Not long ago, network security meant protecting your on-premises networks, systems, servers, gateways, and endpoints using firewalls and passwords. Most data were stored in-house, and employees accessed that data using on-premises computers. These days, most organizations are going through a digital transformation, which means their data is spread between on-premises and the cloud. Mobile devices and apps, remote work, and customer access to systems are causing companies to rethink what network security means.
Why Network Security Is So Important
With digital transformation comes an increased risk of cybersecurity threats on an organization’s networks and systems. These threats include:
- Phishing attacks – The use of emails to trick users into clicking on malicious links or sharing sensitive information.
- Internet of Things (IoT) attacks – Attacks on smart technology that connects regular, everyday items to the internet.
- Cloud-based attacks – Attacks that take place on the cloud, which can compromise an organization’s sensitive data and information.
These cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They are less predictable and more asymmetric than they once were, with more devices and people connected to company systems than ever before. This increase in exposure, along with more stringent regulations, requires a corresponding increase in security.
How to Ensure Network Security in the Digital Era
With so many more network endpoints and so many more users accessing your network, it is critical that you take the following steps to ensure network security.
Build Security into Network Strategies
As businesses transition to digital platforms, security should be woven into the core of that transformation from the very beginning. It simply cannot be an afterthought when workforces are more dispersed than ever, working remotely or in a hybrid environment.
Educate and Train your Employees
Make sure all employees are trained to recognize suspicious emails and other types of communication. Employees should also be trained in the use of passwords, including how to create a password and the safe use of their passwords, such as never sharing it with others and making it strong and secure.
Implement Multi-factor Authentication
Regardless of who is accessing your systems, whether it is employees, customers, suppliers, or other partners, it is critical that you implement multifactor authentication so they can verify their identity. This multifactor authentication can use any combination of passwords, biorecognition, security questions, and SMS codes to grant access to the right systems at the right time.
Take Advantage of Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Machine learning and AI can be used to monitor network traffic, detect attack patterns, and identify markers of sophisticated attacks. This can be set to a semi-automatic or fully automatic function that will alert administrators when a potential cyber threat is detected.
Integrate Physical and Cyber Security Policies
Cyber systems are intricately linked with physical systems. For example, physical security cameras are often used along with electronic access gates as the primary form of physical security, yet this physical infrastructure is run by and connected to software and apps on the digital plane. This requires cyber and digital security to be linked together at the policy level to ensure the utmost overall security.
Final Word
Whether you want your security to be administered and controlled in-house or you want to take advantage of Security-as-a-Service (SaaS), networks should be designed with security at the heart of an organization’s digital transformation. This requires network engineers and CIOs to work closely with one another.
Contact Platinum Technologies today to find out how we can help improve your network security during your digital transformation to minimize the risk of cyberattacks and security breaches.
