Network security involves protecting the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of an organization's network and data. It includes hardware and software technologies, policies, and procedures that work together to prevent unauthorized access, misuse, malfunction, modification, or destruction of the network.
Key components of network security include firewalls, virtual private networks (VPNs), network segmentation, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), access control, and secure network design.
Network security is crucial for safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring reliable communication within and outside an organization. It protects against threats such as malware, ransomware, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, and insider threats.
With increasing remote work and cloud adoption, network perimeters are becoming less defined, making strong security controls more important than ever. Monitoring network traffic, auditing access, and enforcing least-privilege policies are critical best practices.
A strong network security strategy ensures seamless operations and regulatory compliance while minimizing the risk of breaches and downtime.