Let's take a closer look at network security, a facet of cybersecurity that should not be overlooked!
The rapid advances in artificial intelligence are not the only benefits for computer networks. AI helps pentesters and hackers alike... The difference? One is paid to detect vulnerabilities, the other to exploit them. Attacks are increasingly targeted (ransomware, advanced phishing, zero-day exploits). Sensitive corporate data is the first to be affected. But behind every sophisticated hack lies a poorly secured network.
If you're wondering how to deal with this reality, this article will guide you through the essential next steps for protecting your infrastructure.
What is IT network security?
Let's start with the basics. What does IT network security really mean? It's the set of technical and organisational measures implemented to protect an entity's 3 fundamental pillars:
- Integrity: Securing computer networks means guaranteeing that data is not altered, i.e. preventing it from being distorted or used in an unauthorised way.
Explanation: integrity ensures that a company's financial reports are not modified without authorisation. - Confidentiality: This involves preventing access to an entity's data (company or other organisations) by third parties without the owner's prior authorisation.
Explanation: Confidentiality prevents a competitor from accessing the business strategies stored on your server. - Availability: The aim here is to ensure that resources remain accessible to legitimate users.
Explanation: A company with a highly available system allows its employees to access data at any time, even in the event of breakdowns.
What is the purpose of network security?
Between hackers casually browsing innovations and employees still clicking on "suspicious attachment.exe", system protection must be a core concern for businesses. Hacking, malware, denial of service - no entity is immune!
But the real danger? It often comes from within: human error and technical breakdowns. A misplaced USB stick and a "123456" password make hackers' jobs easier. And we haven't even mentioned the old servers that date back to the year the company was founded.
And yet, network reliability is also a beacon for compliance with the RGPD and the sector-specific standards that govern your organisation.
The key components of network security
Find out here about the main components of your network protection:
- Firewall: filters incoming and outgoing traffic to block suspicious connections.
- Intrusion detection or prevention system (IDS/IPS): monitors the network to identify and block malicious activity and software in real time.
- VPN: Already adopted by most web professionals, it encrypts communications to secure remote exchanges. This system is very useful for organisations with teleworking staff.
- Multi-factor authentication or MFA: this strengthens access to systems with several proofs of identity (password, SMS, fingerprints, facial recognition).
- Data encryption: this protects sensitive information even in the event of interception. Among the best-known are the SSL/TLS and end-to-end encryption protocols.
How does network security work?
Having identified the key components, let's delve into their anti-hacker ballet:
The basic mechanisms
- Access control: here we're talking about authentication, authorisation and logging. The idea is to check the identity of users by means of passwords, biometrics and MFA in order to limit access according to the role of each user. This will also enable connections to be traced so that suspicious activities can be audited.
- Traffic monitoring: this involves real-time analysis of data flows on the network using tools such as SIEM (Security Information and Event Management). It collects and correlates logs to identify suspicious activity. Next, next-generation firewalls (NGFW) complete the system to filter traffic and analyse packet content.
- Anomaly detection: this is where behavioural baselines are defined. A "normal profile" of the network is determined, such as bandwidth, access times, etc., so that deviations can be easily spotted.
Automatic learning
- Predictive analysis: AI in network protection is like having a bodyguard who anticipates attacks even before the attacker imagines them. It will identify potential threats by cross-referencing historical data recovered via basic mechanisms. For example: identifying zerodays via patterns similar to past attacks. In the case of Microsoft Defender ATP, it uses Machine Learning to detect ransomware before it is executed.
- Automated response: this involves the intelligent isolation of devices affected by different attacks in order to limit propagation. Algorithms are configured to automatically adjust firewall rules in response to new threats (e.g. blocking an IP after a series of failed connection attempts).
- Detection of advanced attacks: the AI analyses stealth or covert attacks, detecting micro-anomalies invisible to humans.
💡Note : in 2025, AI has become a secret weapon for anticipating certain phishing attacks. For example, we already know the characteristics of previous malicious emails to isolate the infected workstation and adjust the measures already in place.
The benefits of robust network security
Network protection goes beyond technical protection. It also offers strategic, legal and commercial benefits to your organisation.
