denial of service attack

What is a Denial of Service (DoS) Attack in Computer Security?

Denial of service can happen many more times than you might think, and it is actually one of the most common types of cyberattacks when talking about military or government sectors. Denial of Service, shortened to DoS, has the ability to floor a server or network with a bunch of fake users or traffic. This then prevents real people from gaining access. Its main form of attack is trying to knock off your system offline, amongst other things. Read more about how you can familiarize yourself with DoS attacks and how to prevent them with companies like Fognigma. 

How Do DoS Attacks Work?

As we’ve mentioned, DoS attacks are all about flooding your infrastructure with false traffic. Doing this can overwhelm your network, causing your server or processing power to just get exhausted. There are two main types of DoS attacks: single-origin and distributed attacks.

DoS (Single-Origin Attack) 

Single-origin DoS attack is coming from a single source, which is effective in dismantling your security but is somewhat easier to identify and get rid of compared to distributed.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack 

Distributed DDoS attacks come from multiple users or systems. This is often hard to pinpoint because there are so many different users at play. DDoS attacks can launch an attack simultaneously with all these different variants at play that overall increase its impact, making it much scarier than a single origin attack.

What is Denial of Service Attack in Computer Security and What Does it Look Like?

So, what do these attacks even look like? Most commonly, you’ll see DoS or DDoS attacks as something we call flood attacks, where they can bombard your server with a large amount of requests till it ultimately shuts down, or they look like something we call SYN floods, which is exploiting a handshake process to where you leave a server ‘hanging’ on incomplete connections. Then, there are application layer attacks and amplification attacks, which target specific applications and make them inaccessible to everyone who’s authorized.

What Happens When a DoS Attack Occurs?

So, if a DoS attack occurs, the consequences can be pretty far-reaching if you don’t have the necessary protection. Some of the biggest hits can be halting your business operations, finding vulnerabilities, and messing with revenue that can lead to huge customer frustration. This then can then affect your reputation and brand. Attackers usually like to see a loss of trust within your customer or client base as well as using the DoS attack as a distraction to carry out a bigger malware attack. For some, having just their server down can be life-changing, so it’s important to protect your network as much and as soon as possible, but how is it done?

How to Prevent and Mitigate DoS Attacks

Say a DoS attack does happen to your company or organization; what strategies are in place to stop it and prevent it from happening again? The good news is that there are a couple of different things you can do to help defeat or defend against DoS attacks. Read below some of the ones Fognigma finds most common.

Firewalls and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) 

Firewalls are your first line of defense. They monitor network traffic and block malicious packets from entering. Advanced options like next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) include IPS, which detects and thwarts DoS attempts at early stages.

Balancing High Traffic and Load

A load balancer helps distribute traffic across multiple servers, making your system more resilient to high traffic volumes. During a DoS attack, it prevents any one server from being overwhelmed.

Limiting Amount of Requests and Users

Set limits on how many requests a server can accept within a specific time frame. This can help throttle excessive traffic from malicious sources.

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) 

CDNs cache your website’s content across multiple servers worldwide. By distributing the load, they protect your primary server and absorb excess traffic.

Constantly Monitoring and Alerts 

Monitoring tools can identify unusual traffic patterns early. Setting up alerts allows your IT team to act promptly during an attack.

Honeypots 

For organizations like military and government entities, deploying honeypots—decoys designed to attract attackers—can be an effective countermeasure. They act as a trap, gathering intelligence about attacker behavior while keeping actual systems safe.

What is Intrusion in Network Security?

In network security, an “intrusion” can refer to unauthorized people or access or penetration into a computer system, where a malicious person gains access to system resources without permission. This then can potentially cause damage or disruption to data, systems, or operations. Essentially, it’s when someone “breaks into” a network without authorization. These intrusions can range from exploiting vulnerabilities in software to launching sophisticated phishing attacks aimed at gaining access to sensitive information.

Why Military Organizations Need Specialized Protection

Military departments and organizations are constantly dealing with confidential data. DoS and DDoS attacks can happen to anyone, including the military. To make sure no operations get disrupted, take the necessary precautions to ensure the best security is in place. One of the ways to do that is to team up with Fognigma. We can help keep you secure and away from isolated environments, utilize things like cloaking techniques when needed, and proactively neutralize threats. Then, you’re able to get as much information as you can on these cyber hackers to better protect the system for future events. Protecting critical data and maintaining system availability are non-negotiable priorities, and Fognigma’s services can help organizations meet these challenges head-on.

