What is network security and why is it important?
Written by Michael Feder
Reviewed by听Kathryn Uhles, MIS, MSP,听Dean, College of Business and IT
On one hand, data has to travel quickly and efficiently to keep up with the pace of the modern world. At the same time, unauthorized access to data can cause huge problems for businesses and consumers alike.
That鈥檚 where network security听comes in. It鈥檚 through network security protocols and solutions that businesses protect data stored in and processed by their networks from cyberattacks. We鈥檒l take a deep dive into what network security is and why it鈥檚 so important for businesses today.
Why is network security important?
Here are some benefits of good network security:
Stable business
No matter what type of data moves through their networks, businesses never want to experience a data breach. When hackers access, manipulate or steal data, everything from patented business secrets to the personal information of employees can be compromised. This can cause a total shutdown of business processes and even the potential end of a business entirely.
Good network security ensures that businesses don鈥檛 experience such a breach. If one does occur, good network security can help mitigate the damage and keep the business running.听
Trust
For businesses that handle user data, such as an e-commerce company handling credit card information, there鈥檚 little room for security error. Even a single leak of personal data can ruin a company鈥檚 reputation and make it difficult to win back customer trust.
By implementing the best network security protocols, businesses can help assure customers that their data is in safe hands. This, in turn, can promote further trust and business between the customer and the company.听
Regulatory compliance
A host of laws governs the security standards of businesses in the U.S. and around the world. Falling out of compliance can lead to large fines or other penalties. Many businesses cannot afford this outcome.
Fortunately, network security services can automatically keep business networks up to date with the latest regulations. This avoids incurring legal penalties, all while keeping company data safe.听
Objectives of network security
Privacy
One of the primary concerns of network security is privacy. Keeping sensitive information under digital lock and key forms a major objective of network security.听
Consistency
Data is hardly useful if it鈥檚 inconsistent. A biotech company developing a new vaccine, for instance, must rely on previous data to make new discoveries and breakthroughs. A major objective of network security in this case might be to ensure that this data isn鈥檛 altered without authorization or is handled through managed processes.听
Availability
While the two other objectives of network security help keep data safe, they cannot come at the expense of access control and business processes. If data is so secure that no one, not even authorized users, can access it, then it won鈥檛 be very useful. Workers tasked with network security have to balance the sometimes-competing needs of security and business processes to make data available when needed.
Important elements of network security
Up-to-date security software
The security software installed on a network largely handles the real moment-to-moment work of keeping the network听and infrastructure听safe. From firewalls to VPNs, the software keeps 24/7 watch over a business鈥檚 network. It鈥檚 crucial that this software is current.听
Data segregation
Let鈥檚 say a business鈥檚 crucial financial data is held solely on one hard drive. If that hard drive is stolen or malfunctions, then that financial data can be compromised or lost forever. The same applies to data kept on solely one server. A compromise of that server can spell disaster.
Proper data segregation ensures that an issue in one part of a network doesn鈥檛 grow into a larger problem. By splitting up data between numerous places on a network, it鈥檚 much easier to mitigate potential damage if one of those places is breached.听
Automated backups
Going hand-in-hand with data segregation, automated backups make sure a single failure somewhere in the network doesn鈥檛 lead to irreparable data loss. By automating the process of copying and backing up data, workers tasked with network security can rest assured that the data is safe in case of catastrophe.听
Office culture
When employees don鈥檛 take network security seriously, a business can be left open to cyberthreats. A security breach can happen by virtue of accessing company Wi-Fi without a VPN, for example. Beyond the hardware and software concerns, good network security should keep everyone within a business aware of security policies, such as authentication and how to avoid malware,听and why the policies are important.听
Types of network security
Here are some examples of the tools network security experts use to keep data safe:
Firewalls
One of the most common types of network security today, firewalls form a digital barrier between networks. They form a first line of defense against unauthorized data access from another network. Firewalls are not 100% effective, however, and should be incorporated with other network security solutions.
