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Network Security

What is network security?

Network security refers to the set of technologies, policies, and practices used to protect computer networks and their data from cyberattacks, unauthorized access, data loss, or disruption. It ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and systems within the network.

Why is network security important?

The following are the reasons why it is important for an organization to ensure the security of their networks:

• Protects client’s sensitive data: Organizations have a responsibility to protect their clients' sensitive data from unauthorized access and usage. If, due to an attack, unauthorized access or misuse of data occurs, it will result in a huge loss of trust and significant damage to the organization’s reputation.
• Safeguards the organization’s own assets: It is equally important to protect the organization’s own intellectual property, marketing strategies, ideologies, and internal communications that contain most of the major business decisions. Losing such data can lead to the loss of competitive advantage and harm long-term business growth.
• Prevents cyber attacks: When a cyber attack occurs on a network, it can lead to serious disruptions in business operations and consequences such as network downtime and data breaches. This is why it is essential for organizations to have a well-planned network security strategy in place.
• Ensures legal compliance: Organizations must comply with international regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and others to operate within certain regions and sectors. Failure to meet these regulations can result in severe penalties and, in some cases, loss of business too.
• Ensures business continuity: Network security not only ensures data protection and guards against cyberattacks but also helps maintain business continuity by minimizing downtime and supporting operational resilience.

What are the main network security threats?

As networks provide a large surface area for cyber attacks, attackers will try to use the network's loop holes and vulnerability to penetrate the network. The following are the most common cyberattacks that threaten network security:

• Phishing : This is a type of cyber attack intended to steal a user's sensitive information like bank account details, passwords, and other personal information. In this type of attack, the attackers lure their targets by masking their identity and pretending to be from a trusted source.
• Malware : Attackers deliver malicious code or software as an attachment or through embedded URLs in emails. The goal is to infect the target user’s computer and gain access to sensitive data when the victim unknowingly downloads the attachment or clicks the URL. Cybercriminals use different types of malware, such as Trojans, ransomware, spyware, and worms, to take control of a user’s system, monitor their activity, steal confidential information, or demand ransom to restore access to their data.
• Insider threat: An insider threat refers to risks posed by individuals with access to an organization’s physical or digital assets. These can include current or former employees, contractors, vendors, or business partners who have, or once had, authorized access to the organization's network and systems.
• DDOS attacks: This is a cyberattack that prevents legitimate users from accessing a service, usually by flooding the host or network with traffic until it crashes. DDoS attack is a variant of DOS attack that use many compromised devices to launch coordinated attacks.
• Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks: This is a type of cyberattack in which an attacker intercepts communication between two parties (e.g.: user and web application), without the knowledge of both the parties. This act of being in the middle, hidden in between the conversation, will allow the attacker to eavesdrop, alter, or steal data.
• Unpatched network vulnerabilities: The weaknesses or flaws within a network's design, implementation, or operation are referred to as network vulnerabilities. Common examples for these vulnerabilities include outdated software, misconfigured hardware, weak security protocols, or human error. Attackers can make use of the loopholes created by these vulnerabilities in the network to perform an attack on the network.