The modern world is often referred to as the age of information. The main reason behind this nomenclature is the enhancement of technology. Businesses are using more digital technologies. Digital technologies include the internet, cellular network, wired as well as wireless networks. To safeguard these technologies, companies ought to enhance security patches. Hence, the demand for Cyber and Network Security is increasing rapidly. You can go for Cyber Security training programs to further enhance your knowledge on cyber security and will assist in choosing the right career for you.
What is Network Security?
What do you understand by Network Security? The definition of this question might vary from person to person. However, you must be wondering about the standard definition of the question, what is computer network security?". The definition accepted globally is that network security is a system that safeguards multiple aspects like technology, devices, and processes. It protects confidential data from both hardware and software technologies. Companies, irrespective of their size, are using Network Security.
Various tools make up an entire Network Security Architecture. The main purpose of these tools is to secure networks and applications. Establishing a productive security network plan is essential. This requires multiple stages of protection that are both automatic and scalable. Every defensive stage has different security strategies that are mostly decided by the administrator.
How Does Network Security Work?
Now that you know what network security in computer networks is let us learn how network security works.
Network Security works in a multi-lined or multi-layered structure. Each layer has various controls as well as policies. An organization's Network Security can be categorized into access control and Threat Control.
Access Control
The initial stage of Network Security begins with Access Control. The main purpose of Access is to prohibit the activity of a bad action that might be either malware or a virus in the Network Security System. There are many instances when a bad action breaches the Network Security. Subsequently, it can check out and extract the traffic as well as diagram out the infrastructure of a Security System. After the bad action is well aware of the system and application, it will launch a DDoS attack. To safeguard Network Security from such attacks, developers have built access control.
Threat Control
Every Network Security system has in-build access control, but it is not enough for certain circumstances. This threat control is required. There can be instances when bad actors can breach the system through an employee's credentials. Then, threat control comes into action. The main task of threat control is to prevent bad actors from sabotaging the network system.
Dos/DDoS attacks are prevented by the firewall and load balancer. These are threat control technologies.
Network Security Controls
There are three Network Security Controls Namely Physical Network Security, Technical Network Security, and Administrative Network Security.
1. Physical Network Security
Physical network security was built to safeguard the access of various network components from authorized persons. Network components include routers, cabling cupboards, etc. Many organizations have installed biometric locks and verification to regulate Physical network security.
2. Technical Network Security
Data that are stored in a network are maintained by technical network security. The protection given by technical network security is twofold way. Firstly, it protects data from unauthorized faculty. And lastly, it safeguards the negative activities of workers.
3. Administrative Network Security
Administrative network security assists in controlling the behavior and access of an employee. It also monitors the modifications made by any person to the infrastructure. Go for CEH training and absorb most of the network security learning.
Types of Network Security
Know what the types of network security are below. We have listed what is network security and its types that are available in the market.
1. Firewalls
Firewalls work as a wall. It builds a boundary between the private internal network and the external networks. The Internet is the best example of external networks. They either block the traffic or use specified rules to allow the entrance of the traffic. Firewalls are available in both hardware and software forms.
2. Email Security
The attackers frequently use email as a gateway to breach the security network. Very tactfully the attackers build phishing campaigns with the help of personal data. Subsequently, these fabricated campaign sites infected with malware are sent to recipients. Hence, email security technology is required to block these emails and secure the messages so that no confidential data gets leaked.
3. Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware Software
Malicious software is popularly known as Malware. It encompasses a variety of bad actors like viruses, Trojans, spyware, worms as well as ransomware. There is certain malware that can stay dormant for weeks after entering the network. Therefore, installing the best anti-malware is essential. The best anti-malware must be able to scan the entry of any malware. After that, it must be capable of tracking flies to find and remove malware. It should also have features to fix the damages caused by malware.
4. Network Segmentation
The main task of network segmentation is to classify network traffic. Enforcing security agreements gets easier with the assistance of this process. The network traffic is classified based on its IP addresses and endpoint identity. Right to access roles, location, and so on must be granted to a certain level so that only the authorized person can use them.
5. Access Control
Restricted access to noncompliant endpoint devices or blocking them can secure your system from potential cyber hackers. This procedure of safeguarding one's Computer network has been termed network access control (NAC).
6. Application Security
Both small and big companies use software to carry out their business. This software must be protected from external attacks. Attackers can easily breach software with the help of loopholes and vulnerabilities in any application. This is when application security is required to diminish these holes and vulnerabilities.
7. Behavioral Analytics
Behavioral Analytics automatically differentiates between normal network behavior and abnormal network behavior. This assists the security team in identifying the issue and resolving it.
8. Data Loss Prevention
Data loss prevention is also known as DLP. This technology prevents employees from misusing confidential data. People cannot send, upload, print, or forward sensitive data.
9. Intrusion Prevention Systems
The main purpose of IPS or Intrusion Prevention Systems is to scan and track network traffic to prevent cyber attacks. It can also track suspected flies across the network that are infected by malware. This prevents malware outbreaks.
10. Mobile Device Security
With the growth of smartphones, cyber attackers are now targeting mobile and mobile applications. Hence, mobile device security is required to control the external devices that have a permit to enter your network.
11. Security Information and Event Management
The products of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) collect the entire information that is necessary to identify threats and resolve them. SIEM products can be either virtual appliances or server software.
