Computer network security measures
In order to provide as many security controls as feasible, network security uses a multi-layered, or defense-in-depth, strategy with a variety of tools, technologies, policies, and processes. These consist of both software and hardware fixes.
Typical elements and kinds of network security measures consist of:
Firewalls
These create a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external networks (such as the internet) by filtering incoming and outgoing network traffic according to pre-established rules. Contemporary firewalls, like Cisco Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs), come equipped with sophisticated features including integrated intrusion prevention systems and application inspection.
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Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS)
An IPS goes one step further by actively blocking identified malicious traffic based on known attack patterns (signatures), whereas an IDS keeps an eye on network traffic for suspicious activity and notifies administrators without blocking the danger.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
VPNs protect data while it is being transferred between devices by establishing safe, encrypted connections over public networks. Frequently employing protocols like IPsec or SSL, they offer data integrity, confidentiality, authentication, and anti-replay capabilities.
Access Control
Usually including user authentication (such as usernames and passwords) and authorization based on roles and permissions, this makes sure that only authorized users and devices can access network resources. In order to implement security regulations and restrict or ban non-compliant endpoint devices, Network Access Control (NAC) systems leverage user and device identification. Only the bare minimum of access needed for a job is granted via zero-trust network access.
Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software
The purpose of antivirus and anti-malware software is to identify, stop, and eliminate harmful software, including Trojan horses, worms, viruses, and ransomware.
Encryption
The process of transforming data into a code for storage and transmission that guards against unwanted access.
Network Segmentation
To reduce the impact of a security breach and enforce security rules based on endpoint identity, a network can be divided into smaller, isolated segments.
Security Policies and Procedures
Official papers created with management support that outline acceptable conduct, minimum password lengths, data processing, and sanctions for infractions.
Physical Security
Using locks, alarms, and biometric systems to prevent physical risks like theft or damage to network hardware and infrastructure sites (such as data centers and network closets).
Frequent Security Audits and Monitoring
Gathering information about network activity, examining logs to identify and address security events, and conducting recurring evaluations of network vulnerabilities to make sure safeguards are current and efficient.
User Awareness and Training
Because users frequently pose a serious risk because of their access credentials, it is essential to educate users on security policies and procedures.
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Least Privilege
Providing users or devices with just the bare minimum of access necessary to complete a given task.
Device hardening
To lessen possible attack surfaces, network devices’ unused services, functions, and interfaces are disabled.
Management Plane Protection
Specific security protocols (such as SSH, HTTPS, and SNMPv3) for controlling network device traffic in order to guarantee safe configuration and monitoring.
Port Security
By examining source MAC addresses, this function on switches limits an interface to only enable devices that are supposed to utilize it, avoiding unwanted connections. It features different MAC address learning techniques (Static, Dynamic, Sticky), as well as violation modes like Shutdown, Restrict, and Protect.
DHCP Snooping
This Layer 2 security feature verifies DHCP communications to stop rogue DHCP servers and serves as a firewall between trusted and untrusted hosts.
Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI)
This security feature verifies ARP communications to stop attacks like ARP spoofing.
BPDU Guard and Root Guard
These features guard against malicious or unintentionally installed switches by, for instance, blocking a port in the event that a BPDU is received.
Wireless Security
Particular precautions for networks that use wireless technology, which is by nature less secure because data is transferred over the air. This includes robust encryption techniques like AES (used by WPA2 and WPA3) and authentication techniques like 802.1x/EAP.
Endpoint security
Defense against malware that can infect end-user devices, such as laptops, desktop computers, and mobile devices, through web browsing or email. Host-based anti-malware software is one solution.
Email security
Usually achieved by filtering incoming and outgoing communications, this technique guards against hostile campaigns like phishing and illegal access to email accounts and their contents.
Sandboxing
A cybersecurity strategy in which code or files are run in a safe, isolated environment that mimics end-user computers. This allows for the detection of potentially dangerous activity before providing access to the network.
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Cloud Network Security
Considering cloud environments’ growing interaction with on-site data centers, safeguarding data, workloads, and applications stored there.
Web Security
Solutions that restrict access to harmful websites, stop web-based risks, and manage employee internet usage, safeguarding web gateways both locally and in the cloud. It also includes protecting an organization’s own website.
Application Security
Security measures applied at the application level to prevent data theft or code capture, including during development and design.
Industrial Network Security
Increased visibility and segmentation of industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) networks to protect against cyber threats arising from IT-OT integration.
Behavioral Analytics
Analyzing network behavior to detect and alert organizations to abnormal activities automatically.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Tools that monitor data (in use, in motion, at rest) to detect and prevent data breaches, often by classifying sensitive data and training employees on best practices.
Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
Requiring two or more factors to verify a user’s identity (e.g., password plus a code from an app).
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
Logging data from applications and network hardware and monitoring for suspicious behavior, alerting administrators to anomalies.
Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP)
A security method that conceals the network from attackers and unauthorized users by creating a virtual boundary around networked resources based on identity criteria.
Workload Security
Protecting data contained in workloads distributed across multiple devices and cloud/hybrid environments, which can increase potential attack surfaces.
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