DEV Community

SignMyCode
SignMyCode

Posted on

The Power Duo of Cybersecurity | Network Security and Application Security

Image description
In a world with frequent technological changes, maintaining the trustworthiness and protection of your data and systems should be of paramount importance. With technology constantly evolving for the better, dangers and susceptibility could also make your online security more extraordinary.

This is where the issues of network security and application security appear, which may be referred to as two complementary subtopics. Realizing the difference between these two domains is necessary to set up an adequate data protection system and stop cybercriminals from gaining your private data and damaging your system.

What is Network Security?

Network security is an umbrella framework comprising the policies, procedures, and technology layers designed to safeguard and defend the integrity of the network from any potential threats.

It protects all the computer network system items, including routers, switches, firewalls, and access points, ensuring safe data transmission.

Network security’s first and foremost goal is to provide robust authentication protocols and secure an application from unknown intrusion.

What is Application Security?

While application security focuses mainly on protecting the software applications and programs that utilize the network infrastructure as their basis, infrastructure security aims to defend the network services that allow network devices to communicate.

It includes but also focuses on security risks that may be exposed via the application code, libraries, and frameworks at the design and development stages through deployments.

What is Application Security Best Used For?

Ransomware is the most worrying type since it is centered on computers or software that is usually used to support or that impacts business and financial institutions’ operations. It is best used in the following scenarios:

  • Web Applications
  • Mobile Applications
  • Legacy Applications
  • Financial and Healthcare Applications

What is Network Security Best Used For?

Network security measures work in environments where they primarily protect the underlying network infrastructure and keep any devices and systems from communicating in an unauthorized manner. Some critical applications of network security include:

  • Perimeter Defense
  • Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
  • Wireless Network Security
  • Network Monitoring and Logging
  • Network Segmentation
  • Internet of Things (IoT) Security

Click to get full guide and Major Differences to Know

Top comments (0)