As the world becomes increasingly dependent on the internet to do everything, we are part of growing computer networks. Data security has become one of the biggest dilemmas we need to face today. One of the ways that your data may remain vulnerable, is if your network is insecure. Let’s look at a few reasons why it is so important to have a secure network. 

Why is network security important?

When you’re working over a network, all of the data that passes through it relies on the network itself to be secure enough to not let anyone but the intended recipient access that data. Whether you are working over a wired LAN network or WiFi, both are susceptible to being attacked. 

If you’re working over a network that isn’t secure. The hacker can potentially hack the entire network and that will give them access to everything anyone sends or receives over that network. Forget privacy, everything will go through the hacker and they can even alter the data going through the network.

If you have a secure network, not only will it filter out spyware, but it also adds layers of protection against any potential cyber attacks. It does so by breaking down all of the data that’s travelling in and out of the network into several small packets. It then encrypts each packet separately and then sends it out through multiple channels. This way, even if someone tries to get into your system, they will never have access to all of your data in one place.

How can things go wrong in networks that will impact individuals and companies?

As a company, and an individual, your data is extremely valuable. If your personal data has been hacked, you can be a victim to things like identity theft, having contracts or loans taken out on your name and even worse, having a criminal record for something someone else does! As a company, it’s not just you who’s data is at stake, it’s every one you have ever worked with, suppliers and buyers. Moreover, a hacker can easily switch out your data, with their own. This can make it possible for them to send out any message using the name of your company, this can cause irreversible damage, even if you get access to your data again, you don’t know what the hacker could have already done with your data and what they could do in the future.

In addition to this, the hack can also lead to downtime on your website’s front end and your entire network could crash, this would lead to potential revenue loss and customers could go elsewhere. The longer it takes for the network to come back online, the more damage your company takes.

How can Education and Training in Cyber Security help Individuals Keep Networks Running Safely?

Hacking doesn’t come naturally to people, they learn it and continue to upgrade their skills to fit the way the internet changes. This means that if you want to stay safe from a cyberattack, you’re going to have to get educated too. When you know how hackers gain access to your system, you will know “what not to do” and if they do successfully attack your network, you should know how to get them out of your network and secure it.

Below are the skills and training that everyone needs to have in any cybersecurity program of an organisation or otherwise:

• Act as an Administrator, be able to troubleshoot any hardware or software issues for individual computers and in a multi-user setting
  
• Figure out the potential problems in a network, be able to fix at least the basic ones. Use the information to better your network.
  
• You should be able to manage minor security breaches. Have a basic sense of how security measures work. 

The need for people in IT is growing exponentially. It is expected that there will be at least a 18% increase in the employment rate for IT professionals within the next ten years. It will help companies if everyone on their teams can come together and make educated decisions their entire time online. Just putting in a little bit of effort can keep you and your entire company safe from cyberattacks.