The digital world is under constant risk as cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly advanced and increasing at a staggering rate. While significant developments have been made to mitigate cyber risk, network security threats continue to evolve further to get unauthorized access and steal data from companies.
According to Cloudwards Cybersecurity Statistics 2024, Cybersecurity intrusions increased by 613% from 2013 to 2023.
In this digital age, despite every organization’s awareness of cybersecurity risk, many organizations still neglect to implement any protective measures to mitigate network vulnerabilities giving an opportunity to cyber attackers. This blog will help you understand types of network vulnerabilities and network threats and how to mitigate them but first let us start with understanding the meaning of network vulnerabilities.
What Are Network Vulnerabilities?
Network vulnerability is an inherent weakness or design flaw in a system’s software, hardware, network, or organizational processes that creates a looming threat over the data, system, or process of any organization. This network vulnerability leads to compromised data security in case of any cyber-attack.
5 Common Types of Network Security Vulnerabilities
Staying ahead of network threats is difficult, but not impossible. One needs to understand the nature of different network security vulnerabilities in their own system as the first step of mitigating the security risk. Perpetrators are constantly searching for ways to take advantage of network vulnerabilities in the dynamic virtual world. Recognizing the typical categories of network security weaknesses is the first line of defense for your digital assets against intrusions.
1. Physical Vulnerabilities
One of the most common mistakes while securing digital assets is overlooking the physical component of security. Lack of secure infrastructure where your servers or any other asset that can give access to your network or data is stored. This includes vulnerabilities like:
- Unsecured data centers: Unlocked data centers, lack of surveillance, or lack of access control system.
- Unauthorized access: Safety measures are not put in place so someone can only access servers with proper clearance.
2. Software-Based Vulnerabilities
No matter how secure the physical hardware or servers are, a device uses several software to work efficiently and if any of those softwares has any weaknesses then it is only a matter of time before a hacker will try to exploit that weakness. The software-based vulnerabilities include:
- Outdated software: Software developers are constantly keeping an eye on any new threat or error and coming up with the latest updates to fix those bugs.
- Operating system flaw: Bugs or weaknesses in the operating system can lead to attackers gaining control over your network.
- Third-party software risk: Sharing vulnerable data with any third-party software puts you in a risky place as they can exploit it for their benefit.
3. Human-Based Vulnerabilities
Humans are considered the weakest link as they inadvertently introduce vulnerabilities to any system. Employees, contractors, customers, and sometimes even vendors can bring network security threats to your doorstep. Common human-based vulnerabilities include:
- Phishing attacks: These are email or message-based network security attacks designed to manipulate the user into clicking on a harmful link.
- Social engineering attacks: It is a deceptive strategy to exploit human psychology to trick them into sharing sensitive information or compromising security through some malicious action.
- Accidental errors: Humans are prone to human error which oftentimes creates network security risks.
4. Configuration-Based Vulnerabilities
Oversight in the configuration of network devices, weak firewalls, and lack of access control can pose a significant threat to the organization. These misconfigurations are leaving the network exposed to a number of threats. Primary configuration-based vulnerabilities include:
- Weak passwords: Setting default passwords or easily predictable passwords can also compromise network security.
- Firewall misconfiguration: A firewall is first in line of defense for a secure network and firewall vulnerability contributes to a critical network threat.
- Unsecured Network Access Points: These are the open doors of any network offering direct entry to attackers to infiltrate any system.
5. IoT and Device Vulnerabilities
IoT devices are convenience-based devices, prone to attracting attackers as they offer minimal to no protection against any cyber-attack. Common IoT and device vulnerabilities include:
- Insecure default setting: Most IoT devices are shipped with default settings and passwords that can be easily found in online handbooks and help centers.
- Lack of encryption: IoT devices network in unencrypted making it easy to breach sensitive data.
- Firmware vulnerabilities: The almost impossible-to-update firmware leaves these devices unsecure once an updated version has been released.
By understanding these network vulnerabilities an organization can take proactive steps to prevent and mitigate the risk of network threats.
Understanding Network Security Threats
Day by day, networks are growing not just in size but also in complexity as new SaaS tools are introduced, data centers are shifting to new methods of storage, and with this growth constantly brand-new threats are emerging, creating a risk on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and resources.
A clear understanding of these threats is the first step toward taking robust preventive actions.
5 Types of Network Security Threats
Scroll down to explore some of the most common types of network security threats.
1. Malware and viruses
Short for malicious software, it is one of the significant threats to any network security. Malware includes viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, and many more. Malware is a result of network vulnerability and leads to compromised data.
