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: 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.

• Firewall Protection:

  • Firewalls are hardware or software devices used to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. They act as a barrier between trusted and untrusted networks, preventing unauthorized access.
  • 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 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.

• 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. It ensures that data transmitted over public networks remains confidential and secure.
  • 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.

• Encryption:

  • Encryption is the process of converting data into a coded format that is unreadable without the proper decryption key. It is a key method for protecting sensitive data both in transit (e.g., over the internet) and at rest (e.g., on storage devices).
  • SSL/TLS: Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols are used to encrypt data exchanged between web browsers and servers, ensuring secure communication.

• Network Segmentation:

  • Segmentation involves dividing the network into smaller, isolated segments to limit the spread of potential attacks. Each segment can have its own security controls and policies, helping to prevent lateral movement across the network.
  • VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks): Used to create logical divisions within a physical network, which can improve security by limiting access to sensitive resources.

• Antivirus and Anti-malware Solutions:

  • These tools are installed on network devices to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software (malware) such as viruses, worms, ransomware, spyware, and trojans.
  • Continuous updates are required to maintain the effectiveness of these solutions against new threats.

• Traffic Monitoring and Analysis:

  • Monitoring network traffic can help identify malicious activities such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, malware infections, and unauthorized access attempts.
  • Network Traffic Analysis Tools: These tools examine traffic patterns and identify abnormalities, helping detect potential attacks.

• Patch Management:

  • Keeping network devices and software up-to-date with the latest patches and security updates is crucial for protecting against known vulnerabilities.
  • Automated Patch Management: Ensures timely deployment of security patches across all network components.

• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM):

• SIEM solutions aggregate and analyze logs and security data from various sources across the network. They provide real-time monitoring, alerting, and reporting for security events and potential breaches.
• Log Management: Helps organizations track user activity and network events, providing valuable insight into suspicious behavior.

Desired candidate profile

Types of Network Security Threats:

1. Malware:

   • Malicious software that infects systems to steal data, cause disruptions, or damage systems. Common types include viruses, worms, ransomware, and spyware.

2. Phishing Attacks:

   • Social engineering attacks where attackers attempt to trick users into revealing sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or personal data.

3. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks:

   • Attacks aimed at disrupting the availability of network services, usually by overwhelming a network or server with a flood of traffic. DDoS attacks are large-scale attacks distributed across many systems.

4. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks:

   • In these attacks, the attacker intercepts communications between two parties to eavesdrop, alter messages, or impersonate one of the communicating parties.

5. SQL Injection:

   • A form of attack where malicious SQL code is injected into input fields (e.g., search boxes or login forms) to gain unauthorized access to databases.

6. Zero-Day Exploits:

   • Attacks that target previously unknown vulnerabilities in software or hardware before developers have had a chance to patch them.

7. Insider Threats:

   • Security breaches originating from inside the organization, such as employees or contractors who intentionally or unintentionally compromise network security.

Best Practices for Network Security:

1. Regularly Update Software and Devices: Ensure all devices, software, and network infrastructure are up-to-date with the latest security patches.
2. Enforce Strong Authentication: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong password policies to limit unauthorized access.
3. Educate Employees: Conduct regular security training sessions to raise awareness about phishing, social engineering, and other security threats.
4. Monitor Network Traffic: Continuously monitor network traffic for unusual or suspicious activity using IDS/IPS systems and network traffic analysis tools.
5. Back Up Data: Regularly back up critical data to protect it from ransomware attacks or other data loss incidents.
6. Limit User Access: Use the principle of least privilege to ensure users only have access to the information and systems necessary for their roles.
7. Implement Network Segmentation: Break the network into smaller segments to contain potential breaches and minimize damage.

Common Tools and Technologies in Network Security:

1. Firewalls (Hardware/Software-based)
2. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
3. Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions
4. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools (e.g., Splunk, SolarWinds)
5. Antivirus and Anti-malware software
6. Network Monitoring Tools (e.g., Wireshark, Nagios, PRTG)
7. Endpoint Protection Solutions
8. Encryption Tools (SSL/TLS, IPsec, AES)
9. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Solutions (e.g., Google Authenticator, Authy)