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Network Security

Network security focuses on protecting the integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility of data as it travels across networks. This section provides insights into key principles, technologies, and best practices to help build a secure and resilient network.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

What Is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) uses two or more different types of authentication to verify a user’s identity. It was originally created to make it more difficult for an attacker to gain access to an account if they’ve guessed the user’s password or it has been exposed in a breach. Today, MFA is ubiquitous, used to secure...

7m read

Enterprise Architecture

What Is Enterprise Architecture: Definition and how to implement

Enterprise architecture is designed to align an organization’s IT infrastructure with the needs of the business. Its purpose is to ensure that an organization has the solutions in place to meet its goals, support digital transformation, and enable future business growth. Definition and Use Cases of Enterprise Architecture Enterprise architecture is the process of intentionally...

5m read

Token-based Authentication

What Is Token-based Authentication?

While passwords are the most common form of authentication, they’re not the only option and not always the best choice. For example, passwords require someone to have a unique, strong password for each account. Token-based authentication encodes authentication data within a token. This token can be sent to other applications, which read the authentication data...

6m read

Authentication vs Authorization

Authentication vs. Authorization: Exploring Differences and Similarities

Authentication and authorization represent two of the three “A’s” in identity and access management (IAM). Along with accounting, they are crucial to an organization’s cybersecurity strategy. Without the ability to verify a user’s identity and privileges, it’s impossible to differentiate between legitimate access to corporate systems and potential attacks. Authentication verifies a user’s identity, thereby...

7m read

Network as a Service (NaaS)

What Is Network as a Service (NaaS)? A Complete Guide for IT Professionals

Network management is complex and expensive for many organizations. Deploying network infrastructure incurs up-front costs for network hardware and requires specialized expertise to set up and configure correctly. Operational costs can also be significant, as companies pay to monitor, manage, and maintain all this hardware and adapt it to the evolving needs of the business....

8m read

Network Segmentation

What Is Network Segmentation, and Common Segmentation Strategies

Network segmentation breaks the network into discrete segments with defined boundaries. Next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) or similar security solutions inspect traffic attempting to cross these boundaries, which can identify malicious content and apply access controls. Network segmentation can enhance network security and performance. By inhibiting lateral movement of threats through the network, it reduces the likelihood...

6m read

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

What is Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)?

Security information and event management (SIEM) solutions collect security data from various sources, analyze it, and generate security alerts and reports. The context provided by multi-source security data enables SIEM tools to more accurately identify potential threats and streamlines the process of detecting and responding to potential cyberattacks. Importance of SIEM in Cybersecurity Security teams...

5m read

Network Gateway

Network Gateway: The Essential Guide for IT Leaders

A network gateway acts as an intermediary between two networks. It can play different roles, such as translating between incompatible network protocols or implementing network security functionality at the network boundary. Network gateways differ from traditional routers and switches because they are designed to connect two different networks together. In contrast, routers and switches are...

5m read

Network Detection and Response

What is Network Detection and Response (NDR)?: The Ultimate Guide for IT Leaders

Network detection and response is a network security technology designed to monitor, identify, and respond to potential threats within network traffic. NDR solutions perform continuous monitoring and incorporate advanced functionality, such as AI-based threat detection and automated responses to security incidents. Since most threats come over the network, NDR is critical to gaining visibility and...

7m read

Network Segmentation Best Practices

10 Network Segmentation Best Practices for Robust Cybersecurity in 2024

Network segmentation involves dividing a network into isolated segments based on sensitivity and business needs. By implementing segmentation, an organization can limit the potential impact of network intrusions and support a zero trust architecture. In a segmented network, traffic crossing segment boundaries must pass through a firewall, which can implement access controls and look for...

7m read

Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Data Loss Prevention (DLP): A Comprehensive Guide for IT Leaders

A data loss prevention (DLP) solution ensures that sensitive data isn’t shared with unauthorized recipients. It is a critical component of a corporate data security strategy since it helps organizations maintain visibility and control over sensitive data in their care and comply with regulatory requirements. How DLP Technologies Work The primary goal of DLP solutions...

