Network security is a crucial aspect of maintaining the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of information and resources in a networked environment. This page provides an overview of the fundamentals of network security.
Key Concepts
- Firewalls: Acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and an untrusted external network, controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
- Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Monitor network traffic for suspicious activity and alert administrators when potential threats are detected.
- Encryption: Converts data into a coded format to prevent unauthorized access and ensure data privacy.
- Vulnerability Management: Identifies and mitigates vulnerabilities in a network to reduce the risk of exploitation by attackers.
Common Threats
- Malware: Software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems.
- Phishing: A cyber attack where attackers try to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity.
- DDoS Attacks: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks overwhelm a target system with traffic, rendering it unavailable to legitimate users.
Best Practices
- Regularly Update Software: Keep all software, including operating systems and applications, up to date with the latest security patches.
- Use Strong Passwords: Implement strong password policies and encourage the use of two-factor authentication.
- Secure Wireless Networks: Use WPA3 encryption and change default router passwords to prevent unauthorized access.
- Educate Employees: Regularly train employees on security best practices to reduce the risk of human error.
Network Security
For more information on network security, please visit our Security Best Practices page.