What is Network Security?

Network Security protects your network and data from breaches, intrusions and other threats. This is a vast and overarching term that describes hardware and software solutions as well as processes or rules and configurations relating to network use, accessibility, and overall threat protection.

Network Security involves access control, virus and antivirus software, application security, network analytics, types of network-related security (endpoint, web, wireless), firewalls, VPN encryption and more.

2025 Gartner Report Network Security Demo

What is Network Security? Different Types of Solutions

The Importance of Network Security

Networks are the backbone of modern operations, connecting computers, servers, applications, and devices for seamless communication and collaboration. Every organization now relies on secure, reliable connectivity to operate effectively. These networks only increase in value as organizations increasingly run on distributed workforces accessing diverse cloud environments.

However, this connectivity also exposes you to cybercriminals looking to gain unauthorized access to your data and business resources for their own purposes. The importance of business networks is equaled by the importance of network security and ensuring only legitimate users have access to corporate digital resources.

Network security protects sensitive business data and intellectual property, keeping shared data safe from an evolving threat landscape while ensuring reliable access and performance. A strong network security architecture shields organizations from cyber threats to reduce operational risks and costly data breaches.

Types of Network Security Solutions

Firewall

Firewalls control incoming and outgoing traffic on networks, with predetermined security rules. Firewalls keep out unfriendly traffic and is a necessary part of daily computing. Network Security relies heavily on Firewalls, and especially Next Generation Firewalls, which focus on blocking malware and application-layer attacks.

Network Segmentation

Network segmentation defines boundaries between network segments where assets within the group have a common function, risk or role within an organization. For instance, the perimeter gateway segments a company network from the Internet. Potential threats outside the network are prevented, ensuring that an organization’s sensitive data remains inside. Organizations can go further by defining additional internal boundaries within their network, which can provide improved security and access control.

Access Control

Access control defines the people or groups and the devices that have access to network applications and systems thereby denying unsanctioned access, and maybe threats. Integrations with Identity and Access Management (IAM) products can strongly identify the user and Role-based Access Control (RBAC) policies ensure the person and device are authorized access to the asset.

Remote Access VPN

Remote access VPN provides remote and secure access to a company network to individual hosts or clients, such as telecommuters, mobile users, and extranet consumers. Each host typically has VPN client software loaded or uses a web-based client. Privacy and integrity of sensitive information is ensured through multi-factor authentication, endpoint compliance scanning, and encryption of all transmitted data.

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

The zero trust security model states that a user should only have the access and permissions that they require to fulfill their role. This is a very different approach from that provided by traditional security solutions, like VPNs, that grant a user full access to the target network. Zero trust network access (ZTNA) also known as software-defined perimeter (SDP) solutions permits granular access to an organization’s applications from users who require that access to perform their duties.

Email Security

Email security refers to any processes, products, and services designed to protect your email accounts and email content safe from external threats. Most email service providers have built-in email security features designed to keep you secure, but these may not be enough to stop cybercriminals from accessing your information.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Data loss prevention (DLP) is a cybersecurity methodology that combines technology and best practices to prevent the exposure of sensitive information outside of an organization, especially regulated data such as personally identifiable information (PII) and compliance related data: HIPAA, SOX, PCI DSS, etc.

Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)

IPS technologies can detect or prevent network security attacks such as brute force attacks, Denial of Service (DoS) attacks and exploits of known vulnerabilities. A vulnerability is a weakness for instance in a software system and an exploit is an attack that leverages that vulnerability to gain control of that system. When an exploit is announced, there is often a window of opportunity for attackers to exploit that vulnerability before the security patch is applied. An Intrusion Prevention System can be used in these cases to quickly block these attacks.

Sandboxing

Sandboxing is a cybersecurity practice where you run code or open files in a safe, isolated environment on a host machine that mimics end-user operating environments. Sandboxing observes the files or code as they are opened and looks for malicious behavior to prevent threats from getting on the network. For example malware in files such as PDF, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint can be safely detected and blocked before the files reach an unsuspecting end user.

Hyperscale Network Security

Hyperscale is the ability of an architecture to scale appropriately, as increased demand is added to the system. This solution includes rapid deployment and scaling up or down to meet changes in network security demands. By tightly integrating networking and compute resources in a software-defined system, it is possible to fully utilize all hardware resources available in a clustering solution.

Cloud Network Security

Applications and workloads are no longer exclusively hosted on-premises in a local data center. Protecting the modern data center requires greater flexibility and innovation to keep pace with the migration of application workloads to the cloud. Software-defined Networking (SDN) and Software-defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solutions enable network security solutions in private, public, hybrid and cloud-hosted Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) deployments.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

SASE is a comprehensive network security framework that combines networking and security in a single cloud-native solution. This approach delivers fast connectivity and protection everywhere on the network, from on-site users out to the network edge. This makes it perfect for modern operations that rely on distributed workforces and diverse cloud environments.

SASE integrates the connectivity of a Software Defined-Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) with a suite of network security technologies, including CASB, ZTNA, NGFW, and Secure Web Gateway (SWG). This helps streamline operations while ensuring consistent security controls regardless of location.

AI-Driven Security

AI technologies are updating traditional defenses across various network security processes. Examples include real-time anomaly detection, predictive analytics, and automated responses, which help organizations stay ahead of evolving network security threats.

Notably, AI and machine learning analysis monitor network traffic to develop models that represent “normal” operations. With an understanding of what to expect on your network, AI tools generate alerts for suspicious activity that strays beyond standard usage. With behavior-based threat detection, organizations can identify new and unexpected threats rather than waiting for the latest attack signatures from threat intelligence platforms.

