Network Security Specialist

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or Network Security.

Required Experience
Fresh Graduates

Required Skills

1. SolarWinds, ServiceNow, L1 Networking
2. Access Control:
   • Authentication: Ensures that only authorized users can access the network. Common methods include username/password combinations, biometrics, and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
   • Authorization: After authentication, systems determine what level of access the user is granted based on their role (e.g., admin, user, guest).
   • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): This system restricts system access to authorized users based on roles or groups.
3. Firewall Protection:
   • Firewalls are hardware or software devices used to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
   • Types of Firewalls:
     • Packet Filtering Firewalls: Inspects packets of data and decides whether to allow or block them based on defined security rules.
     • Stateful Inspection Firewalls: Monitors the state of active connections and makes decisions based on both predefined rules and the state of the connection.
     • Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW): Include additional features such as deep packet inspection, intrusion detection/prevention, and application awareness.
4. Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS):
   • Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and alerts administrators if potentially malicious activity is detected.
   • Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS): Similar to IDS, but with the added capability of actively blocking suspicious activity in real-time to prevent attacks from progressing.
5. Virtual Private Network (VPN):
   • A VPN is a secure connection that allows remote users to access a network over the internet in an encrypted format.
   • Site-to-Site VPN: Establishes a secure link between two networks, such as a corporate office and a remote branch.
   • Remote Access VPN: Provides individual users with secure access to a network from remote locations.
6. Encryption:
   • Encryption is the process of converting data into a coded format that is unreadable without the proper decryption key.
   • SSL/TLS: Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols are used to encrypt data exchanged between web browsers and servers.
7. Network Segmentation:
   • Segmentation involves dividing the network into smaller, isolated segments to limit the spread of potential attacks.
   • VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks): Used to create logical divisions within a physical network.
8. Antivirus and Anti-malware Solutions:
   • These tools are installed on network devices to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software (malware).
9. Traffic Monitoring and Analysis:
   • Monitoring network traffic can help identify malicious activities.
   • Network Traffic Analysis Tools: These tools examine traffic patterns and identify abnormalities.
10. Patch Management:
    • Keeping network devices and software up-to-date with the latest patches is crucial for protecting against known vulnerabilities.
11. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM):
    • SIEM solutions aggregate and analyze logs and security data from various sources across the network.

Types of Network Security Threats:

1. Malware: Malicious software that infects systems to steal data, cause disruptions, or damage systems.
2. Phishing Attacks: Social engineering attacks where attackers attempt to trick users into revealing sensitive information.
3. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks: Attacks aimed at disrupting the availability of network services.
4. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: The attacker intercepts communications between two parties.
5. SQL Injection: A form of attack where malicious SQL code is injected into input fields.
6. Zero-Day Exploits: Attacks that target previously unknown vulnerabilities.
7. Insider Threats: Security breaches originating from inside the organization.

Best Practices for Network Security:

1. Regularly Update Software and Devices
2. Enforce Strong Authentication
3. Educate Employees
4. Monitor Network Traffic
5. Back Up Data
6. Limit User Access
7. Implement Network Segmentation

Common Tools and Technologies in Network Security:

1. Firewalls
2. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
3. Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions
4. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools
5. Antivirus and Anti-malware software
6. Network Monitoring Tools
7. Endpoint Protection Solutions
8. Encryption Tools
9. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Solutions