention systems, access management & access controls, antivirus software, and even multi-cloud security. Having effective network security will guarantee that the chance of a data breach is minimal.

Three main categories define network security. Virtually all data should flow through each one and this multi-layered approach to potential threats is necessary for data loss prevention.

Technical Network Security

Technical network security controls regulate and protect data that is at any moment stored on the network. It also protects the data that is simply in transit (coming in or going out of the network).

It works on protecting assets by restricting access to unauthorized personnel and protecting the network from malicious attacks from potential attackers or employees.

Physical Network Security

Physical network security pertains to the network's ability to deny access to physical network components such as cabling cupboards and routers. This essentially guarantees that the only people who have access control to them are authorized users.

Physical network security protects unauthorized access by utilizing biometric locks and other personnel-specific security measures.

Administrative Network Security

Administrative network security revolves around processes and security policies that exist to monitor and control user behavior. It also contains defined rules about user authentication and access control.

IT staff that work on maintenance and implement changes in the network get some security controls assigned to them but not all. In any case, network access control is a big deal and is a crucial component of the combination of network security solutions.

The Four Main Methods of Robust Network Security

Now that we've covered the three main types of network security, it's time to look at the methods used to protect the network and enhance network performance.

Anti-malware software and antiviruses

We're all acquainted with antiviruses and anti-malware software considering we use electronic devices such as mobile phones and personal computers. They're arguably the most basic network security method, but they get the job done.

Still, this isn't to say they are irrelevant or can be ignored. Antiviruses protect against a wide range of malicious activity including trojans, ransomware, viruses, and worms. Network traffic needs to be scanned regularly and the best antiviruses do just that, on top of tracking suspicious files to the next location.

Virtual private networks

A virtual private network encrypts the connection between the server and a website or other connection point. Usually, people who work from home would connect to the organization's Virtual Private Network (VPN) to prevent network traffic from entering or exiting the network without authentication.

VPNs can be used by anyone; a remote access VPN can also let you access websites that are locked for certain regions by setting your region (and, thus, your IP address) to somewhere else.

Network access control

Full access control is necessary to prevent unauthorized personnel from accessing a network. This also includes devices; every device needs specific access protocols if it's to be used on the network.

Network security involves limiting the capabilities of most users (if not all of them). Cyber terrorists have started increasingly targeting mobile devices and, in a world where they're the main focus of our lives, application security and the like need to be at the highest level.

In any case, organizations can set network access control (NAC) for every single element of the network. This way, they can give access to network administrators but limit their usage of personal devices for accessing the network and data.

Firewalls

Next-generation firewalls can easily prevent users from accessing malicious websites and applications. Application security is at its highest when firewalls are involved. Network administrators can make it so other users see only personalized content by blocking specific external networks (ie. websites) from connecting with the organization's internal network.

Virtually every personal computer uses some form of firewall and it's no different within organizations. Security information should be limited to only a handful of select people that can be trusted with knowing said information. Network security firewalls are integral in strengthening the underlying networking infrastructure.

Behavioral analytics tools

These tools are used to analyze how employees act within a certain organization in terms of network security work. Every network's infrastructure needs to be divided into separate levels to maximize the efficiency of the intrusion prevention system.

This can include using email security, event management tools, and other software to limit the access of unauthorized employees. These tasks are usually assigned to either network administrators or specialized users that are meant to collect the data and deliver it to the organization.

Final Words

When we're talking about what is network security, we're talking about the many ways we can prevent damage to the organization whether it be stealing information or placing malware in the network.

The central topic at hand is protection and security; this includes internal and external access to the network. Most organizations have network security defined as a way to keep employees out of specific parts of the network so they don't cause harm to it.

In any case, focusing on network security and maintaining it should be the primary goal of every organization that has its own internal network. Unauthorized access is something that needs to be prevented at all costs.The information age has brought forth various pathways into anyone's personal files and information, either through the use of mobile devices such as mobile phones or personal computers. Making sure that the entire network is protected against any form of attack is thought to be paranoia by some - but it's simply common sense.