Selecting the right network security solution is crucial for safeguarding an organization’s sensitive data and ensuring uninterrupted operations. As cyber threats evolve, organizations need comprehensive security measures tailored to their specific needs. With numerous options available, choosing the right solution requires a strategic approach.

In this guide, we will explore essential factors to consider when selecting a network security solution, ensuring your organization is well-equipped to mitigate risks and protect its assets effectively.

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Network security refers to the strategies, technologies, and policies implemented to protect an organization’s network from unauthorized access, misuse, or attacks. It encompasses both hardware and software components designed to safeguard the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data transmitted across networks.

Modern networks are expanding far beyond on-premises into virtual environments, cloud and hybrid networks. More than 50% of incidents will come from cloud network activity by 2029, meaning defenders need a solution that can level the playing field against complex attacks that traverse multiple areas of a digital estate, including north-south and east-west traffic.

Protect your business against known and novel threats by using a comprehensive network security strategy that works in real-time—without relying on historical attack data, threat intelligence, or cloud connections.

Gain full network visibility: Monitor your on-premises, cloud, virtual, hybrid environments, and remote devices to ensure no blind spots exist.

Augment your SOC team with AI: Automate the investigation and prioritization of security alerts at machine speed, reducing the time and effort needed to manage incidents.

Avoid business disruption: Implement autonomous response tools that adapt to your organization’s context, containing threats in real-time without affecting critical business processes.

Unify insights across your business: Consolidate data from your network, cloud platforms, OT devices, emails, endpoints, third-party alerts, and threat intelligence into a single solution for comprehensive visibility and faster decision-making.

This multi-layered approach ensures your security network is prepared to handle both expected and unexpected threats, keeping operations running smoothly.

Choosing the right network security solution requires understanding the different types available and what the shortcomings are of most solutions.

Evaluating threat detection methods

Most NDR vendors and network security tools such as IDS/IPS rely on detecting known attacks with historical data and supervised machine learning, leaving organizations vulnerable to novel threats such as zero-days, variants of known attacks, supply chain attacks and insider threats.  

This legacy approach means that at least one organization needs to be ‘patient zero’ - the first victim of a novel attack – before it can be detected elsewhere. Other NDR vendors also apply models that are trained globally and are not unique to each organization’s environment, creating a high number of false positives and alerts that lack business context.

Buyers should look for solutions that focus on network behavior rather than relying on known malware signatures, external threat intelligence, or historical attack data. These tools use advanced machine learning to understand what "normal" looks like for your specific network environment, allowing them to detect both unusual activity and previously unseen threats.

Advanced solutions like Darktrace / NETWORK monitor all connections within the network. Its strength lies in its ability to provide real-time insights into behaviors that could disrupt business operations. Compared to traditional tools like intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), which often rely on packet sampling or predefined signatures, NDR solutions offer more comprehensive visibility and a deeper understanding of network behavior. This helps organizations catch subtle threats that might otherwise go unnoticed, minimizing the risk of costly disruptions.

The role of AI in network security

Many security solutions use AI to surface possible threats faster than humans can, but basically leave it up to analysts to investigate and prioritize them all. Since most teams don’t have unlimited cycles to field alerts — and threat actors use the same techniques to turbo-charge new attacks — AI must do more than add sheer horsepower.  

To give network defenders a valuable time advantage, network security needs to make smarter use of AI. For starters, it should continuously analyze nuanced behavior by authorized users to detect subtle indicators of risk, but AI’s value shouldn’t end there. Advanced implementations of AI can update network security strategies to combat new and perennial threats with:

• Behavioral analysis at machine speed and scale
• Advanced anomaly detection based on your unique
  organization
• Autonomous surgical response to contain threats within
  seconds without disrupting business operations

AI should learn and act on its own. AI-led solutions should train and maintain their own intelligence without consuming analyst cycles to stay current. In the next sections, we’ll see how a Self-Learning AI approach gives defenders the advantage against today’s leading attacks. Enterprise networks today barely resemble their counterparts from just a few years ago. Resources and users are now spread across a variety of enterprises, cloud and remote locations, making the perimeter amorphous and difficult to define.

Assessing business network needs

Choosing the right network security solution starts with a clear understanding of your organization’s specific requirements. A tailored approach ensures that your security investments align with business operations and can grow with your needs.

Identify your network’s specific requirements

• Company size and industry: A small business may need basic firewalls and antivirus software, while a larger enterprise in highly regulated industries (like healthcare or finance) will require advanced tools such as intrusion detection systems (IDS) and data encryption. ‍
• Network complexity: Companies with hybrid environments or remote workforces need security solutions that cover on-premises, cloud, and remote devices.

Evaluate existing infrastructure and resources

• Review current tools and technologies in place, such as firewalls, VPNs, or monitoring systems, to identify gaps.
• Assess internal resources and expertise—do you need in-house management, or will outsourcing to a managed security provider be more efficient?
• Take inventory of network segments to ensure all parts, including IoT or OT devices, are covered by your security strategy.

Align security solutions with business goals

• Balance security and operational efficiency: Overly strict security can slow down workflows, while insufficient security exposes the business to risk. Solutions should provide both protection and smooth operations.
• Scalability: Select solutions that grow with your business. As your organization expands, your security tools should be flexible enough to handle increased network traffic and more devices.

Understanding your network needs ensures that your chosen security solution is both effective and aligned with your long-term business goals. This approach helps maximize your investment while maintaining operational efficiency and security.

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Building a strong network security framework requires a proactive and multi-layered approach. Implementing these best practices can help organizations stay ahead of evolving threats while maintaining smooth business operations.

Implement layered security strategies

• Defense in depth: Relying on multiple security layers—such as firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), antivirus software, and endpoint detection tools—ensures that if one layer is breached, others still provide protection. ‍
• Zero-trust approach: Limit access based on roles and ensure that users and devices are authenticated at every stage, preventing unauthorized access across the network.

Regular security audits and updates

• Audits help identify vulnerabilities in existing infrastructure and assess compliance with security policies. ‍
• Frequent software updates and patching are essential to close gaps that attackers might exploit. Automated patch management can streamline this process and ensure consistency.

Invest in an AI-powered solution

• AI-powered tools analyze large volumes of data in real time, detecting both known and unknown threats more efficiently than traditional methods.
• They help automate incident detection and response, lightening the load on SOC teams by filtering out false positives and prioritizing high-risk alerts.

Best practices for ongoing protection

• Train employees on cybersecurity awareness: Employees are often the first line of defense. Regular training helps them recognize phishing attempts and other social engineering attacks.

• Collaborate with cybersecurity experts: Engaging with external consultants or managed security service providers (MSSPs) ensures access to the latest threat intelligence and expertise in advanced security practices.

A well-rounded strategy that includes employee awareness, layered security, regular audits, and AI tools ensures continuous protection. By staying proactive and leveraging both internal and external resources, businesses can minimize risks and maintain strong defenses against ever-evolving cyber threats.

Enhance your network and system security with Darktrace's AI-driven protection. With years of experience and a proven track record, Darktrace offers advanced cybersecurity solutions tailored to your business needs. Explore our professional services and request a demo to see how we can help protect your digital assets. Visit Darktrace's website to learn more about our comprehensive cybersecurity services.

Download the Darktrace / NETWORK Solution Brief

Protect in real time: Defend against known and emerging threats without relying on historical data or external intelligence.

Full visibility: Gain comprehensive insights across all network environments, including on-premises, cloud, and remote devices.

AI-powered efficiency: Streamline incident response with AI automation, saving time and resources while ensuring minimal disruption to operations.