Network Security Specialist

Roles and Responsibilities

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

Required Experience

• Fresh Graduates

Required Skills

• SolarWinds, ServiceNow, L1 Networking
• 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: Determines what level of access the user is granted based on their role (e.g., admin, user, guest).
  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Restricts system access to authorized users based on roles or groups.
• Firewall Protection:
  • Firewalls: 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.
• Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS):
  • Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and alerts administrators.
  • Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS): Actively blocks suspicious activity in real-time to prevent attacks.
• 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.
  • Remote Access VPN: Provides secure access to a network from remote locations.
• Encryption:
  • Encryption is the process of converting data into a coded format that is unreadable without the proper decryption key.
  • SSL/TLS: Used to encrypt data exchanged between web browsers and servers.
• Network Segmentation:
  • Segmentation involves dividing the network into smaller segments to limit the spread of potential attacks.
  • VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks): Used to create logical divisions within a physical network.
• Antivirus and Anti-malware Solutions:
  • Installed on network devices to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software.
  • Continuous updates are required to maintain effectiveness.
• Traffic Monitoring and Analysis:
  • Monitoring network traffic can help identify malicious activities.
  • Network Traffic Analysis Tools: Examine traffic patterns and identify abnormalities.
• Patch Management:
  • Keeping network devices and software up-to-date is crucial for protecting against known vulnerabilities.
  • Automated Patch Management: Ensures timely deployment of security patches.
• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM):
  • SIEM solutions aggregate and analyze logs and security data from various sources across the network.
  • Log Management: Helps track user activity and network events.

Desired Candidate Profile

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 aiming 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: Attacker intercepts communications between two parties.
5. SQL Injection: Malicious SQL code injected to gain unauthorized access to databases.
6. Zero-Day Exploits: Attacks targeting previously unknown vulnerabilities.
7. Insider Threats: Security breaches originating from inside the organization.

Best Practices for Network Security:

1. Regularly Update Software and Devices: Ensure all devices and software are up-to-date.
2. Enforce Strong Authentication: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong password policies.
3. Educate Employees: Conduct regular security training sessions.
4. Monitor Network Traffic: Continuously monitor network traffic for unusual activity.
5. Back Up Data: Regularly back up critical data.
6. Limit User Access: Use the principle of least privilege.
7. Implement Network Segmentation: Break the network into smaller segments.

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