Unless you’ve been living in a cabin in the middle of a forgotten forest for the past few years, you’re undoubtedly aware of the significant number of cybersecurity threats running rampant throughout the globe.
Whether it’s all those crazy supply chain disruptions caused by poor network security, phishing attempts that dupe unsuspecting executives into releasing confidential information, or an advanced persistent threat, the threat landscape is riddled with security threats.
That’s why it’s so vital to bolster and improve your company’s network security right now. Modern network security can be a tough nut to crack for some companies. Today, we’ll talk about what network security is, why it’s important, and how to do it better at your organization.
What Is It?
Network security is a complex and nuanced topic. In layman’s terms, it’s a set of rules and configurations used by an organization to protect its digital assets, network, hardware, and software. Without a robust network security procedure, it can be challenging on the best of days. Think of it this way: you wouldn’t leave your bike off a chain, unlocked in the middle of a parking lot. It would likely be stolen or vandalized almost immediately.
The same thing can happen to your network. If an attacker or intruder spots a vulnerability, they’re going to take advantage of it. Proper network security procedures keep your company’s data and its systems safe. This, in turn, keeps your operation free from disruptions and breaches. Continued business helps your company earn more, protects your reputation, and safeguards both customer and organizational data.
Key Elements
To get the most out of your network security, you must understand its key elements. Authentication—verifying identity and authorized access though passwords and MFA—is a vital step because it prevents unauthorized access to your systems. It can also establish more secure communication through the network. Authorization also plays a pivotal role in good network security by granting specific resources to restricted users. This limited access approach makes for fewer hands in the pot. Known better as the principle of least privilege, it limits privileges throughout the organization. That means anyone without the bright privileges can’t install software, delete things, or inadvertently create unauthorized access points. This reinforces security and can prevent malicious intrusions, ultimately keeping your systems more secure. Other aspects of network security, like intrusion detection, data loss prevention systems, and encryption help ensure data can’t be read by others (encryption), traffic gets monitored for signs of malicious activity (IDS/IPS systems), and preventing unauthorized access (DLP).
Challenges
The challenges involved in network security are massive. Criminals and hackers are always seeking and developing new methods of attacking networks. Some organizations lack the resources to stave them off, while others don’t have strong safety procedures in place. The complexity of networks makes them more challenging to secure. And a security breach can be extremely damaging and deleterious to an affected company. Businesses must adopt a multilayered approach to security. This includes encryption, securing physical assets, and setting up identity access management controls (IAM). Thankfully, these procedures can help bolster security. And better security leads to fewer headaches and reduced business impacts long-term. Not only that, but by overcoming some of these network security challenges, you can reduce the costs associated with an attack.
Best Practices
To keep your network secure, you must get ahead of the game. That means using a mix of different best practices to secure your network. Start by implementing strong security controls. Set up a firewall, antivirus programs, DLP systems, and IPS systems. All of these can monitor and prevent costly attacks. Additionally, educating employees about security and risks is a must. Employees should know how to protect the company’s assets, protect themselves, and avoid causing unnecessary risk to the organization’s network. Keeping software up to date protects it from Vulnerabilities and creating backups can help you recover data in the event of loss, theft, or corruption. Just like you wouldn’t go on a hike without some extra food and water, you shouldn’t go very long without backing up your data. Network security management software can also help identify blind spots on your network, giving you more insight—and control—over emergent and extant threats, making it a necessity for powerful network security at your business.
Conclusion
Network security is an invaluable tool for protecting organizations from a wide range of potential threats. It’s prudent for any company to take the time and make the effort to ensure strong security controls. Whether it’s educating employees, introducing enhanced cybersecurity protocols, or keeping everything updated, organizations can benefit from proper network security. When you take these measures into account and use them wisely, your business can rest easy knowing that their data will remain secure and protected, even in the face of emerging threats.
