AdminEvery day, 30,000 websites in the world are hacked, and these data breaches can be devastating. Cybercriminals can steal sensitive information about both you and your customers. And it’s enough for many companies to shut down.
Also, don’t think that just because you’re a small business owner, you’re safe. Hackers are targeting businesses of all sizes, so it’s very likely that yours is next. So you need to be prepared.
Fortunately, you can fight against these cyberattacks with robust network security solutions. Read on for some effective things you can implement to raise your network security.
Firewalls
A network security firewall is the most basic protection you can have, whether it’s in a home or office setting. It’s a fundamental security measure that acts as a barrier between an internal network and external ones (such as the internet). The firewall monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules.
Most computer operating systems already come with firewalls, so make sure that you haven’t turned yours off. This won’t be enough though; you’ll need a multi-layered approach to security if you really want to protect yourself.
Antivirus Software
In addition to a firewall, you’ll need antivirus software. You don’t want to go with a free or cheap one either. Spending more on a robust program will pay off in the long run when you block the craftiest cyberattacks.
Antivirus software will detect, prevent, and remove malicious software. This can include viruses, Trojans, worms, and ransomware.
Because they have features like real-time scanning, regular updates, and behavior-based analysis, you can have complete faith that they won’t fail you. In fact, most successful hacks occur because of user mistakes.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
VPNs aren’t technically a network security solution, but they can be used as one. This is because they provide secure and encrypted connections over public networks.
They enable remote users to access a private network securely. They encrypt their communication and hide their IP addresses.
This means that if a hacker intercepts your connection, you won’t put your device at risk. They won’t be able to glean any information since you’re logged onto a VPN.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)
IDPS work in a similar fashion to firewalls since they detect and respond to malicious activities on a network. They monitor network traffic, as well as analyze patterns and behaviors. If they detect anything that’s suspicious, then they’ll either raise alerts or take preventive actions.
There are several types of IDPS:
- Network-based (NIDPS)
- Host-based (HIDPS)
- Signature-based
- Anomaly-based
- Heuristic-based
IDPS can integrate with security information and event management (SIEM) platforms for advanced protection.
Network Segmentation
Network segmentation is an effective way to mitigate the devastating effects of data breaches. With this strategy, you divide a network into smaller, isolated segments. That way, if there are breaches, they’ll be contained within these smaller sections.
Each segment has its own security controls. This reduces the impact of a successful hack, as it limits lateral movements.
Part of network segmentation can involve network access control (NAC) solutions. These enforce policies that control access to network resources; they verify and authenticate devices and users before granting network access. Plus, they ensure compliance with security policies and configurations, so there’s a much lower chance of a cybercriminal getting through.
Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security (SSL/TLS)
SSL/TLS protocols provide encryption for network communications. This ensures the confidentiality and integrity of the data that are transmitted. These protocols use message authentication codes (MACs) or hash functions to do so.
If these terms sound familiar, it’s because they’re commonly used in web browsers. They’re the measures that keep your sensitive information safe while making online transactions.
What’s great is SSL/TLS supports certificate revocation mechanisms. Sites that are compromised or have expired certificates will not have SSL/TLS protocols that are active.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
DLP solutions keep your sensitive data from unauthorized access, leakage, or loss. Like some of the other solutions on this list, they monitor and control data transfers and enforce encryptions. They can apply policies to prevent data breaches or accidental data disclosure too.
Companies will use things like machine learning algorithms and data fingerprinting on their DLP solutions so they recognize sensitive data. Then, they’ll classify the data based on predefined policies and rules.
The solutions can also monitor user actions and behaviors. This can help you detect any breaches from the inside, since the DLP solutions will notify you of unusual or suspicious activities.
Employee Education
One of the most important things you can do for network security is to get employee education. As we’ve said earlier, most breaches happen because of user mistakes. So it’s vital that you treat your technology as a safety net instead of the first line of defense.
In fact, your workers should be that instead. After all, if they know what to look out for, then things like your firewall and antivirus software won’t have to do a thing.
Educate your workforce about best practices and raise awareness about social engineering attacks. You can bring in a third party to have training sessions, and companies like Vonahi Security offer penetration tests. These simulate network security threats and train your employees without your network suffering from real attacks.
Use These Network Security Solutions for Maximum Protection
Having the right mix of network security solutions is essential for your company’s success.
Not only should you have multiple layers of tech, but you should thoroughly train your workers too. When they know what to look out for, they’ll stay vigilant. As a result, you’ll ward off hackers efficiently.
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