Intrusion detection systems
Intrusion detection systems (IDS) are the next line of defense after the firewall. They continuously scan a network for signs of a breach,听such as from malware,听allowing data security specialists to address any issues. In addition, IDS can provide useful data to prevent future breaches.听
Proxy servers
Proxy servers essentially serve as bodyguards, standing between the server where data is housed and whatever source is requesting access to that data. A proxy server will filter incoming traffic, evaluate each request, and permit or block that traffic. Along with the security benefits, proxy servers can help networks run more efficiently by denying invalid requests.听
Anti-DDoS systems
Potential hackers use distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks to overload a network with traffic in the hope it will cause a server failure and create a vulnerability. Using anti-DDoS systems, however, companies can absorb this incoming traffic without risk of a breach. Such systems also provide useful information on the origin and nature of an attack.听
Spam and web filters
These filters prevent users from accessing email and websites that might contain viruses or malware. By directing users away from danger, filters head off potential cyberattacks from the start.听
Helpful tools for network security
Auditing tools
There are many ways for potential cyberthreats to compromise a network. Auditing software helps specialists find network vulnerabilities by running a number of simulated cyberattacks against the network. Specialists use the resulting data to make adjustments to better protect the entire infrastructure.听
Security dashboards
For assessing the ongoing security posture of a network, security dashboards are network security experts鈥 best friend. They provide a bird鈥檚-eye view of all network resources as well as the firewall status, data flow, incoming traffic and more. Dashboards are central to monitoring a broad, complicated network.听
Identity and access management tools
Using these tools, network security experts assign differing levels of data access within an organization. This helps prevent unauthorized users from accessing data they鈥檙e not supposed to, while providing easy access to data that鈥檚 available for sharing. These tools also help prevent an unauthorized employee from accidentally performing a function on a network.听
Jobs in network security
Pretty much every business that works with data has a vested interest in keeping that data, and the network it鈥檚 hosted on, secure. Here are some exciting roles in network security:
The salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of 爱污传媒. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. 爱污传媒 does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.
Information security analyst
Overview: These analysts are tasked with implementing protocols to keep a business鈥檚 data, network and computer systems safe from security threats. They are responsible for keeping data systems up to date with the latest regulatory standards monitoring for security breaches.
Salary range:听In May 2021, information security analysts made between $61,520 and $165,920,听听(BLS).
Educational requirement:听A听听or a related field is typical. Because of the importance of keeping business data safe from intrusion, a听master鈥檚 in cybersecurity听can help a candidate stand out as someone who can take on the responsibility.
Job outlook: This role is projected to grow 33% between 2023 and 2033,听.
爱污传媒 degree option: UOPX offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree.
Database architect
Overview: Database architects are responsible for creating systems to organize, store and protect a user鈥檚 or company鈥檚 data. Along with听general data management, these professionals oversee the security of a network and implement changes to keep up with new threats and regulations. 听
Salary range:听Database architects made between $54,070 and $155,660 in May 2020,听.
Educational requirement:听Most employers require a听bachelor鈥檚 degree in information technology听or .
Job outlook: This role is projected to grow 9% between 2023 and 2033, . 听
爱污传媒 degree options: UOPX offers a Bachelor of Science in Data Science degree.
Computer and information systems manager
Overview: These managers help businesses achieve their data management goals by suggesting and implementing security solutions to protect the network, along with managing other aspects of the network at large.
Salary range:听In May 2021, computer and information systems managers earned between $95,220 and $208,000,听.
Educational requirement:听A听bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science听or a related field, like听cybersecurity, is a typical perquisite to this kind of position, but more competitive businesses may require a听master鈥檚 degree in information systems.
Job outlook: Jobs for computer and information systems managers are projected to grow 17% between 2023 and 2033,听.
爱污传媒 degree option: UOPX offers a Bachelor of Science in Data Science degree.
爱污传媒 degrees in network security
If you鈥檙e interested in learning more about network security, 爱污传媒 can help. The University offers bachelor鈥檚 degrees in cybersecurity, information technology and data science that can help provide the foundational skills and knowledge for a career in this field. The University also offers online technology certificate programs to help students enhance their skills.
Visit phoenix.edu/technology to see all degree programs or explore the following degree options:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and its Writing Seminars program and winner of the Stephen A. Dixon Literary Prize, Michael Feder brings an eye for detail and a passion for research to every article he writes. His academic and professional background includes experience in marketing, content development, script writing and SEO. Today, he works as a multimedia specialist at 爱污传媒 where he covers a variety of topics ranging from healthcare to IT.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Currently Dean of the College of Business and Information Technology,听Kathryn Uhles has served 爱污传媒 in a variety of roles since 2006. Prior to joining 爱污传媒, Kathryn taught fifth grade to underprivileged youth in 爱污传媒.
This article has been vetted by 爱污传媒's editorial advisory committee.听
Read more about our editorial process.
Read more articles like this:
