What are the benefits and different types of network security?

The practise of taking preventive measures to protect your network and its underlying infrastructure against misuse, data breaches, failure, unauthorised access, or downtime is referred to as network security. When your network is not secure, your data and that of your customers is in danger of being lost or stolen.

 

Network security includes hardware and software solutions as well processes and best practices which your staff should follow. Depending on the size and threat level of the network, different network security strategies may be employed.

 

The following are the main types of network security which are needed by every business:

Network Access Control
Network Access Control (NAC) is when you decide who has access to your network and who does not. This is accomplished by determining which devices and users are permitted access to your network. You can then implement various security restrictions, such as barring specific devices or IP addresses and limiting what individual users can do on your network. Behavioural analytic tools can also be used to distinguish between normal and suspicious behaviour, with automated alerts sent to your IT department if anything is out of the ordinary.

Firewalls
A firewall is a barrier between your internal network and the wider internet. This allows you to control which incoming and outgoing connections are permitted, this can prevent your employees accessing unwanted or unsecure website as well as blocking malicious connection attempts from outside actors.

Email Security
Email security is extremely crucial for your business and considering that email gateways are the number one hazard for security breaches, it is an essential part of network security. Attackers can exploit your personal information to commit a variety of crimes, such as blackmailing you or deceiving your clients by sending them falsified invoices with their account number as the payment details! An email security application can assist in thwarting these attacks and allowing you to regulate what is sent out as well as protecting you from suspicious emails and attachments.

Antivirus and Ransomware Protection
This type of network protection software guards against viruses, malware, and ransomware. Malware and ransomware can be extremely harmful, and you may not even know you are infected until it’s too late. In fact, ransomware can sit on your network for days or weeks, waiting for a vulnerability to exploit or waiting to be activated by the hacker who sent it. Antivirus and antimalware software combat this issue by both screening for malware as it enters your network, and scanning files to locate any threats that may have slipped through the cracks and are now hiding on your network.

Application Security
Application security is as simple as it sounds: it is security for your apps. Because no application is 100% free from vulnerabilities, application security is essential... Even well-known and widely used applications may have numerous security weaknesses or exploits through which a hacker could gain access. Because many of your business's activities and equipment are likely to run on apps, this level of protection is essential.

 

Wireless Network Security

Wired networks are generally more secure than wireless ones, but some businesses have no choice but to use wireless for some tasks or systems. For this reason, securing your wireless network is essential. Using encryption, regular password changes, and hiding your SSID are all important steps you can take to protect your wireless network.

The Benefits of Network Security For Businesses
All of the aspects listed above are necessary for effective network security. The level of complexity will be determined by the network's complexity and susceptibility to threats. The following are some of the advantages of network security for businesses:

 

·         Compliance

Almost all organizations are governed by some form of data protection legislation (like the GDPR for example), and certain industries, including healthcare, legal, and finance, may have regulations specific to their particular industry. Staying compliant with these requirements will require you to take reasonable network security precautions to secure your network, and if you fail to do so, the fines for a data breach could be substantially higher!

 

·         Protect Your Data

As data grows increasingly vital to modern enterprises, the value of stolen data has increased as well. By investing in good quality network security, you are protecting your bottom line by preventing business-critical data from being stolen by a disgruntled employee, an unscrupulous rival, or a hacker looking to cause chaos!

·         Reduce Downtime 

Network security protects your business against more than just data breaches. Network threats also cause significant periods of downtime, whether directly or as a result of organizations having to take parts of their network offline until they are sure they are free from threats. Protecting your network proactively also prevents downtime.

Hopefully, this article has given you a decent understanding of network security and some of the benefits it can provide to your company. Whether you're a large business or a start-up, network security is essential for your survival.

 

Consider inquiring about network security services from a local managed IT services provider. Unless you're a tech whiz yourself or have a skilled IT department in-house, contracting a third-party cybersecurity expert will be easier, less expensive, and more effective than attempting to safeguard your network yourself.