9m read

Principle of Least Privilege (POLP)

The Principle of Least Privilege (POLP)

The principle of least privilege (POLP) states that access should be limited only to what is required for a user’s, application’s, or device’s role within the organization. Implementing POLP is vital to managing the organization’s exposure to cyber threats by restricting the damage that can be done by a compromised account or potential error. Key...

7m read

Network Security Management

Network Security Management: A Comprehensive Guide for IT Teams

Network security management involves implementing processes, policies, and tools to protect the organization’s network infrastructure, data, and IT assets. A failure to implement strong network security management can introduce security gaps that an attacker could exploit to steal sensitive data or harm the availability and performance of corporate systems. Common Network Security Management Challenges Network...

9m read

Identity Access Management (IAM)

Identity Access Management (IAM): A Comprehensive Guide for IT Leaders

Identity and Access Management (IAM) frameworks manage digital identities and access to corporate resources. They enhance security by protecting against unauthorized access and tracking actions taken by authenticated entities. Key Components of IAM IAM manages user identities from account creation to deletion. Some of the key functions of an IAM system include the following: Identification...

12m read

Micro Segmentation

What is Microsegmentation?

Microsegmentation divides a corporate network into small, independent segments that contain only a single or few computers. The purpose of network segmentation is to enable granular security visibility and policy enforcement since all network traffic crossing segment boundaries is inspected by a firewall. These granular network security policies enable stronger access controls and help organizations...

7m read

Security Orchestration Automation and Response (SOAR)

Security Orchestration Automation and Response (SOAR): A Comprehensive Guide for IT Leaders

SOAR solutions help organizations to enhance the efficiency of security teams. This is accomplished by increasing integration between security tools, automating key processes, and enabling rapid, automated responses to security threats. The Three Pillars of SOAR: Orchestration, Automation, and Response SOAR solutions are designed to provide three main capabilities, including: The Benefits of Implementing SOAR...

8m read

Macro Segmentation

What is Macrosegmentation?

Macrosegmentation is another name for traditional network segmentation in which the corporate network is broken up into isolated chunks based on systems’ sensitivities and roles within the organization. It contrasts with microsegmentation in the size of the segments and the level of granularity that it provides for access management and threat prevention. Macrosegmentation provides more...

6m read

Network Topology

Types of Network Topologies Explained

A network topology is the layout in which computers and networking hardware (switches, routers, etc.) are connected together. Different network topologies offer various benefits to the business, such as better efficiency or increased resiliency. Selecting the right network topology is important to ensure that a corporate network meets business needs. Physical vs. Logical Network Topologies...

9m read

Secure Web Gateway (SWG)

What is a Secure Web Gateway (SWG)?

A secure web gateway (SWG) is a security solution that protects users from online threats and enforces corporate web security policies. SWGs inspect web traffic and offer capabilities such as URL filtering, threat prevention, application control, data loss prevention (DLP), and SSL/TLS inspection. Why Secure Web Gateways are Critical in Today’s Threat Landscape Corporate networks...

6m read

Ransomware

What is Ransomware? Definition & Examples

Ransomware is malware that encrypts or steals an organization’s data with the goal of demanding a ransom. The logic behind this attack is that companies may be willing to pay a ransom to get the decryption key needed to restore their data or to prevent an attacker from releasing stolen, sensitive data. Ransomware has quickly...

12m read

Network Security Infrastructure

What is Network Security Infrastructure?

Network security infrastructure consists of a set of solutions designed to protect an organization’s network against cyber threats. As corporate networks grow larger and more distributed with the rise of cloud computing and remote work, network security infrastructure is essential to monitor and defend this expanded digital attack surface. Components of Network Security Infrastructure A...

8m read

Latency in Networking

What is Latency in Networking?

When a user browses the Internet, checks their email, or performs most computer-related tasks, data is transferred back and forth between their computer and an application server. Latency is the delay before this transfer of data begins following an instruction to execute its transfer. The Impact of Latency on Network Performance Although we measure network...

7m read

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