Network Security in Modern IT

-

 Network Security in Modern IT

Network security is one of the most important pieces of information technology. It focuses on protecting data as it travels through computer networks. Whether it’s your home Wi-Fi or a company’s network, network security helps keep hackers, viruses, and other threats from gaining access to important information. 


Network Security and IT Fundamentals


In this course, we learned that information technology is all about handling data; how we collect it, store it, move it, and protect it. Network security fits into this because it keeps our data safe while being shared across devices and systems. Without network security, personal data, secrets, as well as sensitive government information would be at risk. Information systems are only as secure as the networks they operate on, making network security a central focus in information technology. 


Connection to Computer Science and the History of Computers


Network security has evolved alongside the development of computer systems. In the early days of computing, systems operated in isolated environments, which reduced the risk of outside attacks. However, as the internet grew, so did the risks. As network security became more of an importance, it adapted ideas from computer science like encryption, algorithms, and system design to keep systems safe from cyber threats.


Hardware Components and System Functions


Network security relies heavily on computer hardware to work properly. Devices such as firewalls, routers, switches, and network interface cards, help monitor and control traffic as well as blocking harmful data. Firewalls, for instance, act like security guards, creating a barrier between trusted and untrusted networks, filtering traffic based on security rules. Some computers use special security hardware such as Trusted Platform Modules, to help protect passwords and encryption keys.


Programming Languages and Execution Methods


Programming languages like Python and Java are used to build tools that improve network security such as network monitoring and intrusion detection systems. Python is often used to write programs that scan for viruses or check for unusual network activity. Some programs run automatically in the background to always keep networks safe. 


Application Software in Network Security


Application software plays a significant role in network security by providing tools that help detect, prevent, and respond to threats. Antivirus software, virtual private network (VPN), intrusion detection systems (IDS), are a few examples. These programs look for threats, block harmful files, and keep sensitive information protected, making them essential components of a strong security setup.


How Network Security Uses Databases


Network security and databases work closely together. Databases often store sensitive information from unauthorized access and cyberattacks. Security tools, such as access control and data encryption, help safeguard data within a database system. They also keep track of who logs in and what changes are made in the database to identify and investigate security incidents.


Network Design, Management, and Security


A good network setup can help prevent problems before they start. A well-designed network design includes segmentation, redundancy, and secure communication protocols such as HTTPS, SSH, and VPN. Network managers use software tools to monitor traffic, enforce access controls, and deploy patches to prevent vulnerabilities. Security tools like firewalls and intrusion prevention systems are built into the system to help prevent attacks before causing critical damage.


Network security is a key part of today’s information technology. It connects to all the main areas of IT, including hardware, software, databases, and programming. As cyber threats become more advanced, protecting networks is more important than ever. Understanding the basics of IT helps us build stronger, smarter security systems to keep our digital world safe.




References


Slonopas, A. (2023, December 1). What is network security? how to keep networks safe: American Public University. APU. https://www.apu.apus.edu/area-of-study/information-technology/resources/what-is-network-security-how-to-keep-networks-safe/ 


Slonopas, Andre. (2024, July 20). IOT cybersecurity: Strengthening defenses against threats: American Public University. APU. https://www.apu.apus.edu/area-of-study/information-technology/resources/iot-cybersecurity-strengthening-defenses-against-threats/ 


What is database security: Threats & best practices: Imperva. Learning Center. (2023, December 20). https://www.imperva.com/learn/data-security/database-security/ 


Vahid, F., & Lysecky, S. (2019). Computing technology for all. zyBooks

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Programming Languages

-
  Programming languages allows us to communicate with computers effectively. This blog will reflect on my experience using Scratch, which is a simple drag-and-drop, block programming language, while also comparing it to the participation activities from Sections 2.8 through 2.11 of the textbook, exploring machine language assembly language, and high-level languages such as Python. I will discuss the challenges I faced, how I solved them, and which language I found easiest to use. My Experience with Scratch Using Scratch was a fun and interactive experience. It's drag-and-drop blocks made programming easy because I didn't have to worry about inputting codes or variables. For my Scratch project, I created an animation where four animals were racing each other through an endless loop as they were talking. I was able to make a bird and cat look like they were flying, while making a rabbit and bear walk. I used over 30 blocks, including motion, looks, and control options. Challenges...
Read more

Traveling Through A Network

-
Image
Ping and traceroute commands help us understand how data travels through networks. By using these tools, I observed how packets move between different locations and how network conditions affect performance. Ping Activity I tested three websites: Google.com (USA), Amazon Japan (.jp), and Expedia China (.cn). The ping results showed: Google.com : Had a fast response time that averaged 50.5ms and received no packet loss. Amazon Japan : Had a lower response time and averaged around 28.1ms, which was most likely due to a nearby CDN server. Expedia China : Response times varied significantly from 25.7ms to 97.2ms and was likely due to congestion or routing changes, but no showed no packet loss. These ping results showed that distance affects response times and that CDN’s can reduce latency. Traceroute Activity When running the traceroute command to the same websites, I observed that the number of hops and response patterns varied: Google.com : The packets took about 15 hops, were consistent...
Read more

Network Security

-
Network Security Protecting information and systems is essential for individuals and organizations. Cyber threats target weaknesses in software, networks, and human behavior, making security a top priority. Understanding these risks and taking preventive measures helps ensure data safety and system integrity. This paper will examine security vulnerabilities and phishing, the impact it has, and strategies used to reduce their risks. Ping Command Attacks The ping command is a diagnostic tool used to test network connectivity. However, it can be used for other purposes, leading to cyberattacks such as ping flood attacks and ping of death attacks. Ping flood attacks, also known as ICMP flood, is a Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attack that overwhelms a target with internet traffic, such as pings, to make it inaccessible. In order for a ping flood attack to work, the attacker needs to know the IP address of the recipient device and have more network bandwidth than the target network. ...
Read more