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What is network security?

Learn how to protect your sensitive data from cyberthreats using network security principles, solutions, and best practices.
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Network security refers to solutions, tools, and best practices that protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of computer networks and the sensitive data they store. These measures help your organization prevent unauthorized access, detect security breaches, and respond to cyberattacks, allowing you to minimize risks, comply with regulatory standards, and establish trust.

Key takeaways

  • Network security is a subset of cybersecurity that refers to tools and policies that protect networks against cyberattacks.
  • Common cyberattacks include denial-of-service (DoS), man-in-the-middle, lateral threat movement, and brute force.
  • A comprehensive defense system may consist of firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), virtual private networks (VPNs), antivirus software, and encryption—as well as cloud-based security services such as security service edge (SSE) and security access service edge (SASE).
  • These tools are used to defend against malware, ransomware, phishing, and insider threats.
  • For effective network security management, it is essential that organizations centralize their management using cloud-based security solutions.

Exploring network security and cybersecurity

By bringing together cybersecurity, Zero Trust principles, and robust network security solutions, your organization can better protect your data and maintain operational resilience.

Cybersecurity is a broad set of principles and practices that organizations use to protect their networks, applications, data, and devices from cyberattacks. Network security is a subset of cybersecurity that focuses on the technology and best practices that organizations use to protect their systems against threats. They work together to form a comprehensive, multilayered defense system that protects against a wide variety of threats, including:
 
  • Distributed denial of service (DoS) attacks that target websites and servers by disrupting network services with traffic.
  • Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, where hackers steal sensitive information by eavesdropping on communications between two targets.
  • Brute force attacks, which use trial and error to crack passwords, logins, and encryption keys.
  • Data breaches and data exfiltration, where private information or confidential data is stolen.
  • Insider threats, where teammates who have been given access to resources accidentally or intentionally contribute to security incidents.
  • Lateral threat movements, where attackers continue to move through a network in search of data using a variety of tools.
  • Viruses.
A comprehensive defense system helps mitigate these threats using a wide variety of network security tools, including:
 
  • Centralized cloud-based security management.
  • Firewalls, which limit who can enter the network and what they can do.
  • An IDS or an IPS, which monitors the network for suspicious activity.
  • VPNs, which use encryption to create a secure connection to the network.
  • Endpoint protection services.
  • Tools to help manage Identity and access.
  • Antivirus software.
  • Secure email gateways.
  • Visibility and analytics.
  • Encryption tools.

The role of network security services

Network security services, especially managed, cloud-based security services, are essential for protecting an organization’s systems. These services help support many facets of network security, including:
 
  • Traffic management. Firewalls control incoming and outgoing traffic based on predefined security rules. Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) monitor network traffic in real time for suspicious activity while secure web gateways (SWG) filter out web traffic to block malware.
  • Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) protection. Network security tools help defend against DDoS attacks that aim to overwhelm network resources.
  • Extended detection and response (XDR). XDR is an emerging approach to cybersecurity that detects and responds to threats across endpoints, networks, cloud workloads, and other contexts.
  • Security information and event management (SIEM). SIEM solutions provide a comprehensive SecOps experience across the entire enterprise by collecting and analyzing logs from across the network for threat detection and compliance.
  • Vulnerability management. Security teams may use vulnerability management tools like penetration testing to uncover weaknesses in the network. They may also use consulting services to create a tailored security framework to meet their unique needs and risk profiles. This may consist of customizing policies, establishing compliance controls, and training their teams.
  • Incident response. Network security services support rapid incident response. When a threat is detected, security teams isolate the affected systems, remove the threat, and restore backup data, in turn minimizing damage and preventing similar attacks in the future.
  • Threat intelligence and analytics. By delivering round-the-clock surveillance and protection, these services help organizations anticipate, detect, and respond to indicators of compromise—before they escalate into major incidents.

