What Is Network Security? Definition and Security Concepts Explained

This article is an introduction to network security. Read on to learn the value of secure networks and see what tactics companies use to keep intruders away from data and resources.

What is Meant by Network Security?

Network security encompasses a set of hardware and software solutions designed to prevent unauthorized users from accessing a network and its resources. The goal of network security is to create a safe work platform for devices, users, and programs.

Network security has several vital roles within an IT environment:

• Prevent unauthorized access to assets and data.
• Stop threats from spreading through the system.
• Protect network data, infrastructure, and all traffic from external threats.
• Grant users adequate access to resources.
• Enable secure data sharing between systems and employees.
• Detect and respond to suspicious user behavior and software anomalies.

The framework for successful network security has three phases:

• Protection: Configure systems and networks correctly to ensure no vulnerabilities exist.
• Detection: Identify potential threats before the attacker causes damage or spreads through the network.
• Reaction: Quickly eliminate threats and return the network to a safe state.

Setting up and managing network security is a complicated and time-consuming task. Admins typically rely on network security management tools to better monitor activity and speed up response times. Standard network security tools include:

• Packet sniffers that give insight into data traffic.
• Vulnerability assessment scanning tools.
• SIEM tools that analyze network data.
• Intrusion detection and prevention software.
• Penetration testing software.

How Network Security Works?

Network security revolves around two main processes: authentication and authorization. Authentication is the practice of checking the user’s identity before granting access to a system. A network can verify the user in three different ways:

• One-factor authentication: A user types in a username and password to log in.
• Two-factor authentication: A user provides a username and a password, but the network requires an additional verification step. Systems typically ask for something that the user possesses, such as a security token, a credit card, or a mobile phone.
• Three-factor authentication: A network requires two-factor authentication plus biometric recognition, such as a voice, fingerprint, or retinal scan. This and other security techniques are used to secure data centers.

Once the network verifies the identity, the user logs in. Authorization then determines the level of access based on network policies.

While helpful in preventing unauthorized access, authentication, and authorization do not check network traffic for harmful content. A firewall prevents malicious traffic from entering the network. Anti-virus software and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) recognize malicious activity within the network. Some companies also use machine learning and behavioral analytics to analyze traffic and detect active dangers.

Network Security Controls

Network security consists of three different controls: physical, technical, and administrative.

Physical Network Security

Physical security controls prevent unauthorized staff and intruders from physically reaching network components. This type of security control protects routers, cabling cupboards, computers, dedicated servers, and other similar network infrastructure. Locks, security cameras, fences, and guards are standard methods of physical network security.

Besides protecting static equipment, physical network security must also stop the theft of employee hardware. Portable devices are easy targets, so preventing thieves from stealing and extracting data from hardware is essential.

Technical Network Security

Technical security controls protect network data and systems. This type of security keeps both stored and in-transit data safe. Technical security controls protect data and systems both from unauthorized third parties and malicious insiders.

Administrative Network Security

Administrative security controls consist of policies and processes that monitor user behavior. This type of control defines:

• Each user’s level of access.
• How user authentication works.
• How IT staff make changes to the network infrastructure.

What Are the Types of Network Security?

Security experts use various techniques and strategies to keep a network safe. Here are the most effective types of network security:

• Anti-virus and anti-malware software: Prevent, detect, and remove software viruses and malware trying to compromise the network.
• Data loss prevention (DLP): Data loss prevention tools detect and stop unauthorized data flows.
• Application security: Protect applications from exploitable weaknesses by testing features, keeping tools up to date, and removing compatibility issues.
• Email security: Email security protects employees’ inboxes, the primary source of malware, spam, and phishing threats.
• Firewall: Firewalls are barriers between internal and external networks that scan for and stop dangerous content from entering the system.
• Endpoint security: Ensure that endpoints, including desktops, laptops, and mobile devices, do not serve as entry points for malicious actors and programs.
• Mobile device security: Protect data stored on and transmitted by phones, tablets, wearables, and other portable devices.
• Virtual Private Networks (VPN): Ensure secure remote access for employees with virtual private networks.
• Network monitoring and detection systems: Monitor network traffic and automatically respond to suspicious activity.
• Web security: Safeguard your network by proactively identifying and eliminating web-based threats.

