Network security and networking protocols

Abstract

In the field of networking, the specialist area of Network Security consists of the provisions made in an underlying computer network infrastructure, policies adopted by the network administrator to protect the network and the network-accessible resources from unauthorized access, and consistent and continuous monitoring and measurement of its effectiveness (or lack) combined together. The terms Network Security and Information Security are often used interchangeably. Network Security is generally taken as providing protection at the boundaries of an organization by keeping out intruders (hackers). Information Security, however, explicitly focuses on protecting data resources from malware attack or simple mistakes by people within an organization by use of Data Loss Prevention (DLP) techniques. One of these techniques is to compartmentalize large networks with internal boundaries. Employees have to cross these boundaries and be authenticated when attempting to access protected information. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.