Any savvy business leader knows that network and security go hand-in-hand. However, it’s getting harder than ever to shield modern businesses from evolving cyber threats and ever-increasing data breaches. In fact, Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that the damage from hacks and breaches will hit $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
Add to that the fact that networks today are getting more sophisticated and harder to manage. Instead of one well-defined network, many of today’s businesses have hybrid setups with both cloud and on-premise architecture. This environment requires the next generation of network security technologies and approaches.
But what is network security’s role in today’s business landscape? In this article, we’ll explore some specific benefits of network security and discuss the different types of solutions available to you. Let’s dive in.
What is Network Security in Today’s Advanced Networks?
In simple terms, network security is the practice of protecting computer networks, their resources, and the people who use them from unauthorized access, attacks, and breaches. To achieve this, a combination of technologies, policies, and procedures are employed that strive to ensure the protection and integrity of the network itself.
The digital landscape is rife with cyber threats like viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. These can compromise sensitive data and valuable information, disrupt services, and put people at risk, and can also lead to costly lawsuits and long-term reputational damage for organizations. As the digital world continues to advance and evolve, comprehensive network protection is becoming more critical than ever.
6 Powerful Benefits of Network Security for Modern Organizations
Clearly, network security is a must. But what is network security’s main advantage and how does it help organizations in the modern business landscape? The answer is that there are many benefits of network security. Let’s look at the top six.
1. Ensures End-to-End Security
Today’s modern networks have gone beyond the traditional infrastructure with a defined perimeter that has a combination of on-premise and cloud layouts. This environment makes it much more difficult to protect, which is why network security is important for ensuring end-to-end security and protecting the overall system. It encompasses a multifaceted approach that involves various measures to thwart unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyber threats.
For instance, SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) technology shifts the focus from hardware-based security to cloud-based, making it much more flexible and versatile to cover a wider network.
2. Protects Customer Data
According to an IBM report, the average cost of a data breach in 2023 was a whopping $4.45 million — and this figure is only expected to rise in the coming years. That’s why network security is critical in protecting user data.
Network security plays a pivotal role in safeguarding customer data by implementing a comprehensive array of measures designed to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information. Protocols such as data encryption and firewall-as-a-service make it harder for hackers and cyber thieves to access sensitive information and exploit it for malicious intent.
3. Builds Trust
Network security plays a pivotal role in fostering trust between businesses and consumers. By implementing robust security measures, organizations demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining the privacy of their customers. The visible presence of security protocols such as encryption and regular security updates communicates a proactive approach to risk mitigation, reassuring consumers that their online experiences are secure and reliable.
As news of data breaches and cyberattacks become increasingly prevalent, businesses that prioritize network security not only protect themselves from potential liabilities but also establish a foundation of trust that is essential for long-term customer relationships and brand credibility.
4. Improves Customer Experiences
By establishing a secure environment, businesses provide customers with better overall experiences. Robust security measures contribute to the prevention of downtime and disruptions caused by cyber incidents, ensuring that customers can access services and information whenever they need to.
Moreover, streamlined network security processes reduce the hassle for customers, enhancing convenience while maintaining a high level of protection. Overall, network security not only protects sensitive information but also fosters a positive and friction-free digital journey, leading to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.
5. Improves Network Performance
By implementing effective network security measures, organizations can mitigate the risks of unauthorized access, data breaches, and malicious activities. This reduction in security threats leads to fewer network disruptions and downtime, allowing network resources to be fully utilized.
Furthermore, optimized security measures can prevent bandwidth bottlenecks caused by malware or denial-of-service attacks, ensuring a seamless flow of data and efficient utilization of network resources. Denial of service attacks overload the network with traffic and make it unresponsive. Network security protocols like DDoS Protection can prevent these breaches from happening and maintain a healthy network performance.
Furthermore, network security services can segment traffic based on metrics like priority and security. This prevents unnecessary traffic from flowing in, minimizing congestion and improving data flow.
6. Provides Cost-Savings
One of the biggest benefits of network security and management is preventing costly breaches and hacks. By implementing robust network security measures, companies can mitigate risks and prevent breaches that can result in devastating financial consequences. A well-protected network prevents the loss of sensitive information, intellectual property, and customer data, avoiding potential legal penalties, regulatory fines, and damage to brand reputation.
Furthermore, a secure network minimizes downtime caused by security incidents, ensuring uninterrupted operations and preventing revenue losses associated with service disruptions. The investment in proactive network security measures is far more economical than the reactive approach of recovering from security breaches, making it an indispensable component of a cost-effective and resilient business strategy.
Additionally, network security automates many of the administrative processes for IT departments, freeing up staff to focus on more important tasks like response and remediation.
Network Security Types
SASE
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a framework that combines network security and wide area network (WAN) capabilities into a unified, cloud-based service. It allows organizations to manage the entire network from a centralized location easily.
SASE is beneficial for providing comprehensive security to complex network infrastructures, including those with multiple branches and remote offices. It can accommodate an increasing number of mobile and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
ZTNA
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a network security protocol based on the “never trust, always verify” approach. That means ZTNA assumes that no one, whether inside or outside the network, should be trusted by default. Thus, they must be continuously verified before accessing specific resources.
ZTNA is a great option for networks that involve third-party access. This allows vendors or partners to access only resources they’re authorized to without compromising more sensitive sectors of the network.
Firewall as a Service
Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) provides the functionality of a firewall but without being constrained by physical hardware or on-premise systems. It allows organizations to implement and manage firewall policies in the cloud.
FWaaS is especially crucial for organizations with wide-area networks (WAN) that are predominantly cloud-based. That’s because traditional firewalls only work with a defined perimeter.
DDoS Protection
DDoS Protection is a security measure designed to defend against Dedicated Denial of Service attacks. It identifies abnormal traffic patterns from legitimate ones and then tries to redirect that traffic away from the network.
DDoS Protection is crucial for any large network. However, it’s especially vital for mission-critical businesses (such as financial institutions, governments, and hospitals) that need to service large groups of people without interruption. It’s also key protection for high-profile websites that attract hackers’ attention.
Active Directory Security
Active Directory is a Microsoft service that provides a centralized database of users, computers, groups, and policies in a network. That makes it a prime target for hackers, which is why securing it is essential.
Active Directory Security is essential for organizations that use Active Directory as their primary management approach. It can prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats.
Network Security Solutions from MetTel
MetTel provides a comprehensive suite of managed network services that does all the heavy lifting for you. From SASE to DDoS protection and ZTNA security, our powerful network security solutions ensure you’re always one step ahead.
When you partner with MetTel, you’re backed by a trusted name that exceeds industry standards. In fact, we’ve been named a 5X Leader in Gartner’s 2024 Magic Quadrant for Managed Network Services.
Ready to experience our network security services for yourself? Contact us today to learn more!