Network security is a critical aspect of the contemporary world, connected with businesses that depend on digital infrastructure and communication networks. Security networks deal with many threats that might occur in the form of malware and phishing attacks, data breaches, and unauthorized access. Hence, well-planned security systems must be implemented to safeguard the organization’s critical information and preserve the continuity of operations. This essay aims to discuss various security tools used in networking – both traditional and newly emerged – as a response to the changing nature of network security.
The old security measures have been the key elements that determine the success of network security strategies (Attinà, 2016). These encompass a group of tools designed to protect networks from already known and analyzed threats and vulnerabilities. Security technologies traditionally used are firewalls, antivirus software, IDS (intrusion detection systems), and VPN (virtual private networks). Firewalls are perceived as a barrier between internal networks and the external world that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic. The system admin sets rules to control incoming and outgoing traffic. Antivirus aims to scan for malicious software (code), like viruses, worms, and Trojans, in computer systems and remove them, which means they cannot replicate. This helps to protect the system from future harm.
Whereas existing security measures can successfully thwart many widespread attacks, they also have certain limitations (Bierwisch et al., 2015). For instance, a traditional signature-based antivirus may need help to detect new and emerging malware that does not match the known signature structure. Likewise, bypassing firewalls is possible by using evasion techniques or exploiting protocol mismatches. The result is that organizations are looking more and more to new security technologies to complement and complete their existing security measures.
Emerging security approaches are futuristic and effective methods of dealing with the dynamic threat landscape in networking technologies.
Using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cryptography makes this technology viable to help deal with real-time security issues (Chica et al., 2020). The machine Learning-based approach uses algorithms to process large and complex network data to discover a security problem (Kizza, 2024). In addition, zero-trust architecture is a fast-rising strategy based on the limited privileges principle. It forces users and devices to authenticate and authorize each network access request, even if they are on internal networks or possess preferential privileges.
These emerging security technologies have positive impacts and face challenges in terms of usage and acceptance. Machine learning-powered security algorithms are expected to employ large datasets to train and could require assistance in distinguishing between legitimate security threats and false alarms (Ferrag et al., 2020). Implementing a zero-trust security architecture necessitates revising the network infrastructure and a new access control integration. The process is complex and may be consuming. Moreover, novel tech inventions may also induce security issues as they may sometimes unveil security risks or loopholes.
It is crucial to talk about the differences between classical and modern security technologies and the security problems of the cloud environments. Cloud computing is favorable because of scalability, flexibility, and affordability, all of which come with a security concern (Ferrag et al., 2020). This includes data privacy, sovereignty issues, responsibility-based sharing models, insider threats, and data breaches. To mitigate such challenges, organizations are advised to implement cloud security using encryption, IAM, and security monitoring and auditing, to mention a few.
Additionally, security maturity and resilience can also be enjoyed by companies, provided they observe the best security practices (Subramanian, 2018). These processes include constantly changing the software schedule, adopting modern authentication mechanisms, conducting security audits and assessments, and offering training programs and employee awareness (Malhi et al., 2020). Security measures, if implemented proactively and collaboratively, can uphold and protect stakeholders and assets against any threat.
Furthermore, the security of the network has become a significant factor in the organization’s operations, and the business should prioritize change and innovate its security strategies entirely to deal with the dynamic threat world. By simultaneously applying multiple security measures and technologies in the present and future, organizations can enhance their capability to detect, block, and react to existing and new threats. Also, by fixing the security holes in cloud platforms and complying with the network security standards, firms can eliminate risks that can significantly improve the overall security profile. In sum, network security remains a crucial factor for any business’ sustainability, protecting stakeholders’ and all stakeholders’ interests, mainly under digital interconnection circumstances.
References
Attinà, F. (2016). Traditional security issues. In China, the European Union, and the international politics of global governance (pp. 175–193). New York: Palgrave Macmillan US.https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9781137514004_10
Bierwisch, A., Kayser, V., & Shala, E. (2015). Emerging technologies in civil security—a scenario-based analysis. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 101, 226-237.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004016251500181X
Chica, J. C. C., Imbachi, J. C., & Vega, J. F. B. (2020). Security in SDN: A comprehensive survey. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 159, 102595.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1084804520300692
Ferrag, M. A., Maglaras, L., Moschoyiannis, S., & Janicke, H. (2020). Deep learning for cyber security intrusion detection: Approaches, datasets, and comparative study. Journal of Information Security and Applications, p. 50, 102419.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214212619305046
Kizza, J. M. (2024). Computer network security protocols. In Guide to Computer Network Security (pp. 409–441). Cham: Springer International Publishing.https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-47549-8_18
Malhi, A. K., Batra, S., & Pannu, H. S. (2020). Security of vehicular ad-hoc networks: A comprehensive survey. Computers & Security, 89, 101664.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167404818312872
Subramanian, N., & Jeyaraj, A. (2018). Recent security challenges in cloud computing. Computers & Electrical Engineering, 71, 28-42.https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Levent-Ertaul-2/publication/267697749_Security_Challenges_in_Cloud_Computing/links/54984b260cf2519f5a1dddb4/Security-Challenges-in-Cloud-Computing.pdf
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