Data Center Security

Data center security focuses on protecting both physical and virtual infrastructure that hosts critical applications and data. Modern approaches typically combine multiple network security technologies, including advanced monitoring, segmentation, and intrusion prevention. Effective data center security also ensures compliance, supports business continuity, and enables reliable performance of essential IT and business services.

Managed Network Security Services

Managed network security services provide 24/7 monitoring, incident response, and compliance support, reducing the need for in-house expertise. By outsourcing to experts, businesses gain access to enterprise-grade defenses, continuous monitoring, and specialized skills at a predictable cost. This can be especially beneficial for smaller IT teams looking to optimize resources while maintaining strong cyber resilience.

5G Network Security

As 5G adoption grows, new architectures demand enhanced encryption, device authentication, and network security compliance frameworks to prevent large-scale attacks. 5G networks enable the increased adoption of IoT and edge computing, handling high volumes of traffic in real-time. This requires new network security principles to ensure protections can scale at the network edge across a vast range of devices.

ICS and OT Security

Industrial control systems (ICSs) and operational technology (OT) environments control utilities, factories, and critical infrastructure. Specialized solutions secure these highly targeted networks against cyber threats. ICSs face unique threats that can cause downtime and significant financial damage to organizations. Therefore, they require the implementation of network security best practices and technologies to quickly identify potential intrusions and limit the impact of unauthorized access, such as least privilege access and network segmentation.

Benefits of Network Security

  • Protecting Sensitive Data: Safeguards valuable business data, such as personally identifiable information (PII), customer records, intellectual property, and financial data, from a range of cyber threats.
  • Ensuring Business Continuity: Minimizes downtime and system disruptions caused by network security attacks.
  • Meeting Compliance Requirements: Helps organizations align with the necessary regulations for their industry and location, reducing legal risk.
  • Maintaining Brand Reputation: Strong network security and compliance records help build customer trust.
  • Reducing Financial Risk: Mitigates the heavy costs of breaches, regulatory fines, and remediation after a successful attack.

Common Network Security Threats

The importance of network security is also highlighted by the ever-expanding threat landscape it must protect against. Common network security threats include:

  • Malware: Malicious software designed to infiltrate, disrupt, or damage networks, often spreading through vulnerabilities to steal data or compromise operations.
  • Ransomware: A type of malware that encrypts business data, demanding a ransom payment to return to normal operations.
  • Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks: Exploits network users rather than network infrastructure by tricking employees to expose your network to malicious content.
  • Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS): Overwhelming network infrastructure with traffic to prevent legitimate users from accessing your services.
  • Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: Intercepting data as it moves across networks to either exfiltrate or modify it.
  • Insider Threats: Malicious or accidental network exposures by employees with access to sensitive data and systems.
  • Zero-Day Vulnerabilities: New exploits in network systems that security teams have yet to patch out.
  • Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): Attacks that remain on your network to stealthily exfiltrate data over time or learn more about your operations to maximize the impact of the attack.

What Are the Main Network Security Challenges?

While there are many tools and strategies available, the development and implementation of a comprehensive network security framework has many challenges:

  • Rising Complexity of IT Environments: With enterprises expanding their cloud deployments, adopting remote work, and integrating new connected devices, networks are becoming more complex and exposed than ever before. Complex IT environments make it harder to maintain visibility and apply consistent network security principles.
  • Evolving Sophistication of Attackers: Advanced network security threats, such as AI-driven attacks, double extortion ransomware, and supply chain exploits, require equally advanced network security technologies for detection and defense.
  • Limited Security Resources: Many organizations lack the skilled workforce and finances to deploy comprehensive types of network security solutions, leaving gaps in protection.
  • Maintaining the User Experience: Overly rigid policies that significantly impact the user experience can hinder productivity and even drive staff to find unsafe workarounds. The future of network security must strike a balance between user experience and security to ensure high adoption rates.
  • Meeting Compliance Requirements: With frameworks such as GDPR, PCI DSS, and HIPAA, ensuring network security compliance can be a resource-intensive task. Additionally, organizations must understand the various regulations applicable across the geographic regions in which they operate.

Best Practices for Securing Networks

To overcome these challenges, organizations should adopt proven network security best practices that strengthen defenses and ensure resilience against both existing and emerging network security threats.

Key best practices include:

  • Implement Layered Defenses: Deploy multiple network security technologies so you’re not reliant on a single point solution. With layered defenses, you have more than one opportunity to identify and remediate attacks.
  • Deploy NGFWs and IDS/IPS systems: An example of layered protection is combining advanced firewalls with intrusion detection and prevention systems to create robust defenses against evolving types of network security threats.
  • Update Regularly: Applying patches to operating systems, applications, and hardware quickly minimizes the exposure window after a new vulnerability is discovered.
  • Train Employees: Since human error remains a leading cause of breaches, training ensures staff recognize social engineering tactics and follow network security best practices.
  • Monitor Continuously: Real-time visibility into traffic patterns enables early threat detection and faster incident response.
  • Utilize Strong Encryption Protocols: Ensure you utilize strong encryption standards for data in transit and at rest.
  • Adopt a Zero Trust Framework: By enforcing strict identity verification and least-privilege access, you can enable remote work access without significantly increasing your attack surface.

Secure Your Network With Check Point

Network Security is vital in protecting client data and information, it keeps shared data secure, protects from viruses and helps with network performance by reducing overhead expenses and costly losses from data breaches, and since there will be less downtime from malicious users or viruses, it can save businesses money in the long-term.

By combining strong policies, modern network security technologies, and layered defenses, organizations can protect sensitive data, maintain compliance, and build resilience against evolving cyber threats.

Check Point’s Network Security simplify your network security without impacting the performance, provide a unified approach for streamlined operations, and enable you to scale for business growth.

Schedule a demo to learn how Check Point protects customers with effective network security for on-premises, branches, and public and private cloud environments.

Network Security definition