The most common malware is a virus that takes birth from any infected program, file, or external storage device. It causes extensive problems as sometimes it slows down the system and others freeze them completely.
The most dangerous malware is ransomware as it encrypts the data and attackers extort payment in exchange for unlocking it. These network security attacks can cripple an organization by making its data unusable leading to monetary loss and lawsuits in worst-case scenarios.
2. Phishing and social engineering attacks
Unsuspecting people are one of the biggest threats to a network as they can intentionally or unintentionally be manipulated into revealing sensitive information of an organization. In social engineering hackers attack people’s sense of trust in order to trick them into performing some actions that compromise the safety of the data and systems of the business.
Social engineering includes Phishing, which is trusting a fake email or website designed to steal information. While primary preventive actions are taken against intentional data breaches, many researchers have found that most cyber-attacks are a result of sheer negligence on the part of employees.
3. DDoS and botnet attacks
DDoS stands for distributed denial of service. In this, the attacker sends an overwhelming amount of bogus or artificial traffic to an organization’s website or application. This traffic results in the unavailability of the network for genuine users.
Botnets stand for Robot Network and are created with the intention to launch a large-scale DDoS attack, send spam emails, or perform other malicious activities. They primarily infect IoT devices so the hacker can have remote control over the network.
A DDoS attack can cause significant monetary loss, and reputational damage. It can also be used as a distractive method to launch a much bigger and harmful attack.
4. Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks
As the name suggests, MitM is when a hacker eavesdrops in the middle of the user and any software or application to steal information and later uses the stolen information to blackmail or perform any other malevolent actions.
MitM majorly happens due to unsecured or poorly encrypted network data. The attacks are carried out in two phases, the attacker first intercepts user traffic and then decrypts the data without informing the user.
Furthermore, MitM can be disastrous if the attacker gains a foothold inside the server during the infiltration.
5. SQL injection and other cyber-attacks
SQL injection is a common vulnerability of web security that interferes with the query a user makes through its application to the database. These attack targets manipulate databases in servers by injecting harmful SQL code into the input field. The attacks if performed on a large scale allow attackers to view, modify, delete, or steal data, compromising its reliability and in worst-case scenarios, the attacker directly attacks the back-end infrastructure resulting in a denial-of-service attack.
These are a few of the most common network threats, but cyber-criminals are always searching for new ways to identify and take advantage of any network security vulnerabilities. In order to protect themselves, organizations must be watchful and take preventative action, such as implementing the newest firewalls and security technologies, updating their software frequently, and providing employee training.
- Deep Visibility and Control
- Eliminate Alert Fatigue
- Automated Detection and Response
Tools and Techniques for Vulnerability Assessment
Understanding network vulnerabilities and network threats is the first phase of protecting the digital assets of an organization. In the next step, one needs to effectively and regularly assess where vulnerabilities could exist.
Here are some essential tools and techniques for vulnerability assessment of network:
Penetration testing
Penetration testing popularly known as “pen testing” is a technique where an organization hires ethical hackers or security professionals to stimulate or imitate an attack on the network and test the defense of an organization. The hired professional tries to breach the system and find any underlying vulnerability before any hacker does.
Penetration testing helps uncover all system weaknesses such as physical vulnerability, software-based vulnerability, or any misconfiguration in the network. In regular pen testing human elements are assessed to ensure that even social engineering cannot break the organization’s security posture.
Regular security audits
Regular security audits are a crucial factor in mitigating any network threat. These audits are performed to find any flaw or potential risk that may jeopardize the organization’s data and system. These audits are conducted either by the internal IT team or a third-party security professional.
The auditors make sure that the company’s information system conforms to both external and internal IT regulations. Both internal and external audits have benefits; internal auditors can offer objective audit results while external auditors have in-depth knowledge of the organization’s network.
Best Practices to Mitigate Network Vulnerabilities
Other than risk assessment there are some common practices that organizations adopt to diminish network vulnerabilities. Here are some key strategies to enhance network security:
Regular Software Updates and Patch Management
All software developers are coming up with regular updates to patch any security loopholes that can endanger the organization’s data. Regularly updating all software including operating systems, applications, and firmware is a sure-shot way of mitigating any network threat through the security flaw of software. On the other hand, delays in updating the software can expose your network and system to known and unknown network threats.
Strong Password Policies
Default or weak passwords are likened to an open door for hackers creating network security concerns. A “brute-force attack,” also known as password cracking, is a popular method hackers use to guess the password.