Best practices for effective network security management

Effective network security management is critical for protecting sensitive data, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering operational resilience. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, organizations must adopt a layered, proactive approach—anchored in Zero Trust principles. This means assuming breach, continuously verifying access, and enforcing strict controls across users, devices, and applications.

Effective network security management is essential for protecting sensitive data, maintaining regulatory compliance, and driving operational efficiency. Here are some best practices to consider:
 
  • Implement strong access controls. Consider using least privilege principles, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and role-based access.
  • Adopt a defense-in-depth strategy. To reduce the risk of a single point of failure, layer multiple security controls, such as firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, and endpoint protection.
  • Follow Zero Trust principles. Verify every access request based on identity, device health, location, and risk. Enforce adaptive access policies across your entire network.
  • Regularly update and patch your systems. Protect your software components and fix known vulnerabilities by applying automated updates to your systems.
  • Conduct continuous monitoring. Consider adopting security information and event management (SIEM) tools so that you may monitor and detect anomalies in real time.
  • Define and enforce security policies. Meet regulatory requirements and internal standards by ensuring that security rules and access controls are consistently applied throughout your network.
  • Establish an incident response plan. Prepare for potential breaches with defined steps, roles, and communication strategies.
  • Conduct regular audits. Identify gaps in security policies, controls, and compliance so that they can be addressed in future risk management plans. To conduct an audit, security teams may track access logs and system changes.
  • Implement data loss prevention (DLP). Monitor and control data movement to prevent unauthorized sharing or leakage—especially from insider threats.
  • Segment your network. Use network segmentation to isolate sensitive systems and limit lateral movement in event of compromise.
  • Train your security team. Educate your organization on security best practices—so your teams have the resources they need to be the first line of defense against cyberattacks.

Benefits and challenges in network security

When it comes to maintaining strong network security, organizations face a plethora of challenges, including:
 
  • Advanced threats, such as malware, ransomware, and supply chain attacks, which can infiltrate systems and endpoints, steal sensitive data, or disrupt operations.
  • Phishing attacks that trick users into revealing confidential information or granting access to malicious actors, often through deceptive emails or messages.
  • Insider threats, whether intentional or accidental, where teammates misuse their access, potentially leading to data breaches or security incidents.
  • The ability to support a growing number of devices and environments as the networks grow more complex.
  • The challenge of managing dozens of sprawling, disconnected security tools.
  • Regulatory pressure that continues to evolve across industries and geographies.
     
Despite these challenges, it is essential for organizations to invest in comprehensive security solutions and practices—and to maintain a proactive approach to network security. A robust network security solution can:
 
  • Protect your sensitive data by preventing unauthorized access to this data.
  • Help ensure regulatory compliance with industry regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX through policy enforcement, audits, and reporting.
  • Help strengthen the organization’s operational resilience and long-term success in an increasingly threat-prone security landscape.
  • Demonstrate responsibility and reliability to customers, partners, and regulators.
  • Boost scalability and flexibility using modern solutions like SASE and ZTNA.
  • Improve user experience through integrated security models that protect users, especially in hybrid and remote work settings.

Emerging trends in network security

Network security is constantly changing to meet the challenges of ever-evolving cyber threats. These trending new services are transforming how organizations approach network security, resulting in more adaptive, intelligent, and resilient systems.

Here are some emerging trends:
 
  • Zero Trust architecture. Zero Trust architecture (ZTA) emphasizes the principle of “never trust, always verify,” requiring continuous authentication and authorization of users and devices. Zero Trust minimizes risk within networks by limiting user privileges, enhancing protection against insider threats.
  • Cyber threat intelligence. By analyzing vast amounts of data for patterns and anomalies, cyberthreat intelligence uses AI and machine learning to detect threats faster. Cyberthreat intelligence can also automate routine security tasks such as threat detection, incident response, and log analysis, improving efficiency and accuracy overall.
  • Cloud-based security solutions. Cloud-based security solutions offer scalable and flexible protection for remote workforces and distributed systems. By providing centralized security management across hybrid environments, these solutions shift the focus to data-centric models, ensuring secure access and data protection in cloud-based environments.
  • AI-powered access security. As organizations adopt AI-powered tools and agents, securing access to these systems has become critical. New solutions are emerging to ensure that these tools are being used safely and responsibly.
  • AI-powered defense tools and agents. AI is now being embedded across the security stack. These tools use behavioral analytics, predictive modeling, and real-time insights to detect and respond to threats.
  • Secure enterprise browsers. Secure browsers defend against web-based threats, preventing data leaks and malware infections by isolating risky content and enforcing granular access controls.
  • SSE and SASE models. Modern architectures like SSE and SASE bring identity, networking, and security into one unified cloud platform, allowing better support for Zero Trust and AI-ready governance.

