What is Network Security? Definition and Methods

 Network security is a wide-ranging term that encompasses a variety of technologies, devices and processes. In the simplest case, it is a set of instructions and configurations considered to protect the integrity, privacy and accessibility of computer networks and data using software and hardware technologies. Regardless of size, industry or infrastructure, each company needs a certain degree of network security to protect it from the growing threats of the Internet.

The current network architecture is complex and faces a constantly changing threat environment, and attackers always try to find and exploit vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities can occur in a variety of areas, including devices, data, applications, users and sites. As a result, today many network security tools and applications are used to address individual threats and exploits, as well as regulatory violations. If only a few minutes of inactivity can cause powerful disruptions and massive damage to a company's balance sheet and reputation, it is vital that these protective measures are taken.

Network Security Methods

To fully implement this type of defense, there are a variety of specialized techniques and types of network security that you want to perform. Cisco, a network infrastructure company, uses the following scheme to break down the different types of network security engineer jobs in USA. Although part of it based on product categories, it is a useful way to think about the different ways to protect a network.

·         Access Control: You must be able to block unauthorized users and devices from accessing your network. Users who have access to the network should be able to work only with the limited resources for which they have been authorized.

·         Anti-Malware: Viruses, worms, and Trojans by definition try to spread across a network and may be inactive for days or weeks on infected computers. Your security measures should do everything to prevent the first infection and to eliminate malware that reaches your network.

·         Application security: Insecure applications are often the vectors used by attackers to access their network. You must use hardware, software and security processes to block these applications.

·         Behavior analysis: You must know what normal network behavior looks like to detect security anomalies or vulnerabilities immediately.

·         Data loss prevention: People are inevitably the weakest security link. They must implement technologies and processes to ensure that employees do not intentionally or accidentally send confidential data outside the network.

·         Email security: Phishing is one of the top common ways for attackers to access a network. Email security tools can block incoming and outgoing confidential information.

·         Firewall: Perhaps the ancestors of network security, follow the rules established to allow or deny traffic on the border among your network and the Internet, creating a barrier between your area of ​​trust and the wild west outdoors. They do not exclude the need for a deep defense strategy, but they remain a necessity.

·         Mobile device and wireless device security: Wireless devices have all the potential security vulnerabilities of another networked device, but can connect to a wireless network in almost every other location, requiring additional verification.

·         Network Segmentation: Software-defined segmentation divides network traffic into different classifications and facilitates the application of security policies.

·         Security and Event Management (SIEM) information: These products are designed to automatically gather information from a selection of network tools to offer the data you need to detect and respond to threats.

·         VPN: A tool (typically based on IPsec or SSL) that authenticates communication between a device and a secure network and creates a secure and encrypted "tunnel" over the open Internet.

·         Web security: You need to be able to control the Internet usage of internal employees to prevent web-based threats from using browsers as a source of infection for your network.

Network Consultant

Network Services Job Description

Network consultants create and maintain network infrastructure and create and maintain secure servers. Although they work internally in several business areas, travel is also common since network consultants are on-site to work on servers and computer systems. Network Consultant jobs are available for full-time and part-time Monday through Friday. However, occasional work during the night and on the weekends may be required to resolve server problems within a limited period. Network consultants often work independently and inform the clients who hire them and the managers who direct them to different locations.

Tasks and responsibilities: Network Consultant.

Network consultants find work in companies with large computer networks, as well as in security companies and computer companies that provide services to other companies. In any business, network consultants must perform the following main tasks:

·         Create and manage domains online

Network consultants create Internet domains and ensure that they continue working. Add additional servers and software as necessary to succeed in online traffic flow.

·         Test protocols and network applications

Network consultants test all protocols and applications used by computers connected to the server to ensure seamless functionality and data security.

·         Solve individual problems

Network consultants solve personal PC problems and application software and train staff in basic computer functions and security protocols using system servers.

·         Create backup programs

Network consultants write programs to back up and restore server data to protect them from losses, viruses, and other problems.

·         Data flow test

Network consultants test the flow of data between routers and modems to ensure there are no system delays or strong communication between the computers and the server network.

·         Write scripts

Network consultants familiar with multiple computer languages ​​write scripts in Java, Python, Perk, and other programming languages.

·         Install and update software

Network consultants keep computer systems up to date by installing new software and updating existing software as it becomes available.

Also Read: Network security specialist