While computers originated in the early 1990s from telephone switches (Vahid, ch 1.1), the first hackers can be traced back to France in 1834, where two thieves hacked the French Telegraph System to steal financial market information. (Monroe College, para 6). The first computers were built in the 1940s, occupying entire rooms containing thousands of switches.
From the 1962 MIT Student Allan Scherr, who managed to steal other students' passwords from a computer by triggering it to print via a punch card he designed, to the 1969 RABBITS Virus, which rapidly replicated itself, overwhelming the computer it was installed on and ultimately causing it to shut down (Monroe College para 8), hackers were quick to start identifying vulnerabilities in computer systems and exploiting them. As computer systems developed throughout history, so did Cyber Crime.
With the birth of the internet and the quickly developing reliance on the web to exchange information, hackers began to exploit vulnerabilities in data transition, leading to the absolute necessity for Network Security.
Vulnerabilities can exist in both software and the computer component hardware. While a hardware attack isn’t as easy as a software attack, it is still an opportunity for a hacker to gain access to a network if not protected. Protection can include Firewalls, Proxy servers, and monitoring network traffic from a device (Yasar, para 1). One way to protect computers is to introduce more computers into the environment. By creating a Multi-Server Environment, you introduce Separation of Duties SoD, and separate your environment across multiple servers to isolate any attacks to only the infected servers (PhoenixNAP, 20. Create Multi-Server Environments).
Programming and knowing coding languages are essential skills for Network and Cyber security. It is important to learn how to code the languages to defend against attacks using them. Java is an excellent language to learn for network security as it can be used to securely and safely transmit data over networks by generating cryptographically secure keys (Sharma, 1. Java). Python is another invaluable coding language to learn for Network security, as it can be used to write scripts for network monitoring programs (Sharma, 2. Python). Using execution methods, these programs can be set to run automatically on a timed basis.
Cyber Security software solutions is a booming industry today, with many providing robust network security options. Software applications play a prominent role in Network security, and many companies have begun offering application suites featuring different software applications, each providing invaluable Network Security.
Software can be used to define who has access to what information on a network through Identity and Access Management (IAM). Remote Access VPN software can be used to securely connect remote computers to a company's network, which has become even more necessary with the growth of remote workers. With fewer companies using on-prim servers and moving to cloud solutions, Cloud Network Security software has also become extremely important for the company using the service and the company providing the service. (Checkpoint, Benefits of Network Security). While these are a few examples of ways to offer Network protection through applications, many more scenarios and areas still require security measures provided by security software. There are also software solutions for home PCs that offer out-of-the-box protection solutions for even those not technology-inclined.
One of the most significant assets requiring protection for a company is their information and the Databases they reside on. With databases being a large target for hackers and bad actors to gain access to steal data or hold ransom, Network security becomes vital for protection. One example of an attack that Network security solutions can help withstand is a Denial-of-Service DoS/DDoS attack. By multiple sending large packet ping requests from a Botnet, hackers can overwhelm a server and crash it, denying access to the information on it to users. A vastly scaled, defensive network architecture can mitigate such attacks (Imperva, Denial of Service).
Having a highly developed, meticulously managed, and protected network environment is Network Security. Scaling your architecture and utilizing security software tools enables your company to be defensive instead of reactive in the face of network security risks.
References
Checkpoint. (n.d.). What is Network Security? CheckPoint. https://www.checkpoint.com/cyber-hub/network-security/what-is-network-security/
Imperva. (n.d.). Database Security. Imperva. https://www.imperva.com/learn/data-security/database-security/
Monroe College. (n.d.). CYBERSECURITY HISTORY: HACKING & DATA BREACHES. Moneroe College. https://www.monroecollege.edu/news/cybersecurity-history-hacking-data-breaches#:~:text=Cybersecurity%20history%20is%20interesting%20indeed,would%20become%20%E2%80%9Cthe%20internet.%E2%80%9D
Sharma, A. (2023, August 08). 6 Best Cyber Security Programming Languages To Learn in 2023. Hackr.io. https://hackr.io/blog/best-cyber-security-programming-languages
PhoenixNAP. (2023, January 11). 21 Server Security Tips to Secure Your Serve. PhoenixNAP. https://phoenixnap.com/kb/server-security-tips
Vahid, F., Lysecky, S., Wheatland, N. (2019). TEC 101: Fundamentals of Information Technology & Literacy. Zyante Inc.
Yasar, K. (2022, June). Hardware Security. TechTarget. https://www.techtarget.com/searchitoperations/definition/hardware-security
Imperva. (n.d.). Database Security. Imperva. https://www.imperva.com/learn/data-security/database-security/
Monroe College. (n.d.). CYBERSECURITY HISTORY: HACKING & DATA BREACHES. Moneroe College. https://www.monroecollege.edu/news/cybersecurity-history-hacking-data-breaches#:~:text=Cybersecurity%20history%20is%20interesting%20indeed,would%20become%20%E2%80%9Cthe%20internet.%E2%80%9D
Sharma, A. (2023, August 08). 6 Best Cyber Security Programming Languages To Learn in 2023. Hackr.io. https://hackr.io/blog/best-cyber-security-programming-languages
PhoenixNAP. (2023, January 11). 21 Server Security Tips to Secure Your Serve. PhoenixNAP. https://phoenixnap.com/kb/server-security-tips
Vahid, F., Lysecky, S., Wheatland, N. (2019). TEC 101: Fundamentals of Information Technology & Literacy. Zyante Inc.
Yasar, K. (2022, June). Hardware Security. TechTarget. https://www.techtarget.com/searchitoperations/definition/hardware-security
