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To build an effective defense against network security threats, it’s essential to have a deep grasp of the fundamental concepts of network security. In this blog post, we’ll delve into these crucial principles, including network architecture, key concepts, and available controls and resources.
Network Architecture
Network architecture defines how devices within a network are structured. These architectures typically fall into two categories: Peer-to-Peer (P2P) and Client/Server.
Peer-to-Peer Model
In a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network, all devices share equal privileges and responsibilities. Each node can serve as a storage device, allowing files and resources to be shared across the network. This architecture is common in home networks.
Client-Server Model
The Client-Server network architecture employs a central controller or “server” connected to client devices. The server handles tasks like storage, processing, and security, making it the preferred choice for enterprise networks, including large-scale Wide-Area Networks (WANs).
Edge Computing
In recent years, a hybrid network architecture has emerged, especially with the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT). In this setup, some storage and processing tasks are delegated to edge devices closer to the clients, enhancing efficiency.
Network Clients
Network clients have evolved beyond mere terminals. They now encompass both hardware and software systems that interact with network servers. Various types of network clients include:
- Thick Client: Also known as a workstation, thick clients can locally store and process data without heavy reliance on the server.
- Thin Client: These clients depend on the server for computing, making them suitable for applications that require remote server resources.
- Hybrid Client: Combining elements of both thick and thin clients, hybrid clients can perform limited processing locally while relying on the server for data storage. An example is online gaming, which involves local processing and interactions with remote game servers.
Servers
Servers form the backbone of a network, capable of large-scale processing and vast storage. Depending on how resources are shared and communication occurs, the server-client model can be categorized into two main types:
- Request-Response: In this model, clients send requests to servers, which then perform actions and respond accordingly.
- Publish-Subscribe: Clients subscribe to services on a server, and when new information is available, the server sends responses to the subscribed clients.
Key Concepts of Network Security
Network security is primarily concerned with maintaining secure communications. This involves several key concepts:
- Privacy: Ensuring that only authorized individuals can access data, usually achieved through encryption to prevent unauthorized interception.
- Integrity: Guaranteeing that communications are unaltered from the sender’s side and reach the receiver as intended.
- Availability: Ensuring that network resources are available when needed, with the network infrastructure functioning as intended.
- Authentication: Verifying the identities of users and devices on the network, establishing trust between sender and receiver.
- Non-Repudiation: Enabling the tracing of actions back to the user or device that performed them.
Network Authentication vs. Network Authorization
Network security includes both authentication and authorization processes, which are distinct but interconnected:
Network Authentication: Authentication verifies that users and services on the network are who they claim to be, separating legitimate users from unwarranted ones. Methods of network authentication include password authentication, two-factor authentication (2FA), token authentication, biometric authentication, transactional authentication, and single sign-on (SSO).
Network Authorization: Authorization confirms whether authenticated users have permission to access requested resources. It follows authentication and should adhere to the Principle of Least Privilege (PLoP) to minimize security risks.
In summary, understanding the fundamental concepts of network security is critical for network administrators in today’s dynamic, cloud-driven, and mobility-centric corporate networks. Embracing a robust authentication and authorization process, along with a Zero Trust security framework, is essential to safeguard networks from evolving security threats.
Conclusion
Protecting corporate networks from attackers and ensuring data security is a top priority for network administrators. A solid grasp of network security fundamentals is crucial to making the best use of available tools, applications, and systems, and safeguarding networks against threats.