Elements of Network Security
Introduction
The primary objective of a network security system is to, in a cost effective manner, balance convenient access to legitimate users and inaccessibility to attackers. In a nutshell, the goal is to prevent connectivity to anyone intending to cause harm to the network. The harm to which this paper refers can come in the following forms:
1. Application-level security threats, such as e-mail viruses and attachments.
2. Threats to network infrastructure devices.
3. Theft of network connectivity services.
4. Unauthorized access from internal and external sources.
5. Denial of service attacks.
Using a proper network security strategy reduces and, in some cases, even avoids the listed harmful attacks from occurring on a network (Gary, T., et al, Mar. 2002). This paper will discuss such a strategy used by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), as well as the strategy's three primary elements: prevention, detection, and recovery.
Prevention
Surprisingly, the most common threat to a company's information assets does not come from the sly and cunning computer hacker that is glamorized by Hollywood movies, but from human error, inappropriate disclosures, and sheer carelessness on the part of the company's employees. Hackers who do intentionally tamper with the company's network often do so because they are tempted by assets they know are poorly protected. Weak security policies present the image that a company does not truly value its assets, which in turn attracts the petty thief and curiosity seeker. Therefore, the preventive element of any network security system should include a strong and enforceable security policy for its employees to follow, re-enforced by a form ...
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...y is ultimately in the hands of people, making them the greatest tool in defending the system, or the weakest link that will lead to the systems failure.
References:
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Security of the companies data is one of the most important components which allows the business to perform its day to day operation using various networking devices, services that absolutely needs to be protected from intruders. Some of these devices include online transactions, the exchange of data between users and clients both internal and external and external web data needs to be secured. There are several polices that would need to be configured such as a web sever and firewall configurations. However, with these configurations the first and most important task is to identify any vulnerabilities or loopholes in security within the company. The company has both LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and a web sever. These resources need to be secured at all times from hackers or anyone else by implementing the appropriate security measures.
Whitman, M. E. & Mattord, H. J. (2011) Principles of Information Security. Boston: Course Technology. (Whitman & Mattord, 2011)
Diffie, Whitfield. (2008). Information Security: 50 Years Behind, 50 Years Ahead. Communications of the ACM. 51(1), 55-57.
Security helps the organization meet its business objectives or mission by protecting its physical and financial resources, reputation, legal position, employees, and other tangible and intangible assets through the selection and application of appropriate safeguards. Businesses should establish roles and responsibilities of all personnel and staff members. However, a Chief Information Officer should be appointed to direct an organization’s day to day management of information assets. Supporting roles are performed by the service providers and include systems operations, whose personnel design and operate the computer systems. Each team member must be held accountable in ensuring all of the rules and policies are being followed, as well as, understanding their roles, responsibilities and functions. Organizations information processing systems are vulnerable to many threats that can inflict various types of damage that can result in significant losses (Harris, 2014). Losses can come from actions from trusted employees that defraud the system, outside hackers, or from careless data entry. The major threat to information protection is error and omissions that data entry personnel, users, system operators and programmers make. To better protect business information resources, organizations should conduct a risk analysis to see what
A public utility company employed SecureState to repair their internal and external network security. Consequently, SecureState was able to access the network due to a variety of exploits. Many threats would not be present if systems were updated with the latest operating software and patches and were properly configured. This engagement revealed several critical problems within the client’s system, allowing SecureState to gain access to more resources than intended. The improperly segmented networks combined with easily exploitable vulnerabilities can allow attackers to gain access to entire networks potentially causing untold levels of damage.
In 1980, James Anderson’s paper, Computer Security Threat Monitoring and Surveillance, bore the notion of intrusion detection. Through government funding and serious corporate interest allowed for intrusion detection systems(IDS) to develope into their current state. So what exactly is IDS? An IDS is used to detect malicious network traffic and computer usage through attack signatures. The IDS watches for attacks not only from incoming internet traffic but also for attacks that originate in the system. When a potential attack is detected the IDS logs the information and sends an alert to the console. How the alert is detected and handled at is dependent on the type of IDS in place. Through this paper we will discuss the different types of IDS and how they detect and handle the alerts, the difference between a passive and a reactive system and some general IDS intrusion invasion techniques.
This paper outlines some considerations addressing a number of control objectives that is needed when designing an effective security program. The COBIT framework will be utilized to provide control objectives in IT and “Ensure Systems Security”, that covers many of the areas outlined in this paper. The PCS Security Program will adopt a risk management approach to information security. This requires the identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities and threats that can adversely impact PCS information assets. This Information Security Program Charter serves as the high point document for the PCS Information Security Program.
As electronic commerce, online business-to-business operations, and global connectivity have become vital components of a successful business strategy, enterprises have adopted security processes and practices to protect information assets. But if you look at today's computing environments, system security is a horrible game of numbers: there are currently over 9,223 publicly released vulnerabilities covering known security holes in a massive range of applications from popular Operating Systems through to obscure and relatively unknown web applications. [01] Over 300 new vulnerabilities are being discovered and released each month. Most companies work diligently to maintain an efficient, effective security policy, implementing the latest products and services to prevent fraud, vandalism, sabotage, and denial of service attacks. But the fact is you have to patch every hole of your system, but an attacker need find only one to get into your environment. Whilst many organisations subscribe to major vendor's security alerts, these are just the tip of the security iceberg and even these are often ignored. For example, the patch for the Code Red worm was available some weeks before the worm was released. [02]
Roberts, Richard M. "Network Secrurity." Networking Fundamentals. 2nd ed. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox, 2005. 599-639. Print.
Whitman, M., & Mattord, H. (2010). Management of information security. (3rd ed., p. 6). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
It has been demonstrated that a number of interoperable systems must be implemented to fully protect a network; a strategy known as Defense in Depth. Due to the multitude of security devices and device categories available, it can be very difficult to identify the correct tools for meeting security goals. Using the Defense in Depth strategy will require an understanding of the interactions between devices occuring within the network.
ABSTRACT : This paper describes the basic threats to the network security and the basic issues of interest in designing a secure network. it describes the important aspects of network security. A secure network is one which is free of unauthorized entries and hackers. INTRODUCTION
...vantage of the overall network design and implement usable subnets with virtual local area networks. Use encryption and encapsulation to secure communications of public segments to enable extranets and cross-Internet company traffic. Use items such as intrusion detection systems and firewalls to keep unauthorized users out and monitor activity. Taken together, these pieces can make a secure network that is efficient, manageable, and effective.
Melford, RJ 1993, 'Network security ', The Internal Auditor, vol. 50, no. 1, p. 18.
A critical part of network planning involves setting up of security mechanisms. Deploying the network with security configuration provides superior visibility, continuous control and advanced threat protection across the extended network. Additionally, security procedures define policies to monitor the network for securing critical data, obtain visibility, mitigate threats, identify and correlate discrepancies.