Protection: prevention rather than cure
Preventing cyber-attacks costs you up to 10 times less than suffering them... a bit like going to the dentist before you have a toothache. It's cheaper, and it hurts less.
On average, this repair cost is invoiced at 100,000 euros per hour. So what measures should be taken?
- Data encryption (AES-256): in the worst-case scenario, if your data is disclosed, it cannot be read or decrypted.
- Disaster recovery plan (DRP): the confidentiality of your sensitive information will be guaranteed and, at the same time, you can ensure business continuity.
☝️ In 2023, several French hospitals suffered ransomware attacks, disrupting their operations. Some hospitals, such as the CHU de la Réunion, were able to maintain their emergency services thanks to early detection of a cyber attack.
Regulatory compliance (RGPD, ISO 27001, etc.)
The IT infrastructure defence system is now a legal imperative as regulations become increasingly stringent. Did you know? The RGPD provides for huge penalties for failure to comply with the rules on securing IT networks (up to 4% of worldwide turnover, or €20 million).
However, simple measures such as anonymising data or notifying leaks within 72 hours can turn the situation completely around.
Indeed, companies that meet these basic requirements always have a competitive advantage. Calls for tender, whether public or private, often require specific protection standards.
🗣️ Fact: an RGPD-compliant SME has every chance of signing a contract with a European customer against a competitor with no security.
A guarantee of trust for customers and partners
While trust is built naturally over time, reputation also contributes to it. According to Proofpoint's 2024 report, half of organisations that have suffered data leaks have seen a marked drop in their competitiveness.
Consumers refuse to do business with companies that have already been hacked for fear of a repeat. Given this situation, highlighting ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification can reassure your customers that their information is protected.
This also applies to partnerships with major groups. System integrity audits are a mandatory procedure prior to any collaboration.
Cross-functional benefits
When we talk about IT infrastructure defence systems, the indirect benefits are rarely mentioned, even though they are just as important for an organisation:
- Reduced costs, as prevention remains the least expensive approach.
- Improved team productivity : no crisis = more time to work! Repetitive hacking = more time to scroll through TikTok!
- Long-term protection of your brand image !
The 6 types of network security
Modern cybersecurity relies on several layers of protection to secure networks against a variety of threats. Here are 6 key types of defence system:
Network Access Control (NAC)
This is an intelligent barrier that authenticates and authorises only validated users and devices (employees, certified IT, etc.).
In 2025, Network Access Control will incorporate AI into behavioural biometrics to rapidly detect masked intrusions.
Flagship tools include Cisco ISE and FortiNAC.
Firewall and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
The firewall filters incoming and outgoing traffic based on predefined rules (e.g. blocking port 22 for SSH if not used). New-generation firewalls also analyse the content of packets, such as keywords and malware.
As for the IPS, it detects and blocks known attacks in real time. To take a concrete example, an IPS blocks an attempted SQL injection on an e-commerce site.
Application security
According to OWASP reports, the majority of security flaws stem from the vulnerability of mobile and web applications. Use WAFs (Web Application Firewalls) to filter malicious requests.
Best practice: carry out a penetration test (pentests) and corrections before deployment. Automatic scanning with Acunetix or Burp Suite is an interesting alternative.
E-mail protection
Company e-mail boxes need optimum security, bearing in mind that 80-90% of cyber attacks start with underestimated spam! Indeed, AAG surveys show that 3.4 billion phishing e-mails are sent every day. Unsurprisingly, most exchanges of confidential information take place by e-mail.
What measures should you take?
- Install an anti-spam or phishing filter (to detect fake "urgent" e-mails)
- Set up a system for analysing attachments and links with sandboxes (isolation for malware detection).
VPN and encryption
A VPN is an encrypted tunnel for secure remote access, ideal if you have branches or agents working from home. It protects data in transit (SSL/TLS) and at rest (AES-256). So, for example, a consultant can access customer files via a VPN without any risk of interception.
But beware: a poorly configured VPN is a backdoor for hackers!
Cloud security
Its function is to protect data hosted at AWS/Azure/GCP from leaks or incorrect configurations. Cloud security is also used to manage identities and access (IAM) in order to limit privileges.
In practical terms, you can use homomorphic encryption (data processing without decryption) or CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker). A company that has set up a cloud security system can detect and correct a publicly exposed S3 bucket in 5 minutes.