While network security requires the use of various technologies, the protection strategy must be holistic. Poor integrations and a lack of compatibility between components create weak points that hackers can exploit to breach the system.

Why Is Network Security Important?

Network security enables an organization to deliver products and services safely and consistently. This type of protection is the first line of defense against all significant cyber threats:

• Malware: Malware infections include different types of ransomware (programs that encrypt data and demand ransoms), worms (malware that quickly replicates through a network), and spyware (programs that allow an attacker to track user activities).
• Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS): DDoS attacks slow down or deny services by overwhelming a network with fake spikes in traffic.
• Advanced Persistent Threats (APT): An APT attack is a dangerous cyber threat that typically starts with a compromised network.
• Insider attacks: Insider threats occur when employees either accidentally or intentionally damage the network or leak data.
• Vulnerability exploits: Attackers target weak points in login portals, applications, devices, or other areas to penetrate a network.

Network security also enables a company to:

• Reduce overhead expenses.
• Boost network performance and reliability.
• Prevent costly downtime.
• Build trust with business partners and end-users.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and laws.
• Enhance the longevity of devices.

How to Improve Network Security?

Regular Auditing and Mapping

An administrator must have a clear understanding of the network infrastructure to set up proper defenses. Always know the models, locations, and configurations of:

• Firewalls.
• Routers.
• Switches.
• Cabling.
• Ports.
• Wireless access points.

An admin must also be familiar with all connected devices (servers, computers, printers, etc.) and their connectivity path through the network.

Auditing and mapping help identify potential weak points and ways to improve network safety, performance, and reliability.

Perform a network security audit to get an in-depth analysis of your current defenses.

Segment the Network

Network segmentation breaks a network up into smaller subsystems. Each subnetwork operates as an independent system with separate security controls and access rules.

Segmenting a network prevents an attacker from moving freely through the system. If a hacker breaches a part of a network, other segments are not automatically in danger.

Use Strong Passwords

Poor password choices create dangerous security gaps. Weak passwords make brute force attacks easier, heighten the threat of malicious insiders, and enable an attacker to gain network access silently.

Ensure employees use complex and unique passwords and that they change them every few weeks. Additionally, educate staff on the importance of not sharing passwords with other employees.

Build Staff Awareness

Ensure employees understand their roles and responsibilities in maintaining network security. Careful employees are a vital line of defense, so train your staff to:

• Recognize signs of social engineering.
• Avoid clicking links in pop-ups and suspicious emails to prevent phishing attacks.
• Connect only to secure Wi-Fi networks.
• Delete old accounts that they no longer use.
• Never turn off firewalls and anti-virus software.
• Turn off computers and laptops when not in use.
• Respect network security practices.
• Quickly communicate with the security team if something goes wrong.

You should also ensure that all workers are aware of and have access to security policies.

Keep Software Up to Date

All network software must have the latest updates to defend against the latest threats properly. Consider investing in a patch management system that keeps all your network software up to date.

Zero Trust

Use Zero Trust security to restrict user access to valuable data. Users should have only as much access as they require to perform their jobs.

Zero Trust protects a network and its data from both external and internal threats. This policy also helps companies comply with data privacy and security laws (FISMA, HIPAA, PCI, GDPR, CCPA, etc.).

Set Up Honeypots

Honeypots are fake subnetworks or data storage that security teams deploy as decoys. These network segments have intentional flaws that attract attackers. Regular users do not access honeypots, so any activity in that network area is an indicator of third-party presence.

Honeypots enable a security team to:

• Quickly identify intruder activity.
• Identify weak points in the network.
• Analyze malicious tactics and patterns.
• Distract hackers from real servers and resources.

A Foundation for Successful IT

Network security reduces the risk of cyber threats and is essential to safe IT operations. Enhance your network’s safety to empower teams to grow and operate without unnecessary setbacks and costly downtime. Consider checking our article on Network Infrastructure Security to learn more about the prerequisites for efficient business communication, productive teams, and safe operations.