[Marcena Davis]

To secure a company’s network, there are several types of controls that can be put in place:

Firewalls: Firewalls act as a barrier between a company’s internal network and external threats. They can be set up to filter incoming and outgoing traffic, allowing only authorized data to pass through.

Antivirus Software: Installing antivirus software on all company devices helps detect and remove malicious software or viruses that could compromise the network.

Access Controls: Implementing strong access controls ensures that only authorized individuals can access sensitive information. This includes strong password policies, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and user permissions.

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS): These systems monitor network traffic for suspicious activities and can either detect or prevent unauthorized access or attacks.

Regular Software Updates: Keeping all software, including operating systems and applications, up to date with the latest security patches helps protect against known vulnerabilities.

Employee Training: Educating employees about security best practices, social engineering tactics, and how to recognize phishing attempts can prevent human error from compromising the network.

Data Encryption: Encrypting sensitive data both in transit and at rest ensures that even if unauthorized access occurs, the data remains secure and unreadable.

Regular Backups: Regularly backing up data and storing it in a secure location ensures that in the event of a security breach or data loss, the company can recover its critical information.

Network Segmentation: Dividing the network into smaller segments with limited access helps contain breaches and prevent attackers from moving laterally within the network.

Security Audits and Monitoring: Conducting regular security audits and monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns or anomalies can help identify and address potential threats.

Implementing a combination of these controls helps to create a layered and robust network security strategy, which is essential in today’s digital landscape to protect a company’s valuable assets and data.

References:
Checkpoint. “What Is Network Security.” Check Point Software, 2022, http://www.checkpoint.com/cyber-hub/network-security/what-is-network-security/.