What are the types of network security protection?

Network security is critical as it protects sensitive data from cyber-attacks and guarantees that the network is usable and reliable. A wide range of security tools, both hardware, and software, is used in network security management. Security becomes more critical as networks become more complex and organizations become more reliant on their networks and data to conduct business.

Methods of enforcing security strive to evolve in conjunction with networks and attack methods. It intends to prevent breaches by minimizing risk on the network. Regardless of the technology or organizational security plan used, security is typically framed as everyone's duty because every user on the network significantly represents a potential vulnerability in that network.

Types of network security protection

Some of the critical network security protection tools and techniques are explained below:

Firewall

Firewalls use predefined security rules to regulate incoming and outgoing network traffic. Firewalls essentially keep malicious traffic out and are a necessary aspect of everyday computing. Network security primarily relies on firewalls, particularly next-generation firewalls, designed to thwart malware and application-layer attacks.

Note: To know more about firewalls, click here.

Network segmentation

Network segmentation specifies the boundaries between network segments in which assets in the group share a common function, risk, or responsibility within an organization.

For example, a perimeter gateway separates an enterprise network from the Internet. Potential risks from outside the network are avoided, which ensures that sensitive data within an enterprise remains secure. Organizations can go even further by setting additional internal network boundaries and enhancing security and access control.

Access control

Access control defines the people or groups, and the devices, that have access to network applications and systems, limiting unauthorized access and risks.

• Integrations with identity and access management technologies assist in identifying the user.

• Role-based access control (RBAC) policies verify that the person and device have permission to access the resources.

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Remote access VPN

Remote access VPN permits individual hosts or clients to access a company network remotely and securely. Typically, each host has installed VPN client software or a web-based client. Multi-factor authentication, endpoint compliance scanning, and encryption of all transferred data safeguard the privacy and integrity of sensitive information.

Note: To read more about types of technologies, click here.

Zero trust network access (ZTNA)

According to the zero trust security model, users should only have the access and permissions necessary to perform their duty. This is a significantly different approach than typical security solutions, such as VPNs, which provide users full access to the target network.

Zero trust network access (ZTNA), also known as software-defined perimeter (SDP) solutions, enables granular access to an organization's applications for users who need it to perform their tasks.

Email security

Email security refers to methods and services designed to keep email accounts and content safe from outside attacks. Most email service providers offer built-in email security features to keep us safe, but these may not be sufficient to prevent hackers from accessing sensitive information.

Sandboxing

Sandboxing is a cybersecurity approach that involves running code or opening files on a host machine in a safe, isolated environment that resembles end-user operating environments. Sandboxing monitors files or programs when opened and looks for harmful activity to prevent threats from entering the network.

Malware in files such as PDF, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can be safely recognized and blocked before they reach an unwary end user.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Data loss prevention is a cybersecurity methodology that combines technology and best practices to prevent sensitive information from being exposed outside of an organization. It includes mainly regulated data such as personally identifiable information (PII) and compliance-related data.

Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)

Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) technology can identify and block network security threats such as brute force attacks, DoS attacks, and exploits of known vulnerabilities. A vulnerability is a flaw in a software system, and an exploit is an attack that takes advantage of that vulnerability to acquire control of that system.

When an exploit is disclosed, attackers generally get a window of opportunity to exploit that vulnerability before the security patch is deployed. An IPS can be employed to hold back these attacks quickly.

Hyperscale network security

The ability of an architecture to scale effectively as additional demand is added to the system is referred to as hyperscale. This solution allows for quick deployment as well as scaling up or down to meet changing network security demands.

Cloud network security

Applications and workloads are no longer solely hosted on-premises in a local data center. Protecting the modern data center requires considerable flexibility and innovation to keep up with the migration of application workloads to the cloud.

Network security solutions are made possible in private, public, hybrid, and cloud-hosted Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) deployments by software-defined networking and software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) technologies.

Conclusion

Network security is necessary to safeguard client data, keep shared data secure, ensure dependable access and network performance, and protect against cyber threats. A well-designed network security solution reduces operational expenses while protecting enterprises from severe damages caused by data breaches or other security incidents. Legitimate access to systems, applications, and data enables enterprises to operate and provide customer service.