Summary

A denial of service attack can happen to anyone at any given time. It’s a strong hit if it breaks through your infrastructure, and some organizations can’t recover from it. So it’s incredibly important to be protected from this from ever happening. With military or government sectors dealing with sensitive data, getting the right defenses in place is imperative. With Fognigma, you’re able to do this. We have solutions and services that can reduce hackers’ presence and exposure to make sure everything runs smoothly all the time. Reach out to us today to explore our cybersecurity solutions and insights.

network security architecture

What is Network Security Architecture?

Network security comes in many different layers. When talking about network security architecture, think of it as the blueprint or the written roadmap for your network security. It’s a great way to safeguard your data as well as fully comprehend what your digital infrastructure looks like. Just as a building needs a solid design to stand strong, your network needs a comprehensive framework to remain secure, reliable, and resilient against evolving cyberattacks. This blog talks about everything you need to know about network security architecture and why it’s crucial for people in IT.

Network Security Architecture – Defined

As we’ve mentioned, architecture, in any sense, is like a blueprint before the final product. In terms of network security, architecture is the written design for things like protocols, security measures, risks, technologies in place, and more. It shows everything in an overview of what goes on in your organization regarding digital security. Also, network architecture can integrate hardware, software, and security policies into a unified system. It is designed to address internal vulnerabilities and external risks alike while ensuring high performance, reliability, and compliance with industry standards.

Why is Network Security So Important?

Without having these blueprints, IT professionals and other people on your staff won’t have an idea of what your infrastructure looks like. This can result in breaches happening more frequently as well as allowing unauthorized users access to the data. Having a well-structured architecture in place can give your staff full visibility to what is going on as well as keep operations uninterrupted, protecting sensitive information, and, if there is an attack, is designed to fight and recover quickly. Network security isn’t just a layer of protection—it’s a strategic advantage, helping you stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.

What Makes Up Network Security Architecture

So, what goes into the nitty gritty of network security architecture? There are tons of different components that make this up, and it may be best for us to break each one down to you.

Firewalls

Firewalls act as the first line of defense. They establish a barrier between your trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the Internet. By monitoring incoming and outgoing traffic, firewalls ensure that potentially harmful data packets are blocked before they enter your system.

(IDS/IPS) Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS)

While firewalls block known threats, IDS and IPS take network security a step further. IDS monitors the system for unusual activity or potential intrusions, while IPS intercepts and prevents threats from causing damage. Together, these tools protect against sophisticated attacks like malware and exploitation of vulnerabilities.

Control of Who Goes In or Out

Network security isn’t just about keeping bad actors out—it’s about managing who has access and to what extent. Access control measures, including Access Control Lists (ACLs), least privilege principles, and multi-factor authentication (MFA), ensure that resources are only accessible to authorized users, reducing the risk of internal threats.

Usage of VPNs or Virtual Private Networks

VPNs provide a secure, encrypted connection for users accessing a network remotely. Particularly useful for organizations with remote teams, VPNs ensure that sensitive communication remains private, even when transmitted over public networks.

Encrypting Sensitive Information

Data encryption transforms sensitive data into unreadable formats unless decrypted with an authorized key. This ensures the confidentiality of data being stored or transmitted, adding a critical layer of protection against unauthorized access.

SIEM or Security Information and Event Management

SIEM tools collect and analyze data from across your network to detect threats in real-time. They provide insights and trigger automated responses to security events, making them important to proactive network defense.

How Companies like Fognigma Can Protect Networks

Fognigma is all too familiar with hackers and cyber attacks, and because of it, we’re the best company to team up with in protecting your information. If you’re a military organization, we specialize in helping your network security architecture be the best there is so that it can fight persistent threats easily. Using tools like secure enclaves, encrypted communication platforms, and virtual obfuscation technologies, Fognigma can give you amazing protection for mission-critical operations. Our services can show how effective network security architecture can support operational continuity while maintaining confidentiality and resilience. So, no matter what happens, your operations will always be running smoothly.

How to Better Your Network Security

Upgrading your network security architecture can take a lot of time in redesigning the framework. We suggest doing other things before jumping into this debacle. Some things you can do that will automatically improve your security is regularly updating your software. Outdated systems are extremely vulnerable to outside users. This is one of the first things they look out for. Also, monitor your user’s activity. A lot of times, hacks begin internally just from human error, so it’s important to see if unusual patterns or phishing emails are being sent so you can put a stop to it as soon as possible before it turns into a storm. Then, make sure your staff fully understands security protocols so phishing emails or other things don’t happen as frequently as they do. This can require regular training, but it is worth strengthening your defenses in the long run.

