Access Control: This involves implementing mechanisms to restrict access to network resources based on user roles and permissions. Common methods include user authentication (verifying user identity) and authorization (granting specific access rights). Firewalls act as the first line of defense, filtering incoming and outgoing traffic based on pre-defined security rules.

Data Security: Protecting sensitive data in transit and at rest is crucial. Encryption techniques scramble data using cryptographic algorithms, rendering it unreadable without a decryption key. This safeguards data confidentiality even if intercepted by malicious actors.

Vulnerability Management: Network devices and software applications often contain vulnerabilities (weaknesses) that cybercriminals can exploit. Implementing a proactive vulnerability management strategy involves identifying, prioritizing, and patching these vulnerabilities to minimize the attack surface.

Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS): These security tools continuously monitor network traffic for suspicious activity that might indicate a potential attack. IDS systems raise alerts, while IPS systems actively block malicious traffic attempting to gain unauthorized access.

Network Segmentation: Dividing the network into smaller, isolated segments can limit the potential impact of a security breach. By compartmentalizing critical resources and restricting access between segments, the damage caused by a successful attack can be contained.

Security Policies and Procedures: Clearly defined security policies establish guidelines for user behavior, data handling practices, and acceptable network usage. These policies, coupled with proper user training, raise security awareness and encourage responsible network usage.