The FREE Cybersecurity Glossary by Thor Pedersen!

Network security: The set of measures and practices designed to protect a network and the data it carries from unauthorized access, misuse, and destruction. Network security is used to prevent network attacks and protect sensitive information from being stolen or compromised. Examples include firewalls, antivirus software, and encryption.

Network Segmentation: Network segmentation involves dividing a larger network into smaller, isolated subnetworks to enhance security, performance, and manageability. By controlling the flow of traffic between segments, organizations can better contain security breaches and reduce the scope of potential attacks. Techniques for network segmentation include the use of VLANs, firewalls, and network access control lists.

Network Sniffer: A diagnostic tool that captures, analyzes, and records network traffic, network sniffers can be legitimate tools for network management or malicious means for eavesdropping. By examining data packets, network administrators can identify issues and optimize performance, while malicious actors can potentially capture sensitive information.

Network Sniffing: The act of using software to capture network traffic. While often associated with malicious activities such as eavesdropping, sniffing is also a legitimate practice for network monitoring and analysis by administrators to diagnose issues and maintain network health.

Network Taps: Specialized hardware or software tools used in IT to create a mirror image of network traffic for monitoring and analysis purposes. By capturing this data, network administrators and security professionals can observe network performance and investigate potential security incidents without disrupting the flow of traffic.

Network topologies: The arrangement and layout of the various devices on a network, including the way in which they are connected and the logical relationship between them. Network topologies are used to determine the most efficient and effective way to connect devices on a network. Examples include star, bus, and ring topologies.