As a downside of advanced technology, there are hacking software easily available that are designed for brute-force attack. Organizations should create strong password regulations and, if necessary, multi-factor authentication (MFA) in order to protect themselves.
Employee Training and Awareness Programs
Humans are considered a weak link in the security protocols of any organization. Hence, it becomes important to regularly educate employees about network security risks and best practices. The training session should include information about phishing attacks, social engineering, the dangers of weak passwords, and awareness of any other potential risks. Regular training programs will eventually create a culture of cyber awareness that can reduce security breaches.
Implementing Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
Robust firewalls and Intrusion detection systems can detect any threat and send security alerts to systems to take preventive action. The detection works by monitoring and analyzing the incoming and outgoing traffic. Any suspicious activity is taken as a threat and cyber security teams are alerted to ensure safety. IDS works best if integrated with Intrusion prevention systems which can not only detect but also take proactive action to prevent any such malicious activity.
Secure Configuration Management
Misconfigured and incorrectly configured devices such as routers, servers, and IoT devices pose a big security risk for any organization. Ensuring secured configuration by disabling unnecessary services, changing default settings, and updating default passwords to strong passwords. Organizations should also use the principle of least privilege which states that users should only get the access they absolutely require.
Data Encryption
A useful trick to keep data safe from unwanted usage is to encrypt it securely both in transit and at endpoints. Comprehensive encryptions guarantee that a hacker cannot decipher and misuse the data, even if it is intercepted or captured. The organization should implement encryption protocols and keep improving its practices before it loses pace with evolving threats.
Fidelis Network Detection and Response (NDR)
Fidelis NDR is your one-stop tool aimed at swiftly identifying and responding to any network threat. It works as the first line of defense with proactive monitoring of traffic and in case of any behavior anomaly detection or indications of malicious activities Fidelis NDR is equipped with technologies like:
- Network Data Loss Prevention
- Sandboxing
- Deep Session Inspection
- Advance Cyber Terrain Mapping
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the most common vulnerabilities that exist in a network?
There are several common network vulnerabilities, including but not limited to:
- Physical Vulnerabilities: Lack of strong infrastructure around servers can give access to data to any perpetrators.
- Software vulnerabilities: Outdated software or getting software from unauthorized vendors makes your system vulnerable to attack.
- Configuration vulnerabilities: Misconfigured devices create an entry point for intruders.
- Human-based vulnerabilities: Untrained and unsuspecting employees often fall for phishing and other social engineering attacks to compromise an organization’s data. They are also one of the most common network vulnerabilities.
- IoT Vulnerabilities: IoT devices are often poorly configured with weak encryptions leading to cyber-attacks.
How Do Network Vulnerabilities Impact Businesses?
Network vulnerability often leads to many negative impacts on the business, some of which are:
- Data breach: Network vulnerability mostly led to compromising sensitive information of the organization.
- Disruption of operations: Attacks such as DDoS, or SQL injection can cause denial and disruption of services.
- Financial loss: Recovering stolen data, disruption of operations, and hefty lawsuits can cause monetary loss to businesses.
- Reputational loss: Any security breach damages customer confidence resulting in loss of business.
- Compliance violation: Data breach due to negligence attracts big fines and lawsuits.
How Can Network Vulnerabilities Be Identified?
There are tried and tested methods to identify any underlying network vulnerabilities.
- Penetration testing: Testing the system through stimulated attack can aware the organization of any hidden or intrinsic flaws.
- Security Audits: Regular security audits help to assess if network security measures are following IT protocols and industry protocols.
- Monitoring tools: There are firewalls and intrusion detection systems (IDS) available to detect any intrusion and alert the cyber security team.
What Is the Difference Between Network Vulnerabilities and Network Threats?
Network vulnerabilities: These are the design flaws in the system that can be exploited by hackers. These vulnerabilities include unpatched software, misconfigured devices, weak passwords, vulnerable IoT devices, etc.
Network threat: Network threats are the methods of attack that hackers use to exploit the vulnerable network. These threats include phishing attacks, Botnets, physical sabotage, viruses, SQL injection, etc.
How Can IoT Devices Introduce Network security Vulnerabilities?
Security factors are neglected while IoT devices are produced as they are only made for convenience. They are the most vulnerable machines prone to be attacked by hackers:
- Weak default setting: Keeping the default setting of an IoT device can give unauthorized access to your network to an attacker.
- Weak encryption: Strong encryption is often neglected in IoT devices making it easy to exploit.
- Insecure firmware: The firmware of such devices is difficult to update for a layman, creating an easy entry point for a potential attack.