12. VPN
A virtual private network is popularly known as a VPN. It encodes a connection to a network. This takes place over the Internet. To establish a connection between the device and the network, a VPN uses either Secure Sockets or IPsec.
13. Web Security
Web Security is a term that describes the steps one takes to protect their website. It also safeguards a company's gateway on the internet site as well as in the cloud. It will also control the employees' web usage by blocking threats and withholding access to unsafe sites.
14. Wireless Security
Wired networks are more secure than wireless ones. Without security, it would be risky to install a wireless LAN. To prevent any sort of cyberattack you need to take precautions by instantly installing Wireless Security.
You must be wondering what network security tools are and how they are used. So here is a list of tools that are used for network security.
1. Wire Shark
Wire shark allows the company to apprehend real-time data. Along with that, it can track and manage traffic instantaneously. Being an open-source network analyzer, it can examine incoming and outgoing traffic. This helps to resolve network-related issues rapidly. Wireshark uses a considerable number of operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux.
2. Metasploit
Metasploit is a successful software that offers security and contains numerous tools. These tools are used by IT experts to improvise the security system, defense plans, and exposures of a system. It can also examine various servers, networks, and web apps. Metasploit improvises the entire security system and makes it more productive.
3. Nessus
Nessus Professional is security software. It can track bugs and regular protection issues in systems, applications, and devices. It can analyze cloud applications and prevent security breaches. It has the feature to scan individual computers and networks.
4. Aircrack
This software consists of a detector, WEP, packet sniffer, etc. Aircrack works with wireless networks. This software can run on Linux, macOS, Windows, etc.
5. Snort
Just like Wink shark, Snort is an open-source security device. The main purpose of Snort is to scan and track cyber threats that are existing in the network. It can also be used to track network traffic. Snort can identify any sign of unauthorized access and theft of data. Subsequently, in-built tools will help the users.
Why is Network Security so Important?
By now you know "What is computer network security?". Let us learn why network security is so essential! Here are a few most vital reasons why Network security is so important and gaining massive popularity.
- Network security is extremely necessary to safeguard the sensitive data of a company or a business. This data is one of the most treasured possessions of a company. The data generally comprises various confidential data, financial data along with marketing materials. Loss of the data will affect the companies monetarily. Hence, network security is advisable to use.
- Apart from their data, big businesses store various data of their clients. Network Security protects these client data as well. The system safeguards sensitive data by preventing the entry of bad actions and cyber attackers into the system.
- Ransomware attacks can be prevented with the help of network security. It is a very common and well-known malware that tends to deny users access to their data. And they have to pay the hacker to gain back the accessibility of their data. This is a threat to a Nation in general.
- With the assistance of network security, a company or start-up can enhance its performance. Work gets efficiently smooth when there are considerably fewer cyberattacks.
- There is a constant rise in cyber-attacks and the development of 5G contributes to this rise. Hence, it is very important to install network security to protect the system and the network.
- Cyber security is also important as a career field. The scope of cyber security is increasing at a rapid speed. Therefore, companies are hiring Cyber Security Specialists with lucrative remunerations and offers.
Benefits of Network Security
In the technological age, network security is extremely essential for companies. Here are a few benefits of Network Security:
- Organizations can easily protect the data and sensitive information of their customers from various external threats or bad actors. Cybercriminals usually surge cyber-attacks for monetary gains.
- Installation of Network Security protects the computer system from unsuspected internal threats. Humans are one of the biggest threats to any cyber security breach. Employees, third parties or partners can easily cause a cyber-attack. This attack may take place due to carelessness or intentionally.
- It also cuts off the extra expenses of an organization and protects the expensive losses by securing data. Adequate network security enhances business operations and the delivery of products to customers without any hindrance.
- Network Security protects the computer system as well as the network. Therefore, there is a huge demand for products. A reputation for a company also enriches due to fewer cyberattacks and quality services. This helps companies to gain trust among their clients.
Difference Between Cyber Security and Network Security
Cyber Security and Network Security might sound alike, however, they are not the same. Both of these securities are gaining rapid popularity. Let us see the various differentiations between these two:
| Cyber Security | Network Security |
|---|
| Cyber Security is a separate arena under information security. | Network Security is a sub-field of Cyber Security. |
| Cyber Security protects digital data present in the servers and devices in a comprehensive manner. | Network Security can only safeguard data that is in transit over a digital network. |
| It can protect anything present in cyberspace. | It can preserve anything present in network space. |
| Cyber Security includes safeguarding confidential data, website authentication, and updating information. | Network Security encompasses software updates, strong password protocols as well as multiple-factor authentication. |
| The main task of Cyber Security is to safeguard a company's data from cyber threats and crimes like phishing. | It safeguards a network from viruses, Trojans, DOS attacks, and worms. |
| Prominent job positions under Cyber Security are Cyber Security Architect and Cyber Security Analyst. | Common job options under Network Security include Network Security Architect and Network Security Engineer. |
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Conclusion
Companies around the globe are using the internet and computer networks. Therefore, cyberattacks are rising rapidly and are becoming uncontrollable. So, companies are using Network Security to safeguard sensitive and confidential data. Loss of such data will cost the company and face negative consequences. Hence, all companies should install a good Network Security system.
KnowledgeHut Cyber Security training programs will be beneficial for your career. The course will answer your queries like "What do you understand by the term network security?" and "What are different types of network security?". The program will enrich your knowledge as a Network Security analyst and help you with your job prospect.
