Understanding network security
Network security represents the processes, actions, and policies to prevent, monitor, and protect unauthorized access to computer networks. Network security paradigms span a vast array of technologies, tools, and practices. Here are a few important ones:
- Access control: Selectively restricting access based on user authentication and authorization mechanisms. Examples of access control include users, groups, and permissions. Some of the related concepts were covered in Chapter 4, Managing Users and Groups.
- Application security: Securing and protecting server and end user applications (email, web, and mobile apps). Examples of application security include Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux), strongly encrypted connections, antivirus, and anti-malware programs. We’ll cover SELinux in Chapter 10, Disaster Recovery, Diagnostics, and Troubleshooting.
- Endpoint security: Securing and protecting servers and end user devices (smartphones, laptops...
