Top 10 Network Security Risks and How to Solve Them

In an era where cyber attacks are more sophisticated and damaging than ever, network security has become a top priority for organisations of all sizes. To safeguard sensitive data and maintain business continuity, it’s essential to identify and mitigate common security risks. In this blog, we’ll highlight the top 10 network security threats and explain how regular security reviews and threat emulation can help address them effectively.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing remains one of the most common and successful attack vectors. Cybercriminals use deceptive emails or websites to trick users into revealing sensitive information.

Solution:
Conduct regular security reviews to assess staff vulnerability and implement training. Use threat emulation to simulate phishing attacks and test employee responses in a controlled environment.

Unpatched Software Vulnerabilities

Outdated software often contains security flaws that attackers exploit.

Solution:
Include patch management in your routine security reviews. Automate software updates where possible, and use threat emulation tools to detect how vulnerable systems might respond to known exploits.

Weak Passwords and Poor Authentication

Simple or reused passwords are easy targets for brute-force attacks.

Solution:
Adopt multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all access points. Review password policies during security audits, and use threat emulation to test the strength of authentication mechanisms.

Insider Threats

Employees, whether malicious or negligent, can pose serious security risks.

Solution:
Perform role-based access reviews as part of your regular security review cycle. Threat emulation can be used to mimic insider behaviours to evaluate how quickly such anomalies are detected.

Unsecured Remote Access

With remote work now common, unsecured connections like open RDP ports are a major risk.

Solution:
Enforce VPN use and implement endpoint protection. Include remote access configurations in periodic security reviews and use threat emulation to assess the resilience of remote access policies.

Poor Network Segmentation

Without proper segmentation, attackers who breach one system can move laterally across the entire network.

Solution:
Use security reviews to map and audit network segmentation. Simulate lateral movement using threat emulation to validate the effectiveness of firewalls and VLANs.

Misconfigured Cloud Services

Misconfigurations in cloud environments can expose data publicly or enable unauthorised access.

Solution:
Incorporate cloud configuration checks into your security review framework. Threat emulation tools can test the defences of cloud-hosted applications and detect gaps.

IoT Device Vulnerabilities

Many Internet of Things (IoT) devices lack robust security controls.

Solution:
Use asset inventory tools to identify IoT devices and include them in your security reviews. Threat emulation can help determine how these devices might be exploited in an attack chain.

Lack of Incident Response Planning

Failing to plan for security incidents can turn a minor breach into a major crisis.

Solution:
Review and update your incident response plan regularly. Use threat emulation to simulate real-world attacks and evaluate your organisation’s response time and effectiveness.

Data Exfiltration

Sensitive data leaving the network undetected is a critical threat, especially in regulated industries.

Solution:
Implement data loss prevention (DLP) solutions. Conduct security reviews focused on outbound traffic and use threat emulation to test your detection capabilities against exfiltration tactics.

Final Thoughts

Network security isn’t a one-time project—it’s an ongoing process that requires diligence, awareness, and proactive tools. By incorporating security reviews and threat emulation into your cybersecurity strategy, you can not only detect and mitigate existing vulnerabilities but also stay prepared for emerging threats.

Regular assessments, combined with realistic simulations, provide a dynamic defence mechanism that adