Network Security : Protection Guaranteed

Today, computer networks are expanding and they are running a plethora of
applications that drive the businesses of enterprises. This has given rise to
new challenges of securing these networks. An effective network security
strategy requires identifying threats and then choosing the most effective set
of tools to combat them.

For enterprises, security threats pour in from all directions. These could be
in the form of unauthorized access, malicious misuse, virtual insiders (by
planting a Trojan inside the infrastructure to obtain information), viruses,
data leakage, online fraud, phishing, and access attacks. Though security
threats remain almost the same year on year, they simply assume new avatars
every time they appear.

Threat # 1

Malware always have been the top most challenge that the industry has been
facing. The payloads of many of these have been to disrupt availability, thieve
data, and so on. Yet another issue that has seen a rise in the recent past is
unauthorized access to data from both internal as well as external users. There
have been attempts to steal critical information like intellectual property and
credit card information among others. Most customers look at network security as
an end-point solution but a smart hacker will carry out a series of end-point
attacks, one at a time, thus achieving a well spread-out attack without getting
caught. One way to address all possible security threats on a network is through
a SIEM solution like RSA enVision, which gives a single view of the whole
organization. Verticals such as government, education, BFSI, and telecom are now
being regarded by vendors as the biggest spenders on network security.

A Growing Industry

Anti-virus packages, securing network infrastructure, virtual private
networks, identity services, and encryption, all fall under the tag of network
security. As every organization is susceptible to different kinds of threats,
each network security needs to be customized. However, a holistic network
security solution can be achieved through a comprehensive set of identity and
access management solutions. Intrusion prevention systems (IPS) is an
application which detects and blocks attacks and threats aimed at data and
network resources. IPS blade servers quickly inspects for attacks only on
relevant sections of the traffic, thus reducing overheads and increasing
accuracy.

In recent times, factors like server consolidation, high energy bills, faster
hardware, ease-of-use, and step back and quick snapshot technology are making
the idea of virtual computing extremely popular in the Indian market.
Virtualization of security, too, is making a foray here with vendors looking at
it with renewed interest and as a possible profit churning segment. While it is
expected to be the #1 growth area for rest of the year, it will probably take
couple of years more to mature in India. Once enterprise data centers start
deploying critical applications on the virtualized environment, security becomes
a real business concern and that is when India will see a real growth in the
virtualization security space.

A survey by Infonetics Research revealed that the worldwide network security
market has seen an 8% rise in 2008, garnering business worth $5.5 bn. Despite
the slowdown in the IT industry, the network security segment has continued to
grow, albeit a little less exponentially. This can be attributed to various
security threats that are lurking in every corner. Nonetheless, malware and
security threats will not slowdown even if the industry does. And business
continuity has been the the key to the success of the network security industry.

Madhura Khasnobis/DQ Channels

maildqindia@cybermedia.co.in