Network Security, Explained

Network Security, Explained

In today’s increasingly digital environment, network security is a critical part of any business environment. Without network security, essential corporate systems, business data and the personal information of customers are vulnerable to outside threats, posing significant financial, operational and reputational risks. Effective network security uses a wide range of measures to keep business operations safe.

What Is Network Security?

Network security involves many different types of policies and controls to protect the accessibility, integrity and confidentiality of a network and data. A network should be reliable, providing strong uptime and keeping the data of the company and its customers safe from malware, leaks and exploitation. A strong network security solution will also be one that can help save costs through reduced overhead expenses and a minimized risk of costly data breaches or other security problems.

How Does Network Security Work?

Network security is all about building up multiple layers of defenses in and around a network, with various policies, controls and systems in each one. Between hardware, software and cloud service components, network security focuses on principles like authentication and authorization. The goal is to allow the right users to access the resources they need while keeping any malicious parties out of important data.

Some of the things network security systems protect against include:

• Viruses, worms and trojans.
• Spyware, adware and ransomware.
• Unauthorized access.
• Data leaks.
• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.
• Data destruction.

The Types of Network Security

With so many different safeguards in place, it’s no surprise that there are many types of network security out there:

• Firewalls: A network firewall applies security rules to the incoming and outgoing traffic to the network, blocking any malicious traffic or malware.
• Network segmentation: Network segments can be defined and separated, so certain assets are grouped by their function or risk level. This setup can offer better security and performance and allow for unique access control at each segment.
• Access control and authentication: An access control and authentication system validates user identities before granting access to network systems. These users should be carefully defined and granted access based on their roles. Another component of access control is checking that users are accessing the network via secure endpoints that won’t endanger the system or data.
• Data loss prevention: Data loss prevention involves monitoring data being sent and received to minimize the chances of personally identifiable information (PII) from being released outside the organization. This prevention can involve technology, like email and file transfer scans, or practices, such as training requirements for employees.
• Remote access virtual private networks (VPNs): These VPNs allow individuals to gain secure access to a network from a remote endpoint. They’re often used by telecommuters, mobile users and extranet users to provide access to necessary data without risking privacy.
• Network monitoring and detection: Continuous monitoring of the network can use a wide range of applications to monitor traffic and respond appropriately. These systems might include intrusion prevention and detection systems as well as security information and event management.

Your Partner in Network Security

One of the most important components of your network’s health is security, and that’s especially true if you work in a sensitive industry like health care or finance. At DataSpan, professional networking security is one of our specialties. We can deliver well-rounded network security solutions built to the unique landscape of your business. To learn more about our network security options, reach out to an expert today!