What is Layered Security & How Does it Defend Your Network?

Conducting business activities online opens the doors to a host of risks starting from data theft. Cyberattacks are increasingly becoming more common and sophisticated. These attacks can be crippling to organisations with hefty losses in both data and money. There is no alternative to safe cybersecurity practices to keep your business protected in the networked world. With cyberattacks evolving with changing technologies, there is a need for a comprehensive form of security system in place. That is where a layered security approach does the work of creating a complete defence system. 

Setting up multiple layers of defence is as important as anything when it comes to protecting your data online. Here is a glance at all you need to know on what is layered security, compiled by our cybersecurity specialists from Perth.

What is layered security?

As the name indicates, a layered security system creates several components of defence to protect the network and system at multiple levels. Layered security is essential because one cybersecurity measure can’t protect your data against all cyberthreats, especially with the ever-evolving viruses and other threats.

The advantage of these multiple layers of security is that there will still be another layer of security protecting your data if one layer is breached. This gives you more protection as well as time to stop the attack and secure data. 

It is said that the best defence is a proactive offence. Setting up a layered security system requires one to presume that there will be a cyber-attack. Such an approach can create a more holistic security system at many levels. 

Now let’s see the different components of layered security: 

System-level security

System-level security includes security at the end-user computer and server nodes. Implementing a strong security system at this level is crucial to the layered security approach. 

Setting up a user ID and a strong password, limiting access to external users, system-level firewall applications, and antivirus are some of the basic security measures to keep the system-level security intact. 

Network-level security

Creating a good security system to protect your network resources from the dangers hidden on the internet is the next layer of security. Network-level security offers protection to your network system when connecting to the internet. It prevents unauthorised access and intrusions. 

There are quite a few options when it comes to creating a solid layer of security, some of which are discussed below.

• Firewalls: Firewalls create a secure blockade between the internet and the internal network. It creates a single, controlled point of contact called a chokepoint to limit the transactions between the two networks. Firewalls essentially prevent unauthorised users from intruding into the internal network and allows users to use authorised resources from the external network. 
• Protecting wireless networks: Wireless networks have a lot of vulnerabilities that can be easily taken advantage of. Setting up a strong security system for your wireless network creates an additional layer of security. 
• Anti-virus & anti-malware software: Comprehensive anti-malware and antivirus software are crucial in detecting and removing viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, and ransomware that are rampant on the internet. Malware can infect a network and lie dormant for many days before launching an attack. Investing in strong anti-threat software is an essential part of a layered security system.
• Access control: Limiting network access by recognising each device and user is key to keeping cyberattacks at bay. Limiting access or blocking non-compliant endpoints is another method by which one can enforce network access control. 
• Network segmentation: Classifying the traffic in a network based on role, location, and other such criteria can ensure that access is allowed to only the right people. This is an ideal security measure to keep suspicious devices out of the network.

Application-level security

Applying security at the application level is important as it has vulnerabilities that can be entry points to cybercriminals to your network systems. Interaction with these applications hence requires stringent security measures. Some forms of application-level security are:

• Email security: Emails are rampant with phishing campaigns, making emails the primary point of entry for malware. A good email security application prevents such attacks by scanning extensively for suspicious content.
• FTP security: File transfer protocol (FTP) allows the transfer of files from one server to another, transfer of files remotely to systems and between systems. This also exposes the system and network to security risks. Thus it is important to creating strong security protocols across FTP transfers.

Transmission level security

Transmission level security keeps a check on the different kinds of data communications that happen across networks. When it happens on the internet, there is little to no control on how the traffic takes you from source to destination, as well as on the data that goes with it. Security measures like the VPN (Virtual private network) create an endpoint level of encryption over the internet. Using a VPN service creates a strong level of security from data loss across the internet. 

Human resource factor

As we always tell our clients, your staff are the first line of your defence. Providing your employees with proper and regular cybersecurity training can keep them updated about the threats out there. They will be aware of the necessary measures to take in case of a cyber breach. Trained employees can easily avoid falling into phishing attacks and other data leakage attacks.

A well-planned and executed layered security policy for your organisation protects it from most kinds of cyber-attacks. Secure your data, network, and business today. To get a well-rounded security system for your organisation, contact our cybersecurity experts at Perth or email us at cybersecurity@computingaustralia.group.

Jargon Buster

VPN – Virtual Private Network provides anonymity online by creating an encrypted connection.
Phishing – a form of fraud where the criminal pretends to be an authoritative or trustworthy entity to steal personal and sensitive data through online communications.
Endpoint– any device at the end of the network, like a laptop, desktop, tablet, mobile phone, etc.