How to Detect and Control Network Security Threats

How to Detect and Control Network Security Threats

Would you ever leave the front door of your home wide open and unlocked? Odds are you wouldn't.

The same should stand true for your network.

Your network likely holds a lot of data. Networks house customer information, business documents, and other confidential and sensitive information.

In other words? A hackers goldmine!

It's critical to protect your company's assets, especially digital ones. Without proper protection, the risk of a data breach grows exponentially.

Did you know that the average data breach costs $3.62 million? Protecting your network is no longer optional.

One of the keys to protecting your network is understanding network security threats. You don't have to be a cyber security expert to understand the terminology, and knowing the basics is helpful.

Network Security Threats 101

A network security threat is a vulnerability on your network. While no network can be 100% vulnerability free, you must understand and reduce the risks. Common vulnerabilities include:

• non-updated server patches
• unsecured wireless access points
• software backdoors
• use of default username/password

A network vulnerability can be exploited by an internal or external threat. Unaddressed vulnerabilities leave your company open to:

• a security breach
• loss of data
• service outage

Want to minimize the risk of a successful network attack? Looking to avoid the dangers of having an improperly secured network? If so, keep reading to learn more about protecting your company.

Here are three tips for detecting and controlling network security threats.

1. Use Security Best Practices.

The first way to protect your network is to implement standard security controls. A secure network should use:

• routine patching
• two-factor authentication
• restrictive administrative access
• network segmentation
• vulnerability scanning
• security monitoring

With these best practices, your network is less vulnerable to network security threats. This means an attacker is less likely to be successful.

To determine which tools are best for your network, conduct a vulnerability and risk assessment. A through assessment will identify threats and determine the best safeguards.

2. Understand Commonly Used Attacks.

Attacks continue to grow and morph. It is important to know what attacks your network is most vulnerable to. While there are dozens of network attacks, some are more popular than others.

The most common network-based attacks include:

• denial-of-service (DoS)
• identity spoofing
• man-in-the-middle
• sniffer
• browser-based
• brute force
• SSL

Understanding these methods allows you to better understand how to protect your network.

3. Cyber Security Awareness and Training

Creating a culture of cybersecurity within your company is crucial. Shouldn't all employees understand how to protect the assets and data they use?

Training users about network security threats and cyber security best practices is a must. Employee training reduces the risk of insider threat. Training also decreases risky employee behavior.

Looking for the best way to protect your company's network and data?

Informed employees and secured networks are a promising combination.

Protect your Company by Protecting its Network

Don't let your network go unprotected any longer. Protect your business assets with risk and vulnerability assessments, and web application security.

Leave the security work to us. We will secure your assets while you grow your company.

Contact The Driz Group to get started. We offer vulnerability assessments and management, and a variety of cyber security services.