Network Security
What is Network Security?
Network security is the protection of a computer network or network-accessible assets through intrusion detection, preventative resources, and oversight by management technologies. Network security mitigates or prevents unauthorized parties from accessing the network.
Why do businesses need network security?
Businesses need network security to protect their most important asset—their data. Without effective network security in place, businesses are at increased risk of attacks and hackers. Network security prevents vulnerabilities across your data environments and keeps businesses’ data architecture secure across all environments.
How does network security work?
Network security is enabled through the implementation of protective software and hardware within your network. These systems prevent harmful intruders from gaining network access, further preventing successful attacks. Network security tools include a variety of systems and policies that act as a dynamic layer between your network fabric and any intruders intent on destroying infrastructure, delaying operations, misusing resources, or jeopardizing sensitive data.
What are the benefits of network security?
The key benefit of incorporating network security into your data architecture is found in deterring cyberattacks. Any business without sufficient network security is seen as an easy target from cyber attackers. Some other critical benefits to network security include:
Risk mitigation
Risk mitigation is a top benefit of network security. With the ability of the security software to detect and respond to potential or active threats, businesses can stay aware, proactive, and aggressive in their approach against attackers. In today’s digital age, businesses are at a much greater risk of attacks and disruption due to the sensitive nature of data—all available on the network. If organizations can effectively mitigate risks through efficient network security processes, they can run their operations without constant fear of hacks or interference.
Safeguarding proprietary data
Safeguarding proprietary data is another essential benefit of network security. The sensitive nature of data in a digital age dictates a necessity for thorough security offerings within businesses’ data landscapes. Without network security, everyone’s information becomes vulnerable to attack, distribution, or misuse—which can alternatively lead to a host of legal issues. Businesses must develop trust with their clients, often promoting confidence through ensured network security.
Preserving access to network resources
Preserving access to network resources is a critical function of network security. Businesses that provide effective internal network security are outfitted for the digital future by providing safe and effective access to users, whether onsite or remote. Without these systems in place, there is a profound restriction on collaborative efforts among employees due to lack of virtual, secure access to the network.
What are the challenges with network security?
Along with great benefits, network security can be misused or mismanaged, effectively resulting in hindrances to productivity, as well as lack of visibility. Some challenges with network security include:
Exploitation of privileged access
Exploitation of privileged access is a key challenge with network security. With the landscape of employee expectations changing due to health crises, many individuals are working from home or abroad. Businesses are more susceptible to violations of access due to a lack of secondary and tertiary authentication factors when signing into a private network. Businesses must combat this through multi-factor verifications. This requires a closely monitored system, and many businesses do not have the manpower required to consistently monitor for nuanced alerts to misuse.
Complexities within network data sharing
Complexities within network data sharing are another resulting challenge to network security. Because data architectures are not all created equally, businesses face massive hurdles in their network security framework. The goal is seamless sharing and distribution of data within a protected network; however, functionality or formatting issues often contribute to data loss, lack of integration within platforms, and overall knowledge deficiencies within the management staff on how to operate properly within differing data platforms and structures.
Issues with proper visibility
Issues with proper visibility are key challenges in the inherent architecture of network security. With a variety of devices constantly joining and leaving, access oversight can become overwhelming to the staff that is tasked with managing traffic within a private network. IT staff often lack the personnel and resources to effectively manage and maintain network security. Due to lack of staff or experience, visibility can be restricted further.
HPE and network security
HPE OEM partnership with Rheinmetall is transforming network security through cyberattack mitigation in real time. Available through the HPE OEM program, in partnership with Rheinmetall Security Appliance, even the stealthiest cyber attackers cannot gain access to privileged information with HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen10 servers and Aruba ClearPass.
With an overwhelming number of transient containers flooding enterprise organizations’ data landscapes, many businesses have encountered network visibility and security restrictions that come with container environments. And because containers are dynamic and scalable, visibility and control issues often stem from this data environment. HPE and Aruba provide a framework built on 360 degrees of analytics-driven attack detection and response to reduce threats. Helping businesses reduce risk across mobile, cloud, and IoT, HPE and Aruba are modernizing enterprise network security.
HPE Pensando SmartNIC allows organizations to experience hardware-based networking and security acceleration. Incorporating hardware telemetry, firewalling, encryption, and micro-segmentation, this offering simplifies data encryption through the GUI or API.