An Introduction to Network Security Threats and Defenses in 2023

What Is Network Security?

Network security is a massive subject that includes a wide range of processes, policies, rules, standards, frameworks, software, and hardware solutions. Its major purpose is to safeguard a network and its data against various dangers such as attacks and breaches.

Access controls, application security tools, virus and antivirus software, network analysis, firewalls, virtual private network (VPN) encryption, endpoint protection, online, and wireless security are all common components of a network security program.

What Are the Top 5 Network Security Threats in 2023?

While predicting the most significant dangers is difficult, the following threats are regarded as top priorities by practically every enterprise and network security professional and are expected to grow in importance in 2023.

Ransomware

Ransomware is malicious software (malware) that encrypts data on a victim’s machine and demands money to unlock the ransomed material and restore access to the victim. The ransom is typically paid in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, allowing the cybercriminal to stay anonymous.

Ransomware is becoming increasingly common as a result of the dark web’s availability of ransomware kits and Ransomware as a Service (RaaS). These goods and services enable thieves to acquire and utilize tools to develop ransomware with specific capabilities at a low cost. Scareware, encryption malware, master boot record ransomware, and mobile ransomware are examples of common ransomware kinds.

API Attacks

These attacks make use of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for malicious purposes. APIs are targeted by threat actors because they promote web-based interactions and can aid in the launch of the following attacks:

• Injection:- This happens when threat actors embed harmful malware into vulnerable software. SQL injection (SQLi) and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) are two common injection techniques.
• Denial of Service (DoS) or Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS):- By overloading a targeted system with bogus traffic, threat actors can slow it down or render it completely unavailable to its intended users.
• Data exposure:- Passwords, session tokens, private health information (PHI), and financial data such as credit and debit card information are frequently processed and transferred by web apps. This data may be exposed due to a lack of security safeguards.

Social Engineering Attacks

These attacks employ psychological manipulation techniques such as deceit and coercion to persuade a victim to aid in the attack. Phishing is a typical social engineering approach in which an individual is duped into performing a specific action, such as opening a malicious attachment, clicking a malicious link, or disclosing confidential information, such as login credentials.

Phishing emails, business communications tools, and social media are commonly used. When the threat actor sends SMS text messages, the attack is known as smishing (SMS phishing), and when the danger actor calls, the attack is known as vishing (voice phishing). Another prevalent tactic that targets a specific person or group is spear phishing.

Supply Chain Attacks

Supply chain assaults take advantage of an organization’s links with externally linked parties. It entails leveraging established trust connections such as third-party access granted to suppliers and vendors, trusted external software authorized to release updates, and third-party code such as open-source components used by the company.

A supply chain strike can cause severe damage to multiple parties at the same time. If a trustworthy entity on a supply chain with authorized access to several organizations is compromised, it impacts all of these parties. In the SolarWinds assault of 2020, for example, a threat artist was able to incorporate malicious code into a SolarWinds update that was distributed to all SolarWinds customers, damaging connected data and crucial infrastructure.

Fileless Malware Attacks

Fileless malware is a type of malware that does not require the installation of a file on the victim’s computer to execute. Instead, it uses existing computer tools and processes to carry out its harmful activity. Because it does not leave a trace of a malicious file on the system, it can be more difficult to identify and remove.

Fileless malware can be distributed by phishing emails or drive-by downloads, in which the victim’s machine is infected merely by visiting a compromised website. Once active, it can execute code in memory, manipulate registry keys, or carry out attacks using legitimate tools such as Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) or PowerShell.

Because Fileless malware leaves no files on the system, it can be difficult to identify using typical security solutions that check for known malware files.

Which Network Security Technologies and Solutions Will Be Popular in 2023?

The three solutions listed below are gaining traction and are expected to become common network tools in 2023 and beyond.

1. Extended Detection and Response (XDR)

Extended Detection and Response (XDR) is a security strategy that focuses on real-time cyber threats. It entails analyzing and monitoring network traffic and activity for signals of suspicious or malicious behavior, as well as remediating risks, using modern technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence.

XDR solutions are intended to provide a complete picture of an organization’s security posture and to assist security teams in identifying and responding to threats more quickly and effectively. They often include capabilities like log management, event analysis, and incident response, as well as the ability to automate specific operations and procedures.

To provide an additional layer of protection against cyber threats, XDR can be used in conjunction with typical security solutions like firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection and prevention systems. It is especially beneficial to enterprises that must monitor and safeguard huge, complex networks with a significant volume of traffic and activity.

2. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

Network traffic is often separated into trusted and untrusted categories in a classical network security model, with some segments of the network considered more secure than others. The zero trust paradigm, on the other hand, believes that all traffic is untrusted and must be confirmed before access to network resources is granted. This method is intended to protect against both internal and external network threats.

Organizations often employ technologies such as multi-factor authentication, network segmentation, and micro-segmentation to regulate access to network resources and minimize the spread of threats while implementing a zero-trust paradigm. The purpose of Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is to limit a network’s attack surface, making it more difficult for attackers to exploit.

When considering whether to give access to network resources, a ZTNA system takes into account a number of contextual considerations. These elements may include:

• The user or device requesting access’s identification.
• The user’s or device’s location.
• The device that is being used.
• The network resources that are being used.
• The user’s or device’s security posture.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

SASE is a new security category that offers managed network protection. It applies security regulations for remote users and cloud services while bypassing the organization’s data centers.

SASE is a cloud-based service that is built on a Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN) infrastructure. Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Secure Web Gateway (SWG) are among the managed security options available. It can support large businesses and provide unified policy management and safe access across hybrid environments as a cloud-based and distributed product.

Conclusion

Network security is an important component of cybersecurity because it protects networks, systems, and data from unwanted access, attacks, and other destructive actions. Organizations must be aware of a wide range of network security risks, including ransomware, social engineering, supply chain attacks, and API attacks. Organizations can guard against these threats by implementing a number of network security solutions and technologies. Organizations can lower the risk of network security breaches and protect their sensitive information and assets by implementing these steps as 2023 begins by taking activities to protect themselves against some of these typical threats.