Cyber security has become a boardroom-level concern across businesses of all sizes and in a digital landscape where data rules all, protecting it is essential. As a result, organizations are prioritizing their security posture to safeguard their digital assets.
The frequency and sophistication of cyber attacks is trending upwards as threat actors adopt new technologies such as AI to refine their attacks; according to data from BT, more than 530 potential cyber attacks are logged by security professionals every second.
The costs associated with cyber attacks today mean companies can’t afford to take shortcuts when it comes to their cyber readiness. Data breaches can cripple operations, erode customer trust, incur significant financial penalties, and even result in prosecution for senior executives.
As a result, businesses are rightly investing in solutions to improve their security posture. A diverse range of products has been developed to keep up with the break-neck speed of innovation exhibited by threat actors and help enterprises protect each element of their IT estate.
Many organizations will already have invested in anti-malware software, email security systems, AI security assistants, and employee training programs, all with the goal of bolstering their cyber resilience at every level.
As the threat landscape continues to evolve with novel techniques under development, CISOs need to update their security stack to reflect the latest tactics employed by hackers. Within the multi-layered security approach required by today’s threat levels, there is a critical element to an organization’s cyber security that is often overlooked by businesses: Network security.
The importance of network security
Network security encompasses the set of measures put in place by an organization to safeguard the reliability and usability of its corporate network.
In the aftermath of technological paradigm shifts such as digital transformation and the explosion of cloud computing, networks have become integral to the operations of virtually every organization today.
In this new digital landscape, a robust corporate networking solution is an absolute necessity, regardless of what industry your business operates in.
Corporate networks act as an organization’s backbone, connecting every aspect of the business to each other. Wherever an individual employee is based, firms need them to be able to communicate with colleagues, access databases, and share resources with customers.
A network is the channel through which the entirety of an organisation's data flow, so keeping these systems up and running is a priority.
Today, businesses generate and store vast amounts of data, from relatively harmless information like engagement numbers to sensitive data such as personally identifiable information (PII), financial transactions, or intellectual property.
This data is often critical to business operations, driving everything from marketing campaigns to product development.
As a result, every business requires a reliable network in order to take advantage of this data to empower its employees and facilitate better, data-driven decision making.
This can be a double edged sword, however.
The corporate network touches almost every part of an organization’s operations and the value of the data moving through it is the fuel that keeps the business going. Compromising the corporate network can therefore be very lucrative for hackers and have dire consequences for businesses.
Beyond the firewall – traditional network security is struggling
Early implementations of network security focused primarily on securing the perimeter: The physical or digital boundary between an internal network and the rest of the internet.
This was predominantly achieved through the use of firewalls, security devices that monitor and control the traffic on a network according to a set of predefined rules.
Firewalls act as the gatekeepers on a network, filtering incoming and outgoing packets of data according to the ruleset provided by the network administrator.
This approach, known as packet filtering, is effective against basic threats but struggles with more sophisticated attack techniques.
Network security evolved to match new and more sophisticated attacks with the introduction of stateful firewalls. These analyze not only individual packets, but the entire communication session, offering businesses a more granular level of control.
Defending the perimeter is just one concern for security admins looking to shore up the integrity of their network, however. The rise of cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) has blurred the traditional concept of a network perimeter, complicating the security process.
Modern network security encompasses a combination of tools and techniques aimed at securing each part of an increasingly complex web of interconnected components.
These solutions include access controls, network segmentation, encryption, vulnerability management, and security awareness training.
Each of these tools is aimed at improving the ability to identify and prevent malicious or risky behavior inside the organization, as well as blocking unauthorized persons accessing the network.
Looking to secure your network? BT’s got your back.
Boasting over 100 years supporting businesses with their networking solutions, BT has helped over 1 million businesses of all sizes get connected, with its global network serving customers in over 180 countries.
With over 70 years’ worth of tried and tested heritage in the security space and over 3,000 cyber security professionals in the field monitoring and maintaining networks, BT understands the evolving nature of the cyber threats facing businesses today.
BT offers a comprehensive suite of network security solutions including firewalls that go beyond basic threat detection, utilizing real-time threat intelligence to identify and block the most novel attacks.
Customers can also take advantage of BT’s network segmentation products to create secure zones within a corporate network and restrict the lateral movement of a potential attacker, integral for any Zero Trust security strategy.
BT’s security experts can also help you develop a robust security strategy through its vulnerability assessments, scanning solutions, and penetration testing. This proactive approach identifies weaknesses in your network before threat actors can exploit them.
Don’t let your network become a security blindspot. Partner with BT today and leverage its expertise to build watertight cyber defenses for your organization and its valuable data.
Search, ‘BT’s got your back’ to discover how BT can help you bolster your business’ cyber readiness and keep your network up and running.
