Quick Guide to IT Network Security
What is IT Network Security
IT network security refers to a combination of methods, measures and policies to protect IT network system from unauthorised access, data destruction, modification, denial of access to the network or network resources and a variety of other virtual and physical threats. The goal of network security is to protect the organisation’s integrity, authenticity, confidentiality and availability of the service. It is taken care of by a network administrator or an outside network security provider.
IT Network Security Features
Network security management consists of a number of safety measures that normally work as layers. As a result, anyone who wants to access the network has to go through several security features. And the more security features there are, the more secure the network is. Typically, they include a strong firewall or a unified threat management system, Internet security software and strong antivirus software, strong passwords for all accounts, etc.. But every network security management plan also includes education of the staff about the threats to the network and ways to avoid them as well as measures against internal threats that can be intentional or unintentional.
Common Sources of IT Network Security Threats
IT network security threats come from a variety of sources. The most common ones include:
- Malicious software and e-mail attachments. They are the most common sources of viruses, Trojan horses and worms but they are also sources of hacking attacks, especially e-mails. These allow the hackers to break into the system in many different ways, most often through eavesdropping, social engineering (pretending to be network administrators to get passwords and other key security information from the employees), network spoofing, packet replay and impersonation.
- Easy to decipher passwords. Just like the burglars always find a spare key under the flower pot and doormat, hackers always decipher passwords such as maiden names, names of the children or spouse, pets, etc..
- Malicious websites. These are either normal websites that have been infected or were built as malicious websites intentionally. They usually do not do harm if they are only opened. In addition, search engines such as Google warn the users about the risk to safety.
- Shared computers. The more people use a single computer the greater the security risk not only to the computer but the entire network.
- Hardware loss. Stolen or lost laptops and other devices that contain sensitive information are a serious safety concern for many companies.
- Unintentional errors. These can make the system vulnerable to attacks either directly or indirectly. Use a good virus scan or get advice from a reputable firm like Reboot SEO Services who can form a strategy for Netwowrk security.
Dangers of IT Network Security Threats
Planting of a virus, Trojan horse, worm or unauthorised access can cause substantial damage including:
- destruction or modification of data
- crash of the system
- destruction of hardware
- identity theft, phishing, disclosure of sensitive information to competition
- disruption of services