What tools can help you?
Here's the part you've been waiting for: a comparative analysis of modern network security tools. We're going to classify them by category, with their key features and use cases. That's right, choosing your network security tools is like putting together a team of superheroes: each with their own superpower!
Keepnet Labs: threat management and awareness
Keepnet Labs
Keepnet Labs is an anti-phishing and incident management platform. The tool simulates phishing attacks and then provides training for employees accordingly. It also detects data leaks on the dark web.
With Keepnet Labs, you can expect a reduction in clicks on malicious links of up to 90%. What's more, it integrates easily with Microsoft 365 and Slack.
- Use case: companies that want to strengthen their "human first line of defence".
- Alternatives : KnowBe4 (awareness leader) has a library of well-configured training modules. Proofpoint Security Awareness uses AI to detect risky behaviour.
Example of the layout of the Keepnet Labs platform :
Acunetix: web application security
Acunetix
Acunetix is a vulnerability scanner. Its superpower? Find automatic vulnerabilities (SQLi, XSS, etc.) in web/API applications, then give a compliance report with OWASP Top 10, RGPD.
If you use Acunetix, you'll have access to fast scanning without slowing down your servers. And for tracking corrections, it integrates Jira and GitHub.
- Use cases: developers and CISOs in fintech or e-commerce.
- Alternatives: Burp Suite Entreprise (Portswigger) is a pro solution for pentesters. Then there's Checkmarx, which performs static and dynamic code analysis.
Example of the layout of the Acunetix platform:
Versa SASE: perimeter and cloud security (SASE/SSE)
Versa SASE
Do you have teams in more than 10 countries? Try Versa SASE! Versa SASE combines SD-WAN, firewall, nails and ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access). If you want to protect hybrid access (offices, teleworking), you've found the right tool.
The advantage is that latencies are reduced to 40%. The tool even supports multi-cloud architectures (AWS, Azure).
- Use case: large companies with international subsidiaries
- Alternatives: Cato Networks, a leading SASE with a unified platform. Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange, focusing on Internet/Cloud security.
Example of the layout of the Versa SASE platform :
NordLayer: secure access and VPN
NordLayer
At a time when workers are increasingly mobile, a VPN has become an essential necessity.
NordLayer (Enterprise VPN), the most popular in its category, uses AES-256 encryption, with servers dedicated to businesses. It is also compatible with the Zero Trust model.
The big plus? Unbeatable value for money! A tool that remains competitive with its direct competitors: Cisco AnyConnect and Palo Alto GlobalProtect.
The interface is also very simple and easy to use:
- Use case: start-ups or distributed teams needing a lightweight VPN.
- Alternatives: Talescale, a mesh VPN based on WireGuard (ideal for developers). Perimeter 87, an all-in-one solution (VPN, access management).
Example of the layout of the NordLayer platform:
Darktrace : Monitoring and incident response (XDR/SIEM)
Darktrace is your IT network's immune system. It brings AI to bear where traditional threat detection solutions fail. In fact, its self-learning artificial intelligence detects behavioural anomalies.
- Use cases: critical sectors such as energy, healthcare, etc.
- Alternatives : CrowdStrike Falcon, EDR/XDR with real-time threat hunting. Splunk (SIEM), advanced log analysis for large infrastructures.
Example of the layout of the Darktrace platform:
WIZ: Cloud security
When hackers innovate, your network security must anticipate. The solution is WIZ, the scanner for dangerous configurations such as open S3 buckets and excessive permissions. It also features a real-time risk prioritisation system.
WIZ is compatible with AWS, Azure and GCP in just a few minutes.
- Use case: companies migrating to the cloud
- Alternatives: Prisma Cloud (Palo Alto), a complete suite. Orca Security, agentless vulnerability detection.
Example of the layout of the WIZ platform:
IT security in a nutshell!
In an age when threats are evolving as fast as firewalls, protecting your IT infrastructure is no longer a luxury - it's a strategic necessity. The slightest vulnerability can cost a company millions. This article has highlighted the importance of choosing the right tools to protect the 3 fundamental pillars of your business.
So where do you start? A personalised audit by experts to identify your vulnerabilities. And don't delay, because hackers won't wait until you're ready.
Article translated from French