What Is Network Security?
Network security threats are potential dangers to the integrity, confidentiality, or availability of a network and its data. These threats can manifest as unauthorized access attempts, data breaches, service disruptions, and infrastructure compromises. Common examples include malware, phishing attacks, ransomware, and denial-of-service attacks.
Types of network security threats include:
- Malware: Malicious software like viruses, worms, and ransomware that can disrupt systems, steal data, or damage infrastructure.
- Ransomware: Encrypts data and demands a ransom for its release.
- Phishing: Deceptive attempts to steal sensitive information, often through emails or websites.
- Denial of Service (DoS) attacks: Overloads a network or system, making it unavailable to legitimate users.
- Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks: Intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties.
- Insider threats: Compromises from within the organization, either maliciously or negligently.
- Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): Sophisticated, long-term attacks where attackers gain access and remain undetected for extended periods.
- SQL injection attacks: Exploits vulnerabilities in databases to gain unauthorized access or corrupt data.
- Zero-day exploits: Attacks that target vulnerabilities before they are patched.
- Domain Name System (DNS) attacks: Manipulates DNS to route internet users to malicious websites.
- AI-powered cyberattacks: Sophisticated attacks enabled by AI systems, which may be harder to counter.
Network security technologies, policies, and practices help protect a computer network and its data from unauthorized access, misuse, malfunction, or destruction. It establishes barriers to block or detect attacks and unauthorized usage, using elements such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus software, and strong authentication mechanisms.
Beyond technical safeguards, network security also involves defining appropriate user behavior, updating resources, and enforcing compliance with regulatory frameworks. This includes monitoring activity on the network, responding to suspicious behavior, and performing audits.
Why Does Network Security Matter Today?
Network security has become a foundational business requirement due to the increasing complexity of modern IT environments and the growing scale of cyber threats. It directly impacts regulatory compliance, financial health, and operational resilience.
The rapid expansion of the digital attack surface is a major driver. Cloud adoption, remote work, and widespread use of mobile and IoT devices have blurred traditional network boundaries. Most organizations now operate in hybrid environments that span on-premises systems, multiple cloud providers, and edge infrastructure. This complexity creates more potential entry points for attackers.
Strict data protection regulations such as GDPR and CCPA add further pressure. Organizations must implement strong network security to meet legal obligations, avoid fines, and comply with mandatory breach disclosure rules. Regulatory non-compliance can result in both financial penalties and reputational damage.
The financial motivation behind cybercrime is also a critical factor. Ransomware alone is projected to cost victims $57 billion this year and is expected to rise to $275 billion by 2031. The high return on investment for attackers drives continuous innovation in threat tactics.
Modern businesses depend heavily on digital infrastructure, and even short periods of network downtime can result in major financial losses. For mid-sized enterprises, each minute of downtime can cost thousands of dollars. Reliable network security is essential to ensure continuity of operations and minimize business risk.
10 Key Network Security Threats
1. Malware and Ransomware
Malware refers to malicious software to infiltrate, damage, or steal data from a target system, often without user consent. Ransomware is a specific type of malware that encrypts the victim’s files, demanding payment for decryption keys. Attackers usually deliver these threats through email attachments, compromised websites, or software vulnerabilities, leveraging social engineering or technical exploits to bypass defenses.
The consequences of malware and ransomware attacks can be severe. In addition to potential data loss and theft, ransomware can bring business operations to a halt, leading to widespread downtime and costly recoveries. Many organizations have paid ransom with no guarantee of data restoration. Preventing malware and ransomware requires effective endpoint protection, regular backups, user training to avoid suspicious downloads, and patch management.
2. Phishing and Social Engineering
Phishing attacks use fraudulent communication (emails, texts, or fake websites) to deceive victims into revealing sensitive information such as login credentials or financial details. These campaigns mimic trusted sources, enticing users to click malicious links or download infected attachments. Phishing remains highly effective because it exploits human trust and curiosity rather than relying solely on technical vulnerabilities.
Social engineering takes this further, using psychological manipulation through pretexting, baiting, or impersonation to coax targets into taking harmful actions. Attackers may pose as company executives or IT support to solicit confidential information or gain unauthorized entry. The best defenses against phishing and social engineering are staff awareness and vigilance, combined with email security gateways and multifactor authentication.
3. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks
Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks aim to make a system or network resource unavailable to its intended users by overwhelming it with excessive traffic or exploiting application-level vulnerabilities. In a basic DoS attack, a single system floods a target with requests until it can no longer respond to legitimate traffic. More commonly, attackers use distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, using large networks of compromised devices (botnets) to amplify the impact.
These attacks can cause significant disruptions to online services, particularly in sectors like finance, healthcare, and e-commerce where uptime is critical. Mitigation requires a combination of strategies: deploying web application firewalls, using content delivery networks (CDNs) to absorb traffic surges, and implementing rate-limiting and anomaly detection to identify and filter attack patterns early.
4. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks occur when a malicious actor intercepts and possibly alters communication between two parties, often without their knowledge. These attacks can take place over unsecured networks (like public Wi-Fi), through compromised routers, or via session hijacking techniques. The attacker can eavesdrop on sensitive conversations, steal credentials, or inject malicious code or data into the communication.
MITM attacks are especially dangerous in scenarios involving financial transactions or confidential data exchange. Attackers may also harvest credentials to access other systems within the organization. Mitigation strategies include enforcing the use of secure, encrypted communication protocols (such as TLS/SSL), implementing network segmentation, and training users to verify the legitimacy of network connections before transmitting sensitive information.
5. SQL Injection and Application Exploits
SQL injection attacks target vulnerabilities in web applications by inserting malicious SQL statements into input fields or URLs, manipulating the backend database. If input validation and proper parameterization are absent, attackers can exfiltrate sensitive data, alter records, or even gain administrative access. Application exploits extend beyond SQL, taking advantage of poor coding practices, unpatched software, or misconfigurations to compromise user data.
These exploits are especially dangerous, as they often bypass perimeter defenses and directly target an organization’s digital assets. Regular security assessments, code reviews, and automated vulnerability scanning are critical to identify and remediate flaws before attackers exploit them. Developers must follow secure software development practices, use prepared statements, and sanitize all external inputs.
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Tips from the Expert
In my experience, here are tips that can help you better defend against evolving network security threats:
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Build a “deception layer” into your network defense: Deploy honeypots, fake credentials, or decoy servers to attract and detect threat actors early. This proactive defense buys time and provides valuable intelligence on attacker tactics.
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Tag and prioritize high-value assets with risk-based access controls: Not all assets are equal. Classify and tag critical systems (e.g., financial data, IP) and apply stricter controls like continuous authentication and session recording only to those. It’s surgical risk reduction.
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Create a “kill chain visibility matrix” across your tooling: Map your current tools to MITRE ATT&CK stages to expose blind spots. Ensure you have detection coverage across initial access, persistence, lateral movement, and exfiltration—not just perimeter breaches.
- Throttle unused network ports aggressively at the switch level: Disable or restrict all unused ports via NAC policies or switch-level configuration. These dormant interfaces are often overlooked but can become prime targets for rogue device access or lateral movement.
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Log all DNS queries and correlate them with threat intel feeds: DNS traffic is an early indicator of command-and-control activity or data exfiltration. Centralizing and enriching these.
6. Insider Threats and Privilege Misuse
Insider threats stem from people within the organization (employees, contractors, or business partners) who misuse their access to steal, leak, or damage data. Threats could be intentional (malicious insiders) or accidental (careless staff following risky practices). Because insiders often have legitimate credentials, their actions can be difficult to distinguish from normal activity and may bypass many detection tools.
Privilege misuse occurs when users access resources beyond their explicit needs or intentionally abuse privileged accounts for personal gain. Whether driven by discontent, coercion, or simple error, these threats require strict access controls, prompt revocation of unused credentials, and strong monitoring of privileged activity.
7. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)
Advanced persistent threats (APTs) refer to prolonged, coordinated attacks by highly skilled adversaries, often with significant resources or state sponsorship. Attackers infiltrate a target network and maintain undetected access for months or longer to steal data, disrupt operations, or conduct espionage. APTs use a mix of custom malware, social engineering, exploited vulnerabilities, and lateral movement to evade discovery.