How to choose a network security solution

When selecting the right network security solution for your organization’s specific needs, you’ll want to consider a variety of factors. Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Assess your needs and risks
  • Understand your assets and what needs protection.
  • Identify any potential risks or threats.
  • Examine your compliance needs and if you are subject to regulations like GDPR or HIPAA.
2. Define your requirements
  • Determine the size and complexity of your network.
  • Learn about security standards that are specific to your industry.
  • Determine whether you’ll need cloud vs. on-prem infrastructure.
  • See if services can integrate with new tools, such as SIEM and firewalls.
3. Identify core features 4. Evaluate vendors
  • Try out new vendors, focusing on overall usability, intuitive design, and ease of use.
  • Test how responsive their support is, and how often threats are updated.
  • Calculate the total cost of ownership, include licensing, implementation, training, and maintenance.
5. Run a test environment
  • Simulate attacks through test environments to see how the solution performs.
  • Involve both IT and security teams.
  • Check for false positives and response times.
6. Plan for management
  • Develop a management plan for both in-house and outsourced providers.
  • Ensure that there are processes for monitoring, patching, and incident response.

Microsoft security and network security solutions

Help your organization be better prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead—by adopting a comprehensive defense-in-depth strategy that spans identity, endpoint, and network.

Learn more about Microsoft’s security service edge (SSE) solutions:

Microsoft Entra Private Access is an identity centric Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution that helps remove risk while boosting user productivity. Quickly and securely connect users from any device and any network to private apps.

Microsoft Entra Internet Access is an identity-centric secure web gateway that extends conditional access to internet destinations, SaaS apps, and AI services—delivering more secure access while also protecting against internet-based threats.

Together, Microsoft Entra Internet Access and Microsoft Entra Private Access comprise Microsoft's Security Service Edge (SSE) solution—built upon the core principles of Zero Trust to use least privilege, verify explicitly, and assume breach.
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Frequently asked questions

  • Network security is the practice of protecting computer networks, as well as the data they carry, from cyberthreats and other forms of unauthorized access. It involves different products, solutions, and best practices designed to safeguard network resources.
  • Common types of network security measures include firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), antivirus and anti-malware software, and data loss prevention (DLP) tools.
  • Network security works by using a multilayered approach to help protect against cyberthreats. Firewalls and access controls, for instance, help filter traffic, ensuring that only authorized users can access network resources. IDS and IPS monitors for unusual behavior or known threats, while antivirus software scans for and removes harmful code.
  • Organizations need network security to protect their sensitive data against threats. Effective network security safeguards internal communications and supports overall organizational resilience—in turn reducing risk, ensuring data integrity, and supporting long-term growth and stability.
  • The challenges of network security revolve around the constantly evolving nature of cyberthreats, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Businesses must also contend with securing a growing number of devices and environments as their networks grow more complex. Insider threats pose additional risks, as do gaps caused by outdated software or poor security practices.
  • Secure access service edge (SASE) is a modern, cloud-based approach to network security that combines networking and security into a single, unified service. Unlike traditional network security, SASE is primarily designed for cloud-centric environments, incorporating software-defined wide area networks (SD-WANs), secure web gateways (SWGs), and Zero Trust network access for more flexibility, scalability, and real-time protection, regardless of location.

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