Created: 23 May 2023

What Is Network Security?

Are you interested in finding out more about cybersecurity and network security? Click here to find out exactly what network security is and how it works.

Keyword(s): cybersecurity network security, cyber security and network security, cyber security curriculum, network protection, network security solutions

One estimate states that there are around 2,200 cyberattacks every day. This could result in over 800,000 individual hacks a year. Worried about cybersecurity network security breaches?

Network protection is securing your networks and data from malicious attacks. It allows only approved users access to systems and sensitive information. It also defends against unauthorized action. This includes intentional misuse of network resources by hackers with malicious intent. 

It's important to have proper cyber security and network security solutions in place. This ensures that any breach will have a minimal impact on your infrastructure. It's important to understand the different network security solutions available.

Discover more about what types of cybersecurity best suit your specific needs. Read on to find out what exactly network security is and how it works.

What Is Cybersecurity Network Security?

Cybersecurity or Network Security are interchangeable terms. They describe hardware and software solutions, processes, and configurations in place that protect your network and data from threats such as breaches and intrusions.

Knowing that valuable information is safe from potential harm or theft due to malicious attacks will give a peace-of-mind to you and your customers.

There are various ways to protect a computer system. These online security measures can include:

• Restricting access

• Use of antivirus software

• Securing applications

• Analyzing network traffic

• Safeguarding network security including endpoint, web, and wireless security

• Use of firewalls

• Encryption of VPNs

How Does Network Security Work?

The security of a network relies on various layers of protection set up at the edge and within the network.

Each layer enforces specific policies and controls. This allows legitimate users to access network resources. At the same time, it prevents malicious individuals from carrying out attacks.

How Does My Business Benefit From Digital Security?

The world has been transformed by digitization. This affects how we live, work, play, and learn. You need to meet the demands of customers and employees. Every organization needs to safeguard their networks.

This secures any confidential information from falling victim to a cyber attack. This helps protect your reputation.

Different Types of Network Security

There are many types of network security available. We've listed some of the most common terms and types below.

Firewalls

A firewall is a device used for network security purposes. It examines both incoming and outgoing network traffic. It determines whether to allow certain traffic. It may block some based on security rules.

There are two main types of firewalls available. These are threat-focused firewalls and unified threat management (UTM) devices.

Intrusion Prevention Systems

An intrusion prevention system (IPS) is a tool that scans network traffic to stop attacks. To do this, secure IPS appliances use data from a wide range of sources to identify potential threats.

This technology blocks malicious activity. It also follows the movement of suspicious files and malware throughout a network. This helps stop the spread of attacks and reinfection.

Network Segmentation

Software segmentation is a method of classifying network traffic. It divides traffic into categories making it easier to enforce security policies. Assign access rights based on factors such as role and location. This grants appropriate access to authorised users. It also contains and remedies any suspicious devices.

VPN

A virtual private network provides encryption. This is relevant for the connection between a device and a network. To establish the connection, a remote-access VPN uses Secure Sockets Layer for authentication.

Access Control

To prevent security breaches, it's important to limit network access. Only authorized users and devices should have access. You can achieve this through network access control (NAC). This involves identifying each user and device and enforcing security policies.

Devices that don't follow these policies are either blocked or given restricted access.

Anti-virus Software

Antivirus software prevents malware. Malware refers to malicious software such as viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, and spyware. It can infect a network and remain inactive for some time.

Antimalware programs are effective in preventing malware attacks. They do this by scanning for malware at the entry point. It continuously monitors files for unusual activity and malware removal. It can also run damage repair.

Application Security

It is important to protect any software used for business, regardless if the build was by your IT staff or purchased. All applications may have vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to access your network.

Application security involves using hardware, software, and processes to close these security holes.

Mobile Device Security

Mobile devices and apps are becoming more vulnerable to cyberattacks. It is important to regulate which devices can access the network. Ensure that the configuration of their connections is secure to maintain the privacy of network traffic.

Cloud Security

Cloud security refers to various applications that protect important data and applications online.

The design protects users from internet-based threats and secures data and applications in the cloud. Proper implementation of cloud security provides better security management.

Data Loss Prevention

As a business, data loss prevention is your responsibility. Protocols should be in place to prevent your employees from sending confidential data outside your network.

You can achieve this by using data loss prevention (DLP) technologies. These prevent individuals from uploading, forwarding, or printing sensitive information.

Want to Know More About Network Security?

As you've read, it's important to take the necessary steps to ensure the security of your network. By implementing the strategies we've discussed in this article, you can protect your business from cyber threats. This will help keep sensitive information secure.

Want to learn more about cybersecurity network security? Find a comprehensive cyber security curriculum at Advised Skills. Let us help you create an effective strategy that will safeguard your organization's online presence.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is network security?
   Network security is a branch of cybersecurity that is aimed at protecting the integrity and usability of network and data. It includes both hardware and software technologies, and it targets a variety of threats to stop them from entering or spreading on your network.
2. Why is network security important?
   Network security is crucial because it protects sensitive data from being hacked, stolen, or damaged. It is essential for businesses and organizations to secure their networks to protect customer information, company secrets, and more from potential threats.
3. What are some types of network security?
   Types of network security include access control, antivirus and antimalware software, firewalls, virtual private networks (VPNs), and behavioral analytics, among others.
4. How does a firewall contribute to network security?
   A firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. It acts as a barrier between a trusted and an untrusted network, scrutinizing incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules.
5. What is the role of encryption in network security?
   Encryption is the process of encoding information in such a way that only authorized parties can read it. In network security, encryption is used to protect data in transit, such as emails or data being transferred via VPNs.
6. What is the difference between network security and cybersecurity?
   Cybersecurity is a broad term that encompasses all the measures and techniques used to protect systems, networks, and data from digital attacks. Network security, on the other hand, is a subset of cybersecurity specifically focused on the integrity of networks and data as it is transferred across networks.
7. How can an individual or a company improve their network security?
   There are several measures an individual or a company can take to improve network security. These include implementing strong passwords, keeping software and systems updated, using a firewall, employing intrusion detection systems (IDS), regular auditing and testing, and educating employees about safe online practices.