Abstract
Nowadays, the network and data security architecture have a lot of complications, and it must contend with an ever-changing threat environment and relentless attackers in their search for and exploitation of security flaws. These vulnerabilities may affect devices, data, apps, users, and locations. According to Kaeo (2004), network security management tools and apps in use, today handle both individual threats and exploits, as well as regulatory non-compliance, because of this. Protecting an organization’s financial line and reputation is vital when a few minutes of the outage may cause widespread disruption and enormous harm.
Security breaches in the tech world are all too typical, with dozens taking place every day all across the globe. A few are regarded trivial, with little or no data or money loss, while many are deemed severe or even disastrous. The FBI traced the 2014 breach of Sony Pictures’ network to the North Korean government, whom you may have heard. During the 2016 presidential election in the United States, Russian hackers were suspected of interfering with voting systems and companies and government institutions in the Ukrainian-speaking country. Hackers are always on the lookout for new holes in the method they may attack. Information about businesses, people, and even our organization may be accessed or exploited if networks are not secure. An organization’s computer networks are protected by the efforts of information security analysts, who design and execute security procedures. As the frequency of cyber-attacks rises, so does the need for cyber-security professionals with advanced training and experience.
Network Security and Data Security
Network Security
According to the SANS Institute research, network security prevents unauthorized access, abuse, malfunction, alteration, destruction, or incorrect disclosure of the underlying network infrastructure (Kaeo,2004). If certain precautions are implemented, computers, humans, and programs can all perform vital duties in a secure environment. Hardware equipment, such as routers, firewalls, and anti-malware software, are required to secure a network. Government organizations and corporations hire highly qualified information security analysts to develop security strategies and regularly analyze the effectiveness of these measures.
The word “network security” encompasses various techniques, tools, and procedures. In a nutshell, it’s a collection of guidelines and settings that use software and hardware to safeguard the integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility of computer networks and data. Network security solutions are essential when it comes to protecting an enterprise from today’s ever-expanding environment of cyber threats, no matter its size, industry, or infrastructure.
How network security performs its work
Addressing network security at all levels of an organization requires consideration of many tiers. Your network security hardware, software, and policies must be designed to protect each layer of the network security layers model.
The three main controls used in network security are physical, technical, and administrative management (Kaeo,2004). Described below are the various types of network security and how they are implemented in their work.
Physical network security
Network components such as routers, cabling cupboards, and so on are protected by physical security controls designed to keep intruders out of the network. Without security measures like locks and biometric authentication, there can be no effective organization.
Technical network security
Data stored or in transit across, into, or out of the network is protected by technical security controls. Network security must guard both unauthorized personnel and malicious employee activity to protect data and systems.
Administrative network security
User behavior is controlled by administrative controls such as policies and processes that govern user authentication and access levels and how IT staff implement infrastructure changes.
Different ways how to secure a network
Network Access Control
Comprehensive access control rules must be in place for both people and devices to protect your network. You have complete control over the granularity of network access control (NAC). However, you might restrict the network administrator’s use of their devices or prohibit their access to specific sensitive files.
Antimalware and antivirus
Malicious software such as ransomware and trojans may all be prevented by antivirus software and anti-malware programs. In the finest software, data are not only scanned as they arrive on the network, but they are also constantly scanned and monitored.
Firewall protection
If you want to keep your internal network safe from outside threats, you need a firewall. Typically, network administrators set up established rules that either allow or deny traffic into the network.
Private virtual network
Virtual private networks (VPNs) establish a link to the network from another endpoint or location. For example, people working from home would typically access the organization’s network using a VPN. Data between the two places is encrypted, and the user would need to verify to enable a connection between their device and the web.
Data Security
Protecting your virtual IT environment is the goal of data security, which is a collection of procedures and policies (Johnson & Easttom 2020). Policies, apps, and practices that assess the value of particular datasets and apply the most appropriate security controls are necessary for adequate data security. Data security must consider the sensitivity of distinct datasets and the accompanying regulatory compliance requirements for reasonable data security. As with many other cybersecurity measures, data security isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy for keeping hackers away. Data security is a fundamental approach for assessing dangers, mitigating data storage, and managing risks.
Types of Data security
Different controls can perform data security in an organization using various rules described below.
Access controls
Access to essential systems and data must be restricted physically and digitally using these kinds of security measures. All computers and gadgets must have a login that only authorized individuals can access, as must all physical places.
Authentication
The term “authentication” is used to describe the process of verifying the identity of a user before they may access data. Passwords, PINs, security codes, cards, and biometrics are examples.