Detection and response are especially challenging with APTs, as attackers adapt to defensive measures and remain stealthy. Defending against APTs requires layered security controls, continuous monitoring, advanced behavioral analytics, and strong endpoint detection and response tools.
8. Zero-Day Exploits
Zero-day exploits target previously unknown vulnerabilities in software, firmware, or hardware. Because vendors have not yet released patches, attackers can use these exploits to gain unauthorized access, disrupt services, or exfiltrate sensitive data before countermeasures are available. Zero-day attacks are prized by cybercriminals and nation-state actors because they often slip past traditional security defenses.
Organizations can limit the impact of zero-day exploits by adopting a defense-in-depth stance: deploying intrusion prevention systems, monitoring unusual behaviors, and segmenting critical assets to contain breaches. Prompt patch application once fixes are available, threat intelligence integration, and active participation in coordinated vulnerability disclosure programs further reduce risk from zero-day attacks.
9. DNS and Drive-By Attacks
DNS (Domain Name System) attacks manipulate how users are routed on the internet, redirecting them to malicious websites or intercepting legitimate requests. DNS poisoning, hijacking, or tunneling can be leveraged to steal credentials, plant malware, or disrupt business services. Because DNS is fundamental to network operations, these attacks can be hard to detect and very disruptive.
Drive-by attacks exploit vulnerabilities in browsers and web plugins. Users can become infected simply by visiting a compromised website, no download or interaction required. Attackers often deliver payloads through malvertising or by injecting code into high-traffic sites. Protection requires use of DNS security extensions, endpoint protection, prompt browser patching, and strong content filtering to reduce risk exposure from malicious websites.
10. AI-Powered Cyberattacks
Attackers increasingly leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to automate reconnaissance, craft more effective phishing campaigns, and dynamically adapt malware to evade detection. AI-powered attacks can bypass traditional security controls by rapidly changing tactics based on an organization’s defense posture. Malicious actors may also use AI to identify high-value targets, discover vulnerabilities, or automate attacks at scale.
The growing sophistication of AI-enabled cyberattacks requires defenders to adopt advanced detection capabilities as well. Security teams are responding with AI-driven tools for threat detection, behavioral analytics, and automated response, but the escalating arms race means defenses must evolve rapidly.
Best Practices for Defending Against Network Security Threats
Here are some of the ways that organizations can strengthen their defenses against various network security threats.
1. Enforce Strong Access Controls and MFA
Strict access controls ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive networks and systems. This includes the implementation of role-based access controls (RBAC) and the principle of least privilege, providing users with the minimum level of access necessary to perform their duties. Regular reviews and audits help identify and promptly revoke expired or unnecessary access rights, reducing the attack surface and potential for privilege misuse.
Multifactor authentication (MFA) adds a crucial security layer by requiring users to present two or more verification methods, such as passwords, biometrics, or one-time codes, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized account access, even if passwords are compromised. Deploying MFA for all remote access and privileged accounts is a strong defense against credential-based attacks like phishing and brute force attempts.
2. Segment Networks and Apply Least Privilege
Network segmentation involves dividing a network into discrete zones or segments, separating critical assets from less sensitive areas. This limits the lateral movement of attackers within the environment, containing breaches and reducing the spread of malware or other threats. Implementing virtual LANs (VLANs) and access control lists (ACLs) helps enforce segmentation and isolate key resources.
Applying the principle of least privilege ensures that users and applications have only the permissions needed to perform specific tasks. Excessive privileges significantly increase the risk of accidental or intentional misuse of sensitive data or systems. Regular reviews of access permissions, combined with multi-layered segmentation strategies, create robust barriers against both external and insider threats.
3. Patch Management and Vulnerability Remediation
Timely patch management closes known security gaps before attackers can exploit them. This involves regularly updating operating systems, applications, firmware, and network devices based on vendor advisories and threat intelligence feeds. Automated patch deployment tools can simplify the process and reduce the risk of oversight, but manual validation remains important for critical assets.
Vulnerability remediation is a broader practice that goes beyond patching. It includes identifying, prioritizing, and resolving exposures in software and configurations, often tracked through vulnerability scanning and penetration testing. A well-defined remediation workflow, accompanied by clear escalation policies, helps organizations address issues promptly, reducing exposure windows and minimizing attack likelihood.
