Network Monitoring Methods

Network monitoring is an essential responsibility for businesses of all sizes. Medium and large companies typically have an on-site or off-site network monitoring system in the cloud, but what about small businesses? This is exactly what hackers ask when they try to break a network.

In recent years, small businesses have become the target of network intrusions as hackers are aware that most small businesses do not implement security practices. The perception is that network security is important only for large corporations, government organizations, and financial institutions. This perception is changing rapidly with the increase in the number of small businesses. So, what does network monitoring generally involve? Let's start by defining network monitoring.

What is network monitoring?

Network monitoring involves several methods that are deployed to maintain the security and integrity of an internal network. The internal network is also known as the Local Area Network (LAN), and monitoring includes hardware, software, viruses, spyware, vulnerabilities such as backdoors and security vulnerabilities, and other aspects that may compromise the integrity of the network.

Network monitoring methods

There is a wide variety of network monitoring methods that are implemented by IT professionals. The techniques are deployed through network monitoring solutions that automatically detect and respond to security and performance issues.

Intrusion Detection: Intrusion Detection monitors local networks for unauthorized access by hackers. This method can be implemented manually, but most computer scientists prefer to use an intrusion detection program that automatically detects viruses and malware, network vulnerabilities such as backdoors, logic bombs, and other security threats. security. Intrusion detection programs generate reports as a result of a system check so that problems can be resolved.
Pack Sniffing: A packet sniffer is a program that inspects every packet of information that crosses the network. The purpose of a packet sniffer is to detect unauthorized network monitoring software that can be installed by hackers to spy on commercial activity and information processes.
Vulnerability Scanning: A vulnerability scanner periodically scans the network for vulnerabilities and weaknesses that open up the possibility of an exploit. This method varies from intrusion detection because it detects a weakness before the attack has taken place. Intrusion detection identifies unauthorized access after the hacker has hacked into the network.
Firewall monitoring: Firewalls monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic. Firewall monitoring tracks the activities of a firewall to ensure that the process of filtering incoming and outgoing connections is working properly and securely.
Penetration Testing: Penetration testing is done by IT professionals using methods used by hackers to hack into a network. The purpose of this process is to take network security to another level by discovering vulnerabilities that hackers may be aware of but have not yet been detected through other monitoring methods.
If you have a small business, you can think of network monitoring as an essential part of your data security strategy. As you can see, there is a lot to be done to secure a LAN, which can increase network maintenance costs.

The alternative is to consider using a network monitoring service that will monitor the important security aspects of your underlying infrastructure. If you'd like to learn more about network monitoring, contact Thrive Networks to find ways to reduce costs while maintaining network integrity.