Network Security Connection

 Introduction

`           Throughout the past five weeks, data has been drawn from the fundamentals of information technology and applied to determine how network security has been influenced and adapted in order to properly secure a computer. This essay will work to discuss the components of a computer, whether hardware or software, that network security relies on in order to be effective and will piece together the relations of this topic to databases and their management. Similarly, this essay will provide a general overview of how network security is used for the protection of computers, the programming languages that assist with these methods, and the basic components that have influenced this topic to be what it is today.

Discuss how your selected tech topic connects to the fundamentals of information technology covered in this course.

            Network security connects to the fundamentals of information technology in numerous ways as hardware, software, programming, security, and operating systems can all work within network security to ensure the most effective methods are being used, tools are working properly, and the hardware is capable of storing and handling the data being secured. With that being said, network security is crucial to all of these fundamentals as security breaches, hacks, malware, and viruses can affect the computers we use today. Making sure that your computer is safe from being attacked is necessary to reduce risks of personal information, banking data, personal photos, etc. are not at risk of being leaked or distributed without your consent or permission. Of the fundamentals listed above, there are several ways for each component to be disrupted by some form of violation and ensuring that one has proper and efficient knowledge of network security can reduce those risks significantly.

Explain how your chosen tech topic relates to the concepts of information technology and computer science, including the history of computers and the means by which computers operate.

Network security can relate to the concepts of information technology and computer science, with acknowledgments towards the history of computers in a vast but deeply intertwined way. For instance, the concept of information technology refers to a broad range of disciplines, often including database management, network security, operating systems, and much more. The concept of information technology directly correlates to the principles within network security as securing data transmission and managing authorized access to data is crucial for most of the concepts previously mentioned. Network security measures can help to ensure that all concepts within information technology can remain secure and properly accessed to reduce the risks of attackers or hackers getting into a computer or its databases.

Similarly, computer science also is directly related to network security as data structures and algorithm designs can help to analyze current network traffic and can detect security threats as they are happening (Zhang et al., 2023). Therefore, some aspects of computer science can be used to securely protect networks and can provide effective additional security measures from attacks. Lastly, network security relates to the history of computers and the means by which they operate today by allowing for time to acknowledge and comprehend the vulnerabilities and threats that were often found in older generations of hardware or software. Knowing the risks that older computers were exposed to can help to better adapt network security to more effective and fast responding methods.

Evaluate how your chosen tech topic relies on the major hardware components and functions of a modern computer system.

Poorly configured hardware and devices can lead to potential vulnerabilities that could give hackers an opportunity to gain access to the network. Some examples of poorly setup hardware are not setting up directory permissions correctly, server software is not up to date causing security patches to not be made, admin debugging functions aren’t properly setup, and improperly setting up encryption settings (5 Factors That Affect the Security of a Network, 2023). These are only a few of poorly maintained and managed hardware configurations, but each vulnerability can be damaging if left unaddressed. In a recent study conducted in 2021, twenty-three percent of devices with sensitive data were found to have poor encryption and protection controls (5 Factors That Affect the Security of a Network, 2023). That percentage could be significantly decreased if the setup was done correctly and was monitored following the setup.

With that being said, it is clear that network security relies on proper hardware devices to ensure security measures are in place and are working effectively in order to reduce the possibility of unauthorized access reaching the network. However, in a similar manner, network security also relies heavily on the components and functions of modern computer systems as firewalls, routers, modems, and switches are all hardware components that can help to ensure the upmost network security for a residence computer or organization. Firewalls and routers, specifically as routers work by connecting two or more networks, which could lead to security risks or breaches if the proper network security measures are not up to date, managed properly, or are poorly set up.

Explain how your chosen tech topic uses programming languages and program execution methods.

