Philip Meyer, VP of Product Engineering HR & Payroll at Sage.

In the modern digital era, network security has become a critical concern for businesses worldwide. 

With the increasing prevalence and sophistication of cyber threats, organisations must prioritise robust network security measures to protect their valuable data and maintain trust.

Network security in South Africa

In South Africa, there is a strong recognition of the importance of network security. According to Sage’s Cyber Security for SMBs report, 71% of South African small and medium-sized businesses see cyber security as part of their culture. 

However, despite this, there is a clamour for better education and training around cyber security among South African small medium businesses (SMBs). The report found that 69% of respondents want more support with education and training, which is significantly higher than the global average of 52%.

This suggests that while South African businesses are aware of the importance of network security, there is still a need for further support and resources to implement robust security measures effectively. 

This includes understanding and addressing specific challenges, such as stolen laptops, which was the most common cyber security incident reported in South Africa.

Why network security is crucial

As organisations become more interconnected, the potential attack surface for cybercriminals expands significantly. A single breach can lead to substantial financial losses, regulatory penalties, and damage to a company's reputation. Network security safeguards this data by preventing unauthorised access, misuse, or alterations.

A comprehensive network security policy is key to maintaining a secure digital environment. The policy should comprehensively address an organisation's network, covering hardware, software and data, and define acceptable use, incident handling procedures, and regular audits for evolving threats.

It should detail access control, roles, responsibilities, network security measures, endpoint protection, device security, monitoring and logging. Access control limits information access to authorised individuals, while defined roles clarify employee responsibilities for security.

Network security measures safeguard against cyber threats, and endpoint device security protects remote access. Employee training is vital to mitigate human error and keep staff informed on emerging threats and effective responses.

The key objective of running successful Network Security Systems is to maintain control of access, and also allows employee training, regular audits and monitoring of firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). 

Alongside these measures, organisations need an incident response plan that ensures patch management and vulnerability scanning, allowing the IT team to focus on more strategic matters.

Layered security or defence in depth

Layered security or defence in depth is an approach where multiple layers of security controls are used together to protect resources and data at various levels in the network. If one layer fails, others will still provide the protection required, as no single security measure can provide complete protection against cyber threats.

A fully layered security strategy, especially in a cloud environment, should incorporate physical security, network security, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools, data security, and security awareness training. 

Additionally, it should also include aspects such as Identity Access Management (IAM) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM).

Layered security is especially important in today's complex cybersecurity landscape, where threats can originate from numerous sources and take various forms.

How AI/ML can fortify a network security strategy

Artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) significantly enhance network security by automating threat detection and response, processing large datasets to uncover hidden patterns and identify potential threats. 

Leveraging AI/ML for anomaly detection, threat intelligence, malware prevention, phishing detection and automated incident response deepens security measures.

These technologies analyse real-time data, automate tasks, and improve over time, enabling organisations to stay ahead of cyber threats.

At Sage, we are committed to a connected network of businesses where data and technology integrate seamlessly. 

We understand the unique challenges South African businesses face and in an era of concern over rapid technological innovation in AI, Sage consistently embraces new technology and integrates it into its business solutions. 

We are committed to equipping our customers with essential tools and insights to bolster their security strategies, safeguarding their invaluable data against potential cyber threats.