Today, enhancing network security is one of the top priorities for all types of businesses and organizations. Looking back to the 1950s where network security started, the topic initiated as soon as people began realizing that there’s an intrinsic value in details and data that they have. This has happened in different events as the Information and Age of Digital unfolded in the late quarter of the 20th century.
Between the 1960s and 1970s, digital storage was made into reality. Huge, room-sized frames were responsible for storing these pieces of information or details, and access to the storage repositories was granted by directly plugging into its mainframe. The previous adopters of the digital loading technology had no problem protecting sensitive details and information of the company since you needed to get inside the whole building to access this information.
After a few years, since there was a lot of data to be stored, an innovative procedure was invented. The data of the company including bank account numbers, credit card details, profit and loss statements, demographic information, and personal details were properly valued and stored.
These were the early beginnings of security networks. The data revolution will continue, and so will changes to security strategies. Five years from now, collective data throughout the world will reach up to 175 zettabytes. It is hard to imagine how huge a zettabyte is.
The rapid production of digital data and pieces of information from the company brought about an unprecedented risk on the most sensitive data. This data started ending up in the hands of those who may commit malicious acts.
The dawn of the internet and online access also accelerated risks in terms of data breaching. It was not only a company that had huge volumes of personal information from customers and employees; the company also initiated marketing, selling, repackaging, and the sharing of data, which led to even greater risks and security concerns.
All types of data became a valued commodity; therefore, cybercrime and cyber threats became prevalent. Anything with value can now be sold, bought, and stolen from any company. Different companies had to face this new trend and the reality that those sensitive pieces of data are required to be kept confidential and safe against cybercriminals. In fact, there is research today showing that by the year 2023, there will be more than 33 billion records of data that will be stolen by cybercriminals – a total increase of almost 175% since the year 2018.
Network Security – Its Future and Significance
One way to protect against threats and cyber-attacks is to provide many layers of security as it will help the company secure the data from these cybercriminals. This type of layered security approach is referred to as Defense-in-Depth. This is critical for organizations and businesses. Although using multiple layers of security is quite challenging for networks to be completely protected from any possible cyber-attack, you can still make it quite difficult for cybercriminals to attack or penetrate your network. What is important is to secure all your potential access doors to your network.
Network protection should focus on the strength of the fortress layered against cybercrime, but they should also consider some possible internal threats to the network itself. Since this time, almost every country is experiencing a crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic and many employees are now working at home using their laptop. Most experts predict that remote working may be an alternative to produce quality results for the organizational goals. However, without the proper security , this may pose a greater internal threat.
Modern Technology Stack
With the advent of modern technology today, network security is continuously innovated for security purposes. There are compliance standards set by companies and organizations. The standard qualifications relating to network security must adhere to the minimum protection level to make sure that cybercriminals cannot breach the defenses of the whole network security.
The most powerful step to define and create a proper strategy in your business is to assess some possible risks. After the assessment, it’s essential to select effective and manageable types of security services. One of the best approaches you can take for your business is to utilize some tools and procedures in solving high-priority challenges for efficiency. Your network security load must include threat prevention services and intelligence, which can perform the appropriate volume of protection.
If you want to use different tools for network security, you can consider the following for use
- IDS or Intrusion Detection Systems to alert and scan when threats or unauthorized access has been detected.
- IPS or Intrusion Prevention Systems to scan malicious traffic that has been made behind the firewall.
- Endpoint protection tools, such as email protection software or antivirus software, can be used to provide frontline defense for devices connecting to the network, including outgoing or incoming communications.
- Tools for Security Information and Event Management will allow IT administrators to configure specific alerts attached to a specified action, which will increase the visibility to the stack.
- Network Access Controls to improve the visibility of IT administrators with user governance, policy governance, and even automated reactions to those common invasion attempts.
- Cloud Security to manage data, devices, and all networks from your central location.
- Digital and Physical Access Controls to allow an authorized device or person to access the company networks, information, or property.
Cybersecurity threats have exceeded all imaginable statistics, and this increase will only be more important in the future. Enterprise investments in cybersecurity solutions today will be your company’s security tomorrow.
Liraz Postan
