Why is network security important?
In today’s digital world, network security has become an essential part of our daily lives.
As we rely more and more on technology, the importance of securing a business’ networks has become paramount. The security of a network is key to ensuring that the data and resources within it are protected from unauthorised access, theft, and misuse.
Did you know? Ransomware attacks on businesses happen every 11 seconds and the estimated cost of cybercrime will be £10 Trillion by 2025. (Forbes.com, 2023)
Importance of Network Security
Prevention of Cyber Attacks
Cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated and frequent, and they can cause significant damage to a business or organisation.
A network that is not secured properly can be vulnerable to attacks such as viruses, malware, and phishing scams.
Compliance with Regulations
Many industries are subject to regulations that require them to protect sensitive data.
Network security measures help to comply with these regulations and avoid legal consequences.
Protection of Sensitive Information
Networks store valuable data such as personal information, financial records, and intellectual property.
Unauthorized access to this information can cause financial loss, reputational damage, and legal consequences.
Next-generation firewalls and intrusion prevention systems are instrumental in preventing unauthorised access and protecting sensitive information.
Reputation
A network breach can damage an organisation’s reputation and erode customer trust.
Network security measures help to protect customer data and prevent breaches, which in turn helps to maintain a positive reputation and gain customer confidence.
What are the challenges?
Designing, implementing and managing your network security will present a number of challenges. Humans can be a weak link in network security, and designing network security requires addressing this vulnerability. Security training and awareness programs can help reduce the risk of human error, but they are not foolproof and require ongoing efforts to ensure effectiveness. It is also important to carefully consider the following:
Complexity
Networks are often complex, with various components and architectures affecting what security elements are required and how they should be deployed. Designing network security requires a thorough understanding of how components work together, and the potential security risks associated with each one.
Changing Threat Landscape
The threat landscape is constantly evolving, with new threats and attack methods emerging regularly. Designing network security requires staying up to date with the latest threats and vulnerabilities and designing security measures that can mitigate these risks.
Balancing Security and Usability
Network security measures can sometimes make it more difficult for users to access network resources or perform their daily tasks. Designing network security requires finding a balance between security and usability to ensure that security measures do not negatively impact user productivity.
Cost
Network security measures can be costly to implement and maintain, especially for small businesses or organisations with limited resources. Designing network security requires finding cost-effective solutions that provide adequate security without breaking the budget.
Our approach to network security
As an ISO 27001 accredited business, combined with our experience in securing networks across many verticals, including banking and finance, we have been able to hone our approach to helping our client’s secure their data.
We work with you to understand what information you are looking to protect, and where it resides within your environment. This, combined with our understanding of the current risks and threats, allows us to work with you to select the appropriate solution to protect your data and business services.
While we are vendor-agnostic and are comfortable working with any of the major security companies, we often recommend best-of breed products such as Palo Alto and Fortinet to provide strong next-generation network security solutions.
Finally, we always seek to implement the simplest possible design that satisfies the requirements. This ensures that the solution is supportable now and in the future, and less prone to human error.
