The Importance of Network Security
What is network security? It is the practice of implementing policies and procedures to secure networked computers. In computer parlance, network security is also referred to as the security of networked systems. It consists of the policies and procedures adopted to stop unauthorized access, modification, and abuse of a computer network. There are a variety of security policies and procedures in place to ensure that network security is maintained and enhanced for the purpose of providing robust network protection. One such policy or procedure is the use of anti-virus software.
The rapid increase in the number of cyber attacks and viruses on critical infrastructure systems
and information have prompted the need for robust countermeasures against cyber-attacks. A major aim of most businesses to secure their networks from cyber-attacks is the prevention of financial losses, compromise of internal system information and integrity, and disruption of normal business operations. Hence, the need has been created for the implementation of effective and efficient network security systems. Network security is an important aspect of overall corporate security policies and procedures.
Today’s sophisticated technologies and complex Internet-based applications have enhanced the ability of attackers to attack networks. These cyber Attacks cause a number of potential issues including data loss, interruption of networks, system downtime, and data theft. In order to defend against these attacks, it is important to deploy and implement comprehensive security policies and procedures. The most common means of protecting networks from attacks are Firewalls and anti-virus programs. These measures, when coupled with application security and data-loss prevention strategies, form a strong framework for network security.
In order to strengthen network security, a company needs to have a properly implemented intrusion prevention system (IPISS). A properly implemented iPAQ or wireless security appliance is an ideal platform for implementing an intrusion prevention system. This is because: iPAQs and wireless security appliances are designed to be managed remotely; they have advanced monitoring capabilities to identify, assess, and counter security threats; they have various failure modes and user configurable parameters; and they are inherently secure as they run on open networking. By properly configuring iPAQs and wireless security appliances, companies can protect their networks from a variety of attacks including:
Firewalls are one of the most common means of protecting networks from a variety of threats. Companies can use both public and private firewalls for securing access to their data and systems. Public firewalls are designed to prevent unauthorized access on a global scale while private firewalls are used to mitigate network security risks specific to a business or organization.
Apart from preventing unauthorized access to network traffic, a firewall also prevents traffic
that is malicious or dangerous in nature from penetrating the network. Traffic that is malicious or dangerous in nature is referred to as non-security traffic. The presence of firewall security tools greatly reduces the amount of non-security traffic entering a network. Some of the popular firewalls that can be used to mitigate network traffic include ZoneAlarm, Norton, NetSight, Zone Privilege Guard, and McAfee.
- Another key aspect of network security is data backup.
- Ensuring that sensitive data is stored in a secure location helps to ensure that any potential security breach does not have the chance to affect the rest of the company’s network.
- MS SQL databases for example are often used to store important
information regarding the operations of a company. By storing the database offline, even if a database crash occurs, an entire business can be restored to normal operation in case a critical MS SQL Server problem occurs.
Networking is an essential component for running businesses today. By developing a plan to protect your company against all threats, you can improve the likelihood that your company will remain profitable and remain competitive in today’s market. The development of information security awareness can help you better manage the risks associated with your network’s vulnerabilities. This will make it easier for you to identify and respond to potential threats quickly and in a manner that enhances network security.