4. Encryption for Data in Transit and at Rest
Encryption protects data from unauthorized access both when it is transmitted across networks and when stored on disk. For data in transit, protocols such as TLS (Transport Layer Security) ensure that communications between devices and endpoints are confidential and resistant to interception or tampering. Encryption at rest secures files, databases, and backups, making data unreadable to anyone lacking the correct decryption keys.
Effective encryption strategies depend on robust key management practices, including secure key storage, regular key rotation, and user access auditing. Organizations should enforce encryption policies for sensitive data types across all endpoints, servers, mobile devices, and cloud environments. Regular reviews ensure encryption technologies remain current with evolving threats and compliance standards.
5. Security Awareness and Training Programs
Human error is a leading cause of security incidents, making user education and security awareness programs essential. Regular training empowers staff to recognize, avoid, and report suspicious activity like phishing emails, social engineering attempts, and risky online behaviors. Training should use real-world scenarios to reinforce best practices, test awareness levels, and close knowledge gaps.
A culture of security awareness keeps everyone alert and accountable. Training programs must be ongoing, not one-off events, to keep up with the constantly changing threat landscape. By equipping users with knowledge and practical skills, organizations reduce the chance that human mistakes will open the door to attackers or escalate routine incidents into major breaches.
6. Continuous Monitoring and Threat Detection
Continuous monitoring enables early detection of attacks, policy violations, or anomalous activity across the network. This involves collecting and analyzing logs, network traffic, and endpoint telemetry in real time using security information and event management (SIEM) tools or modern XDR (extended detection and response) platforms. Automated correlation and alerting help security teams respond rapidly to emerging threats and policy breaches.
Threat detection extends beyond traditional signature-based methods, employing behavioral analytics and machine learning to flag unknown attack patterns and insider threats. Proactive threat hunting, where analysts seek out hidden threats rather than waiting for alerts, adds another layer of defense.
7. Incident Response and Recovery Planning
Effective incident response minimizes the impact of security incidents and supports swift recovery. This starts with a well-documented plan detailing specific roles, communication protocols, decision-making authority, and escalation procedures. The plan should outline steps for detecting, containing, eradicating, and recovering from a breach or attack, with regular testing through tabletop exercises or simulated incidents.
Recovery planning is equally important, enabling organizations to quickly restore operations and data from backups and alternative resources. Plans should specify prioritized recovery objectives, ensure regular backup testing, and provide communication guidelines for stakeholders, regulators, and affected parties.
8. Leveraging Automation and AI in Threat Defense
Automation simplifies repetitive, time-consuming security tasks such as log analysis, vulnerability scanning, patch deployment, and incident response actions. By reducing manual workloads, security teams can focus on more complex analytical and investigative duties. Playbooks and orchestration tools allow for standardized, auditable responses that scale across large environments.
Integrating AI enhances threat detection, response, and prediction capabilities by analyzing massive data sets for subtle indicators of attack, identifying previously unknown threats, and automating aspects of forensics. However, automated tools must be carefully configured and regularly validated to avoid false positives and unintended consequences.
Related content: Read our guide to network security solutions
Mitigating Network Security Threads with Faddom Application Dependency Mapping
As hybrid and multicloud environments grow, maintaining complete visibility across every server, application, and traffic flow is crucial for preventing security breaches. Faddom automatically maps your entire IT environment in real-time, enabling you to identify hidden risks such as shadow IT, unauthorized connections, and unprotected east-west traffic.
With its continuous discovery and accurate dependency mapping, Faddom equips IT, Cloud, and Security teams with the context necessary to detect threats early, plan effective segmentation, and bolster defenses against lateral movement. Our newest feature, Lighthouse AI, takes visibility to the next level, using intelligent anomaly detection to uncover hidden risks and unexpected traffic patterns in real-time. By learning what “normal” looks like across your network, Lighthouse AI can spotlight unusual behavior the moment it appears, helping teams stop potential incidents before they even begin.
If you’re looking for a straightforward and proactive approach to enhance network visibility and protect your infrastructure, book a demo with our experts.
