In our seven-part blog series on comprehensive security measures, we delve into the crucial components that form a robust defense against cyberthreats. In part 3, we focus on network security, the frontline defense of your digital assets.
Network security encompasses various practices and tools to protect whatever is going into and out of your company networks. By understanding and implementing effective network security strategies, you can safeguard your organization from unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and data breaches. Below are some of the best ways to strengthen your network security today.
Zero trust network access (ZTNA)
ZTNA is a strategy that dictates companies should never automatically trust any entity, whether it is inside or outside their network perimeter. Instead, every access request is rigorously verified before being granted, regardless of the user, device, or location.
This approach significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access by recognizing that network threats can originate both externally and internally. It involves enforcing stringent access and physical controls as needed. Users don’t get full access to everything, either. In a ZTNA framework, each user is granted the minimum access privileges necessary to perform their job.
Behavioral analytics
Behavioral analytics involves tracking and evaluating user actions within a network to identify irregularities that could signal a security threat. Network monitoring tools will first set a benchmark for typical behavior and activity patterns, such as login times, access to specific resources, and typical data transfer volumes. By continuously comparing current activities against this benchmark, the system can identify deviations that may signal malicious intent or compromised accounts.
For example, if an employee who typically accesses the network during regular business hours suddenly starts logging in at odd times and downloading large amounts of data, behavioral analytics would flag this activity as suspicious. Similarly, if a device begins communicating with unfamiliar external servers or exhibiting unusual traffic patterns, it can indicate a potential breach or malware infection. Not only can behavioral analytics spot intruders, but it can also aid in identifying insider threats.
Cybersecurity tools
There are various cybersecurity tools and applications available for enhancing network security. For starters, firewall systems can monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic to prevent network-based attacks. Next-generation firewalls are even equipped with advanced features such as intrusion prevention to better inspect network traffic and uncover malicious code before it gets into your network.
Implementing end-to-end encryption can also safeguard your company’s data from being compromised during transmission over networks. Antivirus software is another crucial network security component, as it can detect and remove malicious programs from harming your systems.
Finally, security information and event management tools enable you to centrally collect, analyze, and correlate log data from various network devices and applications. Using this information, security experts and system administrators can promptly detect and respond to threats.
Network segmentation
Network segmentation is the practice of partitioning a larger network into smaller, distinct segments or subnets. Each segment functions as its own isolated network, complete with dedicated security measures and policies tailored to its specific requirements. Network segmentation limits the ability of cyberthreats to spread across your entire network, which minimizes potential damage.
Additionally, segmenting your network enhances performance by reducing congestion and improving efficiency. By isolating traffic into different subnets, you can prevent unnecessary data flow between different parts of your network, thus optimizing network performance. This also makes it easier to monitor and manage network traffic.
Access controls
Only authorized users should be able to access your network, and access controls help you enforce that. From a centralized console, system administrators can determine and grant access privileges based on user roles, devices, location, and more. For instance, employees in your finance department can have exclusive access to financial records but are not permitted to access them while connected to public Wi-Fi networks. Such granular control over access privileges is especially useful for managing a distributed workforce.
Access controls must be regularly reviewed for changes, particularly when employees change roles or leave the company.
Cloud network security
Securing cloud environments has become a top priority for most businesses. Cloud service providers usually provide advanced security features, such as encryption, firewalls, and patch management to keep a slew of threats at bay. Many cloud services even employ multifactor authentication and role-based access controls so you have finer control over your cloud environment.
Looking to improve your network security? Our team at Spectrumwise can assist you through our “7 Layers of Security” package — a comprehensive suite of security solutions that covers all aspects of data protection, from physical controls to ongoing system maintenance. Keep your assets protected, by booking a consultation today.