Summary

Overall, understanding network security architecture can get a bit overwhelming with all the layers involved. Still, once you do, you’ll have a better grasp on controlling your entire security system and infrastructure. This can then help your organization be protected against threats and outside users. Suppose you want to take your protection another step further, team up with Fognigma and get your data covered by top-tier solutions. Reach out to us today on how we can help you design secure systems that stand the test of modern cyber challenges. Remember, you’re not just securing your network, you are securing your future.

digital signature

What is a Digital Signature in Network Security?

With data being more open to take from outside users, companies everywhere need to take the most precautions in network security. One of the ways to do this is by using a digital signature. What is a digital signature in network security? Fognigma is here to tell you everything there is to know and how it can safeguard your business operations. Read on for more!

What Is a Digital Signature?

A digital signature is pretty self-explanatory in that it’s a form of a handwritten signature that you can use as a sort of stamped seal of approval in using or signing off on a digital document. It’s also one of the many ways to add a layer of protection. With digital signatures, you can prove the sender’s authenticity or recipient of a confidential document. Also, unlike a traditional signature, you can have it be extremely unique and not open for forgery, so it takes your network security to another level of protection. Overall, digital signatures can help make sure the material or content remains unchanged, confirm the identity of the sender, and/or prevent the sender from signing off on something.

How Do Digital Signatures Work?

Digital signatures tend to have a specific coding or framework within them that makes this method encrypted so that no one can sign off on it. It has technology that can make sure there is no tampering whatsoever so that if you do end up signing something with a digital signature, no one is going to go back and edit the signature. It’s locked and unaltered. There are forms of digital signatures, as well, that have the coding so that if someone is trying to alter your signature, you’re made aware of it and can do something about the potential tampering.

Digital Signatures vs. Traditional Signatures

The thing about traditional signatures that can be scary to some businesses is that anyone can easily forge them. Digital signatures, on the other hand, are difficult to copy due to their encryption. Because of this, a lot of companies that work online and pass documents back and forth digitally only work with digital signatures to make sure there is a verification process done correctly and authentically. If your company works on a large scale, you should consider digital signatures since they’re ideal in a digital environment.

Examples of Digital Signatures in Business Operations

So, when are digital signatures commonly used in business, and what do they look like? A lot of times, digital signatures are used for securing contracts. This is especially helpful for remote companies or clients overseas. Also, digital signatures can be used for verifying transactions and protecting classified documents. These all help reduce fraud risks and ensure businesses have the authenticity they need.

Benefits of Digital Signatures in Network Security

Digital signatures are the way to go if you want your company’s documents protected. They not only give you the security you want with their highly reliable encryption but also make things like signing documents so much more efficient. Physical signatures can take time, and turning to digital speeds up the process. Additionally, it can save you money as well as resources. Digital signatures reduce the need for paper-based products exponentially, making your business follow eco-friendly practices. Finally, one of the best benefits of digital signatures is if you work with clients across seas or borders. You can get the signature you need, regardless of location.

How to Implement Digital Signatures in Your Workflow

When you start implementing digital signatures within your company’s processes, the most important thing you want to do is work with a reliable business like Fognigma to have precisely what you need regarding network security. It’s counterintuitive to get all these network services if they don’t give you the protection. Also, another thing you want to keep in mind when implementing digital signatures is to make sure your employees are familiar with it. You can do this by having training sessions or presentations that walk them through the process. Then, after everything is set up, continue to conduct regular audits and identify any potential risks or security gaps. If found, your IT professionals should be able to come in and take the necessary steps in order to maintain security.

What is Data Integrity in Network Security?

Data integrity is something all businesses should have in mind in their workflows. It makes sure that data remains unchanged or uncorrupted by any outside source. In having the proper data integrity, you can ensure that your information or classified content is safe and no one is tampering with it. Digital signatures can play a key role in improving your data integrity by being able to verify a sender’s identity.

Future Trends in Digital Signature Technology

Most companies today are hopping on the digital signature train. Because of this type of service’s effectiveness and efficiency, companies are even more motivated to use digital signatures with the rise of remote work and virtual communication. As technology advances, you should expect to see even more secure and user-friendly options for digital signatures in the future.