            Network security uses various forms of programming languages such as Python, C++, and Java in order to develop security tools and functions that can help to create firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus software, and vulnerability identifiers. These program languages have helped to develop various tools that can assist with preventing security threats to networks. However, these detection and prevention tools are not the only way that programming languages can be useful for network security as browsing on secure websites to reduce the risk of viruses or malware is also a way that programming languages can help to ensure that a computer stays safe and protected. Additionally, the use of cryptography and encryptions are typically implemented using languages like C++ and Python to ensure the confidentiality and authenticity of data (Cheguri, 2023). Overall, most network security measures can be utilized, run, and adjusted using programming languages and help to ensure the most effective protection on computers.

Analyze the role that application software plays with regard to your chosen tech topic.

Application software and network security can heavily rely on one another as application software often helps to protect networks and can provide an additional layer of protection. Since network security consists of a wide range of security measures, one of which includes application security, the two are inseparable and should be considered as one when protecting a computer (Nangare, 2023). In order to best protect one’s network, each access point should be protected as well, as all applications running within a network can become an entry point for hackers. Setting up Firewalls can help to define the activities that are allowed or prohibited within the network so that entry-level attacks can be recognized before an attack actually happens. With software firewalls, it is important to note that these firewalls can conflict with each other and should typically only be used one at a time (Vahid & Lysecky, 2019). Antivirus software should be used in conjunction in order for more effective defenses to be set in place against attacks.

Describe how your chosen tech topic relates to the basic concepts of database and database management.

Network security can be related to the basic concepts of database and database management since they are network accessible. Therefore, security threats and attacks that are made to a network can easily become a threat to the database of a computer (Database Security: An Essential Guide, n.d.). Ensuring that network access controls are properly set up can help to reduce attacks made towards a database along with proper encryption settings so that all data, including data within the database is protected while at rest or in transit.

Illustrate how the basic concepts of network architecture, management, and security influence your chosen tech topic.

            Network architecture, management, and security have helped to influence network security as a whole, though each concept has individually provided its own independent influence. For instance, network architecture has helped to influence network security through segmentation and redundancy. The segmentation influence has helped to limit the scope of attacks and data compromises within network security as segmented networks can separate data from less secure areas and deny hackers access to that new area. Similarly, redundant networks can help to enhance resiliency in networks that are experiencing constant network disruptions such as denial-of-service attacks (DoS). Network architecture has provided several security measures that can be useful when attempting to negate or dismiss attacks.

            When it comes to network management, network security has been greatly influenced in terms of monitoring and configuring methods. Monitoring influences on network security can include logging network traffic and potential security threats through the use of algorithms and data structures (Zhang et al., 2023). Network management also refers to the configuration of hardware and software so that potential threats can be reduced. Ensuring that each component is set up correctly is an extremely influential concept of network security.

Conclusion

            In conclusion, the technology topic of network security is not only connected to the various information technology concepts, but it is also connected to the hardware of a computer, the programming languages that run it, and the application software that helps to double ensure protection. Network security is extremely important when it comes to reducing the risks of hackers or attackers gaining unauthorized access to a computer’s network which can lead to damaging outcomes without the proper software to recognize attacks before they happen and to separate confidential data when an area becomes compromised. This essay established the importance of network security while also defining the key ways that users can stay as secure as possible when it comes to their independent network or their organizations.

 

 

 

 

 

References

5 Factors That Affect the Security of a Network. (2023, September 28). DOT Security. https://dotsecurity.com/insights/blog-factors-that-affect-security-of-network

Cheguri, P. (2023, January 6). Top 10 Programming Languages for Cryptography in 2023. Analytics Insight. https://www.analyticsinsight.net/top-10-programming-languages-for-cryptography-in-2023/

Database Security: An Essential Guide. (n.d.). IBM. https://www.ibm.com/topics/database-security#:~:text=Because%20databases%20are%20network%2Daccessible,workstation%20can%20threaten%20the%20database.

Nangare, S. (2023, March 6). Why Application Security is Critical to Network Security. Network Computing. https://www.networkcomputing.com/network-security/why-application-security-critical-network-security

Vahid, F., & Lysecky, S. (2019). Computing technology for all. zyBooks.

Zhang, J., Feng, H., Liu, B., & Zhao, D. (2023). Survey of Technology in Network Security Situation Awareness. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 23(5), 2608. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23052608