Tech Topic: Network Security

          When discussing the connection between network security and the fundamentals of information technology, one could argue that there is a strong correlation between them. Throughout the course, some of the fundamentals covered were computers and their history, hardware and software, programming languages, application software, database management, and network architecture and management. Network security plays a vital role in all of these topics. Computers have been around for many years, and so has the standard network. Network security has played an important role just about as long as computers have been around. According to Bhavya Daya, network security has been around since the thirties when Alan Turing broke the code for the enigma machine during the war (Daya, B. 2013, pg. 4, para 6). 

           Network security is also essential when considering computer hardware and software. Malicious attacks on networks can severely affect a computer and all of the components, such as destroying a hard drive or damaging programs. Network security is also essential when discussing database management as many organizations will use database applications for important records that individuals can access over networks which if not properly secured, can be subject to breaches and attacks.

As mentioned before the need for network security has been around as long as computers. Although computers have not been around for thousands of years, the need to secure networks such as lines of communication has always been critical. As computers have evolved, so have networks. Over the years, networks have made it possible for some outstanding advancements. Many remember the days where the only way to send and receive information was through the mail. Nowadays, an advanced network allows individuals instantaneous communication options such as email, text messaging, video chat, among many others. All of these tasks are possible because of networks and these networks having the proper security. An employee for a company here in the U.S. can video chat with a colleague in another country all because of networks

           Some of the major hardware components of a computer system include the computer CPU, memory, and hard drives. A computer cannot function properly without these components. While these components are crucial for a computer to operate, so is the need for network security to protect these components. As we know, malicious attacks occur through a network such as electronic mail distribution. Once a system is infected, these crucial components in the computer itself can be compromised, causing complete failure. An attack might be sent over a network to illegally obtain personal information stored on a company’s hard drives or effect a personal computer by damaging the processor.

           When discussing program languages, network security can be directly related. According to William Ruddy, knowledge of programming languages is essential for a successful career in network security (Ruddy W. 2019). Many attackers will use programming languages to implement attacks. An attacker might create a malicious set of code that transmits over a network, and if the said network is adequately secured, the network can contain the virus before it can infect other computers. Programming languages are an essential aspect of computing. In order to successfully protect networks from malicious attacks, we need to have a strong understanding of how these languages can also be used to carry out attacks.

           Application software such as Microsoft Word and Excel are great programs and are can be instrumental in our personal and professional lives. Also, nowadays, with the implementation of cloud services, the potential for attack increases severely. Microsoft utilizes cloud technology to save users documents to a program called One Drive. Users can save a word document on their computers and continue the work on their devices. Proper network security is crucial for these applications, as many users may have work stored on Microsoft servers. According to one online article, WAF, or web application firewalls, can be used to scan network traffic and analyze data between the client and server to identify possible attacks (Clincy, V., Shahriar H, 2018).

           When discussing database management, network security will also be an essential factor to consider. Databases are a widely used way of storing and accessing data. A hospital might use a database to keep patient records. This database might need to be accessed by many different individuals in numerous different hospitals. The only way to make that possible is through a computer network. Another example might be a branch of the military using a database to store plans for upcoming missions. This information might be considered top secret, and having a secure network is critical.

           Given these points, we can conclude that network security is essential to everyday life when using computers and networks. Network architecture is influenced by network security as individuals who might be creating a network will also need to know how they plan to protect it. A family might want to set up a Wi-Fi network in their home and will need to create a password to keep their network secure. Once this family has the network set up, they will be required to manage the network. Managing the network might include setting up notifications to advise when an unknown device is attempting to access their network. This family may also have anti-virus software installed on the computers, which can prevent the spread to other devices on their network. As long as there are computers and networks, there will always be a need for network security, and as technology advances, so will the tools used to secure networks.

References

Clincy, V., Shahriar H., (2018). Web Application Firewall: Network Security Models and Configuration. 2018 IEEE 42nd Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference 2018 IEEE 42nd Annual. 01:835-836

Daya, B. (2013). Network Security: History, Importance, and Future. University of Florida Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Retrieved from www.alphawireless.co.za

Ruddy, R. (2019). Do You Need Programming Skills for a Cyber Security Career? TechRoots: Sourcing Your Tech Perspective. Retrieved from https://phoenixts.com