Summary

Digital signature not only makes your business run better but can give you an extra layer of protection to your network. It can help protect things like documents, transactions, and more from being accessed by outside users. Also, it can reduce things like paper since it’s all online, making your business operate on an eco-friendly basis. For military organizations looking to stay ahead in an increasingly digital landscape, integrating digital signature technology is not just an option but a necessity. If you’re interested in learning more, reach out to Fognigma today. We offer a range of network security solutions and can share more details when you connect with us.

What is Network Security and Cryptography

What is Network Security and Cryptography?

Network security is all about protecting the important stuff. In businesses or organizations, this important stuff could be a handful of confidential documents like transactions, login credentials, metrics, and more. Data theft happens every day, so it’s your job to make sure it doesn’t happen to you. 

With network security comes cryptography. This blog will talk about how both are crucial in keeping your information safe and giving your organization a protected layer of security. Read on for more!

What is Network Security, and Why is Network Security Important?

Network security is primarily what it says: securing a network. If your organization deals with digital files, communication, and more, network security is detrimental to have in place. All a hacker has to do is break into your digital infrastructure, and then they automatically have access to everything. This is the last thing you want. Network security puts processes in place like two-factor authentication, safeguards, and also cryptography within your digital infrastructure. Then, everything you have access to should be kept secure.

What Does Network Security Do for Your Organization?

A well-designed security policy:

  • Establishes guidelines for employee behavior when accessing, storing, and transmitting data.
  • Sets goals and expectations for third-party collaborators and contractors on network usage.
  • Identifies the worst possible outcomes and offers strategies for prevention and mitigation.
  • Outlines security protocols for security incidents to minimize damage.

The thing about network security is that it isn’t a one-and-done service. You’ll have to consistently monitor and regulate what goes on in the organization and keep up to date on software updates. Hackers can find weaknesses and get into the infrastructure in these prime areas.

Why Do You Need Network Security?

Network security isn’t something you want to add to your company’s infrastructure just for the fun of it. It’s the backbone of a network being ultimately effective. If hackers are able to get into your digital framework, not only can they get their hands on your data but they can take over the entire thing. There are data breaches, phishing schemes, and malware attacks that happen almost every day so having some sort of protection in place is essential. Also, being proactive about security means fewer surprises—and fewer risks.

What is Cryptography in Network Security?

Cryptography is a form of encryption of data so that malicious users can’t get access. Usually, suppose you have sensitive data in storage or are actively using it in your daily tasks. In that case, having some sort of cryptography practice in place can help encode that data so that only your team has access. Believe it or not, cryptography has actually been around for ages, even used by the ancient Romans and Egyptians! Fast forward to today, and it’s being used in protecting computer data information like logins, emails, bank transactions, and more.

How Cryptography Safeguards Data

So how does it all work? With cryptography, you can keep files and other data under encryption or secret coding that only authorized people can access. Also, you can have something called Cryptographic keys that secure messages, sensitive communication, and even credit card usage. With this type of network security in place, you’re able to preserve your privacy.

The Role of Tools in Network Security

Having a reliable company by your side to help you implement network security is half the battle. Consider the tools that Fognigma offers to make sure your network is entirely secure. We offer services like VPNs, encryption techniques, and other security protocols that can make all your content safe and locked down.

If you’re dealing with data leaks, unauthorized access, and more, you may want to consider using cryptography within your framework. Luckily for you, Fognigma shows you how to use it to improve your cybersecurity.

What are the Types of Cryptography?

Cryptography is complex and has various amounts of types. Here are some we find to be the most popular among businesses:

  • Symmetric Encryption: This type of cryptography uses a single key to encrypt and decrypt data. However, this means that the same key must be shared between both parties involved in communication.
  • Asymmetric Encryption: In this method, two different keys are used for encryption and decryption. One is public and can be shared with anyone, while the other is private and kept secret by the owner.
  • Hash Functions: These algorithms generate unique digital signatures for each message or file, making it easy to detect any changes or tampering with the data.

Knowing the right type of cryptography for your workflow is a great step forward. Talk with your IT team about what they think is best, and teams like Fognigma can help implement it in your network security.

Summary

Having secure network security can be hard, especially considering it isn’t a one-time effort. You have to be proactive in the way you implement cybersecurity, including cryptographic methods. If programs get outdated or do not have a lot of activity, hackers are able to break in so much easier. Fognigma knows all this and helps guide military organizations through having the best cybersecurity available. Businesses also face challenges in securing their networks, relying on internal users to not share data, and more. That’s why Fognigma can provide tips and tricks for adapting to outside threats. If you’re ready to take your network security to the next level, explore how website and blog expertise may help protect your organization.