Network Security

What Is Network Security, and Why Do We Need It?

Network security is the protection of your digital data from unauthorized access, hackers, theft, or misuse. When you implement a network security system, it involves enhancing your existing digital infrastructure or, in some cases, creating a new infrastructure to provide more protection against cyber threats.

Network security is meant to protect your entire network of devices, applications, and users across an organization or location. It is important for keeping sensitive data safe, such as passwords, financial information, personal identifying information, and anything else that may pose a personal or organizational threat if it were to be released.

Why Is Network Security Important in an Organization?

Implementing a reliable network security system is standard practice for organizations of all sizes. Doing so drastically reduces the chance of data and information being released that may compromise your operations.

Network security is used to protect:

• Personal identifying information of team members and clients
• Legal documents
• Financial information, such as account numbers and amounts exchanged
• Processes, systems, and information that are considered proprietary knowledge
• Confidential communications, like emails and phone calls

It is always good practice to have reliable network security, as even seemingly low-risk data can be used against your organization if it were to get in the wrong hands. It also ensures proper privacy and security for you and your clients.

How Does Network Security Work?

Network security is usually created from a system of hardware and software that are fitted onto your existing network to provide enhanced security. This hardware and software may include things like:

• Firewalls
• Security Switches
• VPNs
• Security Cameras
• Network Segmentation
• Intrusion Prevention Systems

The core method of how most network security technologies work is by controlling two things: authentication and authorization.

Authentication verifies that the user who is trying to access a certain area is in fact the user they claim to be, while authentication ensures that only certain users have access to certain areas and information.

Authentication and authorization are done by implementing features that require:

• Password or key entry
• Confirmation of personal data
• Controlling access based on IP address or location
• Assigning different roles to different users within a network

By ensuring only authorized users can access sensitive information, network security decreases the risk of cybersecurity threats from inside and outside actors alike.

What Are Network Security Threats?

Network security threats are any type of attack or weakness in your network that can potentially result in compromising your data’s security.

Threats can take a variety of shapes and forms. Viruses, worms, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, phishing attacks, and a variety of other threats can seriously jeopardize your organization’s data. In general, there are four main types of network threats:

• Internal Threats: These threats originate from individuals who have authorized access to your network. They may be current or past employees, clients, or partners who have access to sensitive data or have insider knowledge on how to gain access to sensitive data. Internal attackers compromise, release, or use your information to conduct theft, sabotage, or blackmail.
• External Threats: External threats originate from individuals outside your organization who don’t have authorized access to your network. These threats usually come from hackers.
• Unstructured Threats: Unstructured threats are general, unfocused attacks that may target one or more network systems with viruses, worms, Trojan horses, or other methods. While these attacks can be intentionally malicious, they are often done for sport without any particular agenda.
• Structured Threats: These threats intentionally target one or more organizations and are usually done by more experienced and sophisticated hackers. Structured attacks are more likely to have a malicious motive and have more serious consequences for your organization.

How Can I Implement Security in a Network?

Implementing network security may seem complicated, but it actually only involves setting up a few key technologies. To ensure maximum network security, you should:

• Install a UTM firewall or security appliance
• Create a virtual private network (VPN)
• Set up security switches
• Use security cameras, if applicable
• Regularly update passwords and encourage long, complex passwords
• Utilize encryption for sensitive communication
• Create authentication processes at important access points

Network security hardware and software for organizations of all sizes are available through MyITHub, but with so many security products and appliances out there, it can be difficult choosing the ones that work best for your requirements.

Our team at MyITHub can suggest the best possible appliances to ensure your business stays secure and safe. Start shopping now and protect your data, or get in touch with us for help deciding on the right appliances for you.