What Does a Network Security Specialist Do

Are you a sleuth when it comes to solving problems? Do you have a knack for security and a keen attention to detail? If this sounds like you, becoming a network security specialist may be the right career path. So, what does a network security specialist do?

What Does a Network Security Specialist Do?

A network security specialist procures, sets up, and maintains hardware and software to ensure network security. The network security specialist supports their information technology security team. They can work in the office or remotely. Their duties include:

Installing Computer Security Software

Network security specialists install software to stop malicious actors from exploiting vulnerabilities using viruses, worms, or trojan horses. They can install anti-virus software, firewalls, encryption, and other security software to keep the organization’s computers and network safe and secure.

Conducting Regular Security Audits

The network security specialist needs periodic security audits to identify vulnerabilities before hackers exploit them. They may run network logs and gather information about traffic to the network to identify possible threats and block IP addresses from accessing critical network infrastructure.

Assisting in Disaster Recovery

When a disaster happens, whether it is a power outage or ransomware attack, the network security specialist needs to assist in the recovery. To be proactive, they can create systems backups to revert to if the network is compromised. Network security specialists can also gather evidence and devise a plan to restore the network to its original state.

Gathering Evidence of Cybercrimes

There are some critical ways for a network security specialist to collect evidence after a cybercrime. Even the slightest error in the chain of custody can invalidate evidence. They must start by keeping a well-documented chain of custody to understand which users accessed different network sections. 

A network security specialist needs to prepare for the inevitable time when they must preserve evidence from different devices. Whether gathering data about documents, emails, text messages, images, or Internet histories, they must use the proper methods and software not to compromise data.

The original data collected mustn’t be altered in any way to use if the cybercriminal is prosecuted. It is essential to obtain copies of original data to preserve metadata. Once they have identified the best way to extract the data from a device, they must be patient and compile a complete copy of the original data.

It is also essential to use the proper digital forensic software. This can reduce the time and resources needed to manage the process. 

Evaluating Log Files

While a network security specialist gathers evidence and reviews data, they will evaluate log files to understand which users accessed the network and their actions. Log files offer information about network traffic, firewall information, and domain name system authentication.

Deploying Network Security Systems

Before deploying a computer or network security system, the network systems specialist will want to conduct an inventory of computers and network servers, audit the vulnerabilities, and understand the level of risk that the organization adheres to. After this audit, the network security specialist will know which security to employ to meet the organization’s risk threshold. 

When deploying security systems, it is essential to deploy one piece at a time to ensure the network and devices are still in working order after implementation. If something goes wrong with the network after a system is implemented, they can revert to the previous setup and remove the system that caused the malfunction. After deployment, the network security specialist must conduct employee training, so employees understand how each system works and what they need to know to keep the network safe and secure.

Testing Network Security Systems

There are a few different ways to test a network security system. They include:

Network Scanning – network security specialists can use a Network Mapper (NMAP) scan to inventory the organization’s network. It will scan the network for network protocols and open ports and detect operating systems running on remote machines.

Vulnerability Scanning – running a vulnerability assessment report is essential to identify security issues in the organization’s network. The network security specialist can look for misconfigurations or use tools to identify loopholes and security gaps in network infrastructure. This helps them to identify security weaknesses and stop hackers from exposing sensitive data.

Ethical Hacking – the network security specialist can gain unauthorized access to computer systems, applications, and data with the organization’s consent. Any vulnerabilities found are documented and remediated before a malicious attacker exploits them.

Password Cracking – recovering unknown or forgotten passwords to access a computer or network. 

Penetration Testing – the network security specialist finds and exploits vulnerabilities in a computer or network to identify these vulnerabilities before a malicious attacker does. They will do reconnaissance to understand what is available to test, scan for vulnerabilities, exploit vulnerabilities, and then report on ways to close loopholes and security gaps.

Maintaining Network Security Systems

To maintain network security, the specialist will monitor firewall performance to understand if any unauthorized access has occurred and which IP addresses have been blocked. They will update passwords and use two-factor authentication (2FA) to harden security. The network security specialist can implement spam protocols to stop password phishing and attachment viruses. They can also encrypt files as needed to maintain the security of network systems.

Maintaining Hardware and Software

The network security specialist will maintain hardware and software by keeping software updated and implementing any patches. This helps fix bugs and close any vulnerabilities in the hardware and software.

Generate Performance Reports

The network security specialist will need to report to management about security and system performance. Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) software makes monitoring network performance easy and creates reports to identify bandwidth issues, latency, packet loss, throughput, error rate, and downtime. These metrics help management understand a network’s functionality and quality.

Promote Security Best Practices

From password protocols to attachment management, the network security specialist must evangelize best practices to coworkers to keep network infrastructure safe and secure.

Report to Management

Periodically, the network security specialist needs to report to management budget needs, progress made in cybercrime investigation, intrusions that have occurred, or anything management needs to know to make better business decisions and secure the network. 

What Are Network Security Terms that a Specialist Should Know?

Many terms are essential to understand before starting work as a network security specialist. These terms include:

Cloud Computing – on-demand IT resources that are accessible over the Internet on a pay-as-you-go basis.

VPN – a virtual private network encrypts Internet traffic and protects the user’s identity.

Firewalls – a network security device that monitors traffic to and from the network. It can allow good traffic and block malicious traffic.

Intrusion Detection System – an application that monitors the network for known threats and malicious activity. 

Email Security – the act of protecting email accounts from unauthorized access, content theft, or password compromises.

IoT – the Internet of Things is an interconnected group of computing devices enabling them to send and receive data.

Phishing – a way that hackers exploit users by sending emails or messages that look legitimate to induce an individual to reveal personal information

Encryption – the scrambling of data to keep sensitive information from being exploited. Once data is encrypted, only the person with the cipher can read the encrypted information.

DDoS – a distributed denial-of-service attack to disrupt regular traffic to a website by overloading the server with requests from a botnet.

Botnet – a network of compromised computers under the control of a malicious attacker that uses them illegally without the user’s knowledge.

Spyware – malicious software that enters a computer, gathers data, and sends it to a third party without the user’s consent.

Malware – any program designed to harm computer and network systems. This can include ransomware, Trojan horses, or spyware, to name a few.

Final Thoughts

Are you intrigued by what a network security specialist does? If so, let Interactive College of Technology prepare you for a career in network security with our Information Technology degree program. After you complete the program and become certified in CompTIA and Microsoft, we will help you find a job that fits your skillset and passion. Start your first step toward a new career, and Interactive College of Technology will be with you every step of the way.

Want to Learn More?

At Interactive College of Technology, our information technology training program offers two different paths — an in-depth Associate of Science degree in Information Technology and a streamlined diploma program to help you get to work faster.

We’ll help you decide which path is right for you, but both information technology training programs include industry-recognized certifications employers are looking for from CompTIA and Microsoft.

Plus, after you graduate college, our Lifetime Career Placement Support program will help you find work whenever needed.

So, let’s take the first step together! Contact us now to learn more.

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