Network Security refers to the policies, practices, and technologies used to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of computer networks and data as it travels through or is stored in them. It involves both hardware and software solutions designed to prevent unauthorized access, misuse, malfunction, or data theft.
The core of network security is built around the CIA triad and a few foundational principles:
Ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive data.
Prevents data breaches and eavesdropping.
Techniques: Encryption, access control, VPNs
Ensures that data is accurate and has not been altered during transmission or storage.
Protects against tampering and man-in-the-middle attacks.
Techniques: Hashing, checksums, digital signatures
Ensures that authorized users have reliable access to network resources when needed.
Defends against attacks like DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service).
Techniques: Redundancy, load balancing, failover systems
Confirms the identity of users and devices before allowing access to the network.
Techniques: Passwords, biometrics, multi-factor authentication (MFA), digital certificates
Determines what an authenticated user or system is allowed to access or do.
Techniques: Role-based access control (RBAC), access control lists (ACLs)
Ensures that actions and transactions cannot be denied after the fact.
Provides accountability in case of misuse or breach.
Techniques: Digital signatures, audit logs
Involves continuously monitoring the network to detect and respond to threats.
Tools: Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS), SIEM tools, firewalls
Firewalls
Antivirus/Antimalware
Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
Network Access Control (NAC)
Encryption Protocols (e.g., TLS, IPsec).
Network security is a layered approach, using different types of protections to safeguard the network from various threats. Here's a breakdown of the main types of network security and what they do:
Acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks.
Controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on security rules.
Can be hardware-based, software-based, or cloud-based.
Example : Blocking access to a network from suspicious IP addresses.
IDS: Monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and alerts administrators.
IPS: Goes further by actively blocking or preventing those threats.
Example: Detecting and blocking a port scanning attempt.
Creates a secure, encrypted tunnel for remote users to access a private network.
Protects data from being intercepted on public Wi-Fi or untrusted networks.
Example: Employees accessing company resources from home securely.
Restricts who and what devices can connect to the network.
Enforces security policies (e.g., up-to-date antivirus required before access).
Example: Denying access to a laptop that lacks necessary security updates.
Scans and removes malicious software that could infect or damage network systems.
Provides real-time protection against threats like viruses, worms, ransomware.
Example: Blocking a trojan embedded in an email attachment.
Monitors and prevents unauthorized data transfer outside the organization.
Protects sensitive data like customer records or trade secrets.
Example: Preventing an employee from emailing confidential files to a personal email.
Filters out phishing attempts, spam, and malware from email communications.
Often includes link scanning and attachment sandboxing.
Example: Blocking a phishing email that tries to harvest login credentials.
Protects users from accessing malicious websites or downloading harmful content.
Can include URL filtering, web gateways, and DNS protection.
Example: Blocking access to known malware-hosting domains.
Secures Wi-Fi networks against unauthorized access and eavesdropping.
Uses encryption protocols like WPA3, strong passwords, and hidden SSIDs.
Example: Preventing a hacker from intercepting traffic on an open Wi-Fi.
Divides a network into smaller segments to contain breaches.
Uses VLANs or subnets to isolate sensitive areas from the rest of the network.
Example: Keeping the guest Wi-Fi separate from internal company systems.
| CYBERSECURITY | NETWORK SECURITY |
|---|---|
| 1. Securing digital data and protecting it from any dangerous content detected in cyberspace are collectively referred to as cybersecurity. | 1. One of the key elements of cyber security is network security, which safeguards every component found in the network space |
| 2. Addressing cyber threats in the online environment is the primary objective of cybersecurity. | 2. Protecting against network-specific threats, such as data exfiltration and attempted network intrusions, is the primary goal of network security. |
| 3. Compared to network security, cybersecurity incorporates numerous layers of protection by applying restricted security measures, including strict authorisation, encryption, access control, and many more. | 3. The goal of network security is to safeguard the network infrastructure by putting in place particular technologies and protocols, such as firewalls, network segmentation, and many more |
| 4. To safeguard digital property on multiple platforms and reduce cyber threats, cybersecurity specialists are in charge of creating and executing security policies, processes, and technology. | 4. To guarantee that the network infrastructure is resilient against cyberattacks and follows effective security practices, network security professionals concentrate on the creation, implementation, and upkeep of safety precautions that are exclusively designed for the network infrastructure. |
| 5. Cybersecurity aids in protecting private information against loss or improper usage. | 5. Network security can enhance a network's performance and dependability by avoiding restrictions and ensuring that resources are deployed properly. |
| 6. Cybersecurity defends against a variety of dangers, including ransomware, other online attacks, and more. | 6. Network security offers resistance against outside dangers such as hackers and malware |
| 7. Cybersecurity not only lessens the impact of extreme financial losses that an organisation might have to encounter due to a sinful cybercrime but also strengthens the organisation's overall safety stance. | 7. Cybersecurity not only lessens the impact of extreme financial losses that an organisation might have to encounter due to a sinful cybercrime but also strengthens the organisation's overall safety stance. |
Cyber security is the overarching discipline that defends digital systems and data from a wide range of threats.
Network security is a critical component of cyber security focused on safeguarding the network layer specifically.
