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Network Visibility vs Network Security - Why You Need Both

October 25, 2021

Network Visibility vs Network Security - Why You Need Both

As networks become more complex and businesses become more digitally reliant, network security has become critical. With the rapidly increasing number of devices connected to networks, organizations need to ensure they have maximum visibility of their networks to detect and prevent cyber threats. But what is network visibility, and how does it differ from network security? More importantly, why do you need both?

What is Network Visibility?

Network visibility involves monitoring all activity on a network, including devices, software, and data. The goal of network visibility is to provide real-time data on everything that occurs on a network, enabling network administrators to optimize network performance, detect anomalies, and identify potential security threats.

What is Network Security?

Network security, on the other hand, involves protecting a network from unauthorized access, data theft, malware attacks, and other malicious activities. Network security focuses on identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities and risks that could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical resources and data.

Why You Need Both

While network visibility and network security might seem similar, they are not interchangeable. Network visibility provides insights into what's happening on the network, enabling you to proactively identify threats before they cause damage. Network security, on the other hand, ensures that your network is secure from external and internal threats by implementing security controls to minimize and prevent attacks.

Without network visibility, a security breach on your network could go unnoticed for an extended period, resulting in significant damage. Conversely, without security measures in place, network visibility would be futile as cybercriminals and malicious actors could quickly exploit vulnerabilities and wreak havoc.

Here are some benefits you'll gain by having both network visibility and network security:

  • Real-time network monitoring to identify and respond to anomalies and potential security risks
  • Increased visibility into network activities, improving network performance and optimizing IT resources
  • Enhanced threat detection and response capabilities for timely and effective incident management
  • Reduced risk of cyber attacks, data breaches, and other security incidents

Network Visibility vs Network Security: Finding the Right Balance

While it's essential to have both network visibility and network security, finding the right balance can be a challenge. Your organization needs to define its risk appetite, determine the resources available, and identify the appropriate tools and technologies to implement effective network security and visibility measures.

Some of the tools and techniques available to organizations include:

  • Firewall and intrusion detection/prevention systems
  • Endpoint detection and response solutions
  • Network traffic analysis and monitoring tools
  • Security information and event management (SIEM) systems

Conclusion

In today's digital age, network visibility and security are crucial to protect your business from cyber threats. You need both to detect and respond promptly to potential security risks and attacks. By implementing the right tools and technologies, you can achieve optimal network performance, reduce the risk of security incidents, and ensure your network is protected against malicious activities.

Don't wait for a security incident to happen before you prioritize network security and visibility. Contact a reputable cybersecurity professional who can assess your network and recommend appropriate solutions that align with your business needs.

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