Understanding Network Security
Explore network security fundamentals, evolving challenges, and how legacy approaches are shifting in the age of cloud-based and distributed environments.
Network Security Basics
Essentials of network security
01
What is network security?
Traditional network security focuses on securing physical networks with tools like firewalls, VPNs, encryption, and intrusion detection systems.
02
How does network security work?
Typical network security models enforce predefined rules to block unauthorized access, detect threats, and control data flow within the network perimeter.
03
What are today’s biggest network security challenges?
Traditional models struggle to adapt to distributed networks, the cloud, IoT vulnerabilities, and evolving threats that bypass perimeter-based defenses.
The Role of Network Security
Why is network security important?
Prevents network-wide threats
Secures the network against large-scale external attacks, ensuring adversaries can’t breach defenses or disrupt operations.
Blocks threats from entering or spreading in the network
Contains threats like malware, compromised users, and security gaps inside the network or between internal systems.
Protects communications and data flows
Ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data exchanged between systems and endpoints.
Secures the network’s core infrastructure
Protects the servers, routers, hardware, and other connected devices critical to maintaining operations.
However, emerging technologies, access trends, and security needs have changed the landscape, and now …
Perimeter defenses like firewalls struggle to protect dynamic, distributed environments and remote endpoints because they can’t address evolving attack vectors targeting cloud-based systems.
Traditional models lack visibility into internal traffic and fail to implement microsegmentation, allowing threats like malware to move freely between compromised users and systems.
VPNs lack the scalability and agility to secure cloud-based communications, struggle to handle dynamic user access, and don’t integrate with modern zero trust frameworks.
Network appliances like firewalls rely on static controls and have limited capacity, making them unsuited for the complexity, diversity, and constant connectivity of IoT devices and hybrid systems.
Are VPNs Safe?
VPNs create encrypted tunnels for remote access, but inherent issues with VPN architecture are leading to a growing number of critical vulnerabilities.
Network Security Solutions
Key network security technologies
Network and endpoint security technologies work hand in hand to protect an organization’s most sensitive infrastructure.
ensure that only authorized users, devices, or applications can access systems or data by enforcing authentication, permissions, and least-privilege policies.
scans devices for malicious software, removing or quarantining identified threats using signature-based and sometimes heuristic detection methods.
monitor user, device, and network activity to identify anomalies, detect threats, and help prevent cyberattacks like insider breaches or account compromise.
tools prevent theft or leakage of sensitive data by monitoring, controlling, and encrypting data leaving endpoints, networks, or cloud environments.
deploys decoy assets alongside the real IT assets in a network to lure attackers, generating highly accurate alerts to help prevent breaches and reduce dwell time.
detects, analyzes, and responds to threats targeting network endpoints in real time, and enables forensic investigation and remediation.
sit between trusted and untrusted networks, monitoring and filtering incoming and outgoing traffic based on security rules to block unauthorized access and protect systems.
monitor networks for malicious activity and block identified threats in real time, protecting against unauthorized access or malware.
analyze suspicious files or apps in isolated environments to detect potential threats without risking harm to systems or networks.
divides a network into smaller sections to reduce attack surfaces, isolate sensitive systems, and prevent lateral movement of threats across the network.
sit at the network or cloud edge to inspect web traffic, block malicious websites, enforce policies, and prevent data breaches or malware downloads.
blocks access to harmful or restricted websites by evaluating URLs against a predefined database of allowed or malicious sites to enforce security policies effectively.
create encrypted tunnels between devices and networks, protecting data during transit and enabling remote access over connected networks.
protects devices and users from web-based threats by inspecting traffic, blocking suspicious sites, preventing malware downloads, and enforcing access policies.
Endpoint Security vs. Network Security: Why You Need Both
In the face of modern threats, it’s not enough to choose just one or the other.
Common Network Security Threats
Get to know key network security threats
Today’s complex networks face more threats than ever, and they’re constantly evolving.
Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks
disrupt internet-connected services by flooding their networks or servers with more traffic than they can process. Read more.
Insider threats
lead to data leakage or theft, originating from a user with access to a network’s sensitive data or systems, and can be malicious or accidental. Read more.
Malware
infiltrates IT systems to disrupt operations, steal data, or gain unauthorized access, often spreading by exploiting system and network vulnerabilities. Read more.
Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks
stealthily intercept communications between two parties in order to steal information, alter data, or inject malicious payloads. Read more.
Phishing attacks
trick users into divulging login credentials or downloading malware, which attackers can use to bypass network defenses and gain unauthorized access. Read more.
Ransomware
encrypts and/or steals data, often exploiting network vulnerabilities such as poor segmentation to spread, potentially causing network-wide disruption. Read more.
Zero-day vulnerabilities
exploit previously unknown weaknesses, often enabling attackers to bypass network defenses without being detected. Read more.
Use Case Deep Dives
Five Network Security Challenges
and How to Navigate Them with Zero Trust
Take an interactive product tour
Explore our zero trust solutions and capabilities in quick, clickable demos.
Zero Trust Essentials
Explore more topics
Browse our learning hubs–read up on fundamentals, use cases, benefits, and strategies.
FAQ
Network security encompasses several categories that protect systems, users, and data from threats at various levels to create a holistic network security strategy. These categories include:
- Perimeter security: Defends the network boundary with firewalls and intrusion prevention systems (IPS).
- Endpoint security: Protects individual devices with antivirus and endpoint detection and response (EDR).
- Application security: Monitors and secures applications against exploits like SQL injection.
- Data security: Protects sensitive information via encryption and access controls.
- Identity and access management (IAM): Ensures network users and devices are authenticated and authorized.
Network security faces various attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in systems, users, or applications to compromise data and operations. These attacks include:
- Phishing tricks users into divulging credentials or downloading malware.
- Ransomware encrypts or steals data and demands payment.
- DDoS attacks overload systems with excessive traffic to disrupt services.
- Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks intercept communications to steal or alter data.
- SQL injection exploits database queries to access or manipulate sensitive data.
Encryption secures network communications by encoding data, ensuring only authorized recipients can access it and protecting sensitive information during transmission. Benefits include:
- Preventing eavesdropping and interception of data
- Maintaining data integrity by preventing tampering during transit
- Securing sensitive information from unauthorized access
Organizations can reduce vulnerabilities and safeguard their networks by using a multilayered approach to minimize risk. Best practices include:
- Implementing strong multifactor authentication (MFA)
- Regularly patching and updating all software and systems
- Training employees on phishing awareness and cybersecurity practices
- Conducting penetration tests and risk assessments
- Adopting advanced tools like zero trust frameworks
Securing IoT devices is critical because they often lack built-in security. Organizations can protect their networks with proactive practices, such as:
- Changing default passwords and disabling unnecessary features
- Isolating IoT devices on separate, segmented networks
- Applying regular firmware updates and patches
- Monitoring IoT device activity for unusual patterns
- Reducing data collection to limit exposure of sensitive data
The principle of least privilege means users, systems, and applications receive only the minimal access needed to perform their duties. This limits potential misuse or exploitation of elevated access to sensitive resources. By enforcing strict access controls, organizations reduce insider threats, human error, and attackers’ ability to move laterally across a compromised network.
When a breach occurs, organizations need a swift response to minimize damage. Recommended steps include:
- Identifying and containing the breach
- Investigating the root cause using forensic tools and monitoring logs
- Fixing vulnerabilities and patching affected systems
- Communicating transparently with stakeholders and regulatory authorities
- Reviewing security protocols and implementing improved practices