Backups and Recovery
Having a strategy in place in the case of a system breakdown or catastrophe and data corruption or a breach is an essential part of good data security. As a result, you’ll need to save an additional duplicate of your data if anything goes wrong.
Data erasure
Regularly, you’ll need to get rid of old data safely. Data erasure uses software to erase all of the information on any storage device, making it more secure than typical data wiping methods. Encryption and decryption are two methods of verifying that data has been deleted and cannot be recovered.
Encryption
A computer algorithm uses encryption keys to convert text characters into an unintelligible format. Access to the data is restricted to those granted permission and who possess the appropriate keys. Encryption can and should be used for everything from files and databases to emails.
Data resiliency
System resilience and recovery are vital components of comprehensive data security. By incorporating resilience into your hardware and software, you can prevent security from being jeopardized by things like power outages or natural catastrophes.
Data masking
With data masking software, letters and numbers are obscured by proxy characters. Regardless of who gets hold of it, sensitive information is successfully hidden. The data revert to its original state only after an authorized user receives it.
Elements of data security in an organization
Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability are the three most important aspects of data security that all businesses should consider. The CIA Triad refers to these elements as a security strategy and framework for securing the most sensitive data. To protect your sensitive data from unauthorized access, below are the definitions of each essential element.
Confidentiality: Data can only be accessed by those who have been authorized.
Integrity: All data saved must be correct, reliable, and not susceptible to unjustified alterations.
Availability: Achieves easy and secure data access and availability for ongoing business requirements.
Data security regulations
Regardless of the industry or sector in which your company works, data security is an essential component of regulatory compliance. Data security is a critical component of complying with almost all regulatory regimes. If you want to keep your data safe, you’ll need to take it seriously and engage with an expert compliance partner.
- Some of the compliance frameworks for maintaining data security include:
- International Standards Organization (ISO).
- General Data Protection Regulation.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
- Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.
Practices that ensure data security
There is no guaranteed solution to ensuring the safety of your data. A data breach, loss, or exposure may be minimized by following a few processes, methods, and best practices.
Quarantine sensitive files.
A typical data management blunder is when essential files are stored on a shared or open device. Remove the habit of storing sensitive data in unprotected places. Use data security software to keep track of sensitive information and relocate it to a safe place.
Delete unused data.
Storing old data for longer than is required puts your data at risk. Data that is no longer needed for continuing company operations should be disposed of securely. Like a sitting duck for hackers, you do not want a mountain of data that you are ignorant.
Behavior-based permission.
Overly permissive conduct is another typical when more individuals have access to data than is required. A tangled network of temporary access and permissions soon forms, with people having access to information that they shouldn’t. Limit over-permission by employing software that tracks user behavior and automatically sets appropriate behavior-based permissions.
Preparing for cyber threats.
The key to securing your data is to plan. To protect your data from current and future threats, you’ll need a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Both external and internal hackers are included in this category. Software that monitors and alerts you to suspicious activity should be used in addition to your policy.
Benefits of network and data security
Data security is vital to both the public and private sectors for many reasons. At first, organizations have a moral and legal duty to safeguard the personal information of their customers and users. For example, Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard mandates that financial institutions secure customer data to the fullest extent possible, like many other businesses.
- Network and data security ensure data safety: The key to securing your data is to plan. To protect your data from current and future threats, you’ll need a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Both external and internal hackers are included in this category. Software that monitors and alerts you to suspicious activity should be used in addition to your policy.
- Protects organizations against ransomware: Ransomware assaults are becoming more widespread. In the eyes of many, this is the most heinous kind of assault. Malware that demands payment in exchange for releasing or blocking your data is known as ransomware. They may have an impact on a single person or a whole nation.
- Improves organization network performance: Network security isn’t only about protecting your network; it also enhances its performance. The most important thing is a solid system that doesn’t be bogged down by unnecessary tools and applications. Choose from tried-and-true methods.
- Protects the organization against financial loss: weak organizations in terms of security can be prone to hackers and steal their money and other private data.
Conclusion
All organizations dealing with networked data and systems should put network security at the top of their priority list. Additionally, network security helps manage traffic more effectively, improve the efficiency of the network, and enable safe data exchange between workers and external data sources. It is possible to protect your networks against attack and downtime using various tools, software, or utilities. Network security solutions from Forcepoint simplify and consolidate complicated operations, ensuring strong network security throughout your organization.
Data security is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. To keep your data safe and to ensure its perfect protection. As a result, you must consider data security as a continuous, company-wide effort.
References
Johnson, R., & Easttom, C. (2020). Security policies and implementation issues. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Kaeo, M. (2004). Designing network security. Cisco Press.
Krishnan, R. (2017). Security and Privacy in Cloud Computing.
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