Network security is an organization's strategy to protect the usability and integrity of your network assets and traffic. It includes the implementations of both hardware and software security technologies. Effective network security manages access to the network. It targets threats and stops them from entering or spreading into your network.
Solid network security combines multiple layers of defenses at the edge and in the network. Each network security layer implements policies and controls. Authorized users are able to gain access to network resources, but malicious actors are blocked and prevented from carrying out any threats.
Here are several types of network security to consider
Access Control - To keep out potential attackers not every user should have access to your network and you need to recognize each user and each device. That way you can enforce your security policies and block noncompliant endpoint devices or give limited access. This process is network access control.
Antivirus software - A variety of Malware including viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware can will sometimes infect a network. By deploying Anti-Malware software that not only scans for malware upon entry but also continuously tracks files afterword in order to spot anomalies and remove malware and fix damage is the best way to combat these malicious programs.
Application Security - Any software you use to run your business needs to be protected. Application security is the hardware, software and processes you use to close holes and vulnerabilities in your applications.
Data Loss Prevention - Businesses need to set policies and make sure their staff does not send sensitive information outside the network. Data Loss Prevention technologies can stop people from uploading, forwarding, or even printing critical information unsafely.
Email Security - Email is the number one threat area for a security breach. Attackers use personal information and social engineering tactics to build sophisticated phishing campaigns to deceive recipients and send them to sites serving up malware. An email security application blocks incoming attacks and controls outbound messages to prevent the loss of sensitive data.
Firewalls - A Firewall is a security solution that puts a barrier between your trusted internal network and untrusted outside networks like the Internet. Firewall's allow you to create a set of rules to allow or block traffic.
Intrusion Prevention Systems - An intrusion prevention system scans network traffic to actively block attacks.
Network Segmentations - A software defined segmentation allows you to assign rights based on role, location, etc so that the right level of access is given to the right people.
VPN - A virtual private network (VPN) is an encrypted tunnel connection from endpoint to a network over the Internet. It uses an IPSec or secure sockets to authenticate the communication between endpoints on your network.
Web Security - Web security solutions control your web use, block web-based threats and deny malicious websites. This can also refer to steps you take to protect your own website.
Wireless Security - Wireless networks are not as secure as wired networks. A wireless WAN without security is like putting Ethernet ports everywhere. To prevent unwanted network breaches you need wireless security protocols such as WEP,WPA, etc.
Network security or more commonly Cyber Security is of vital importance to any business network. Even by taking a few simple steps you can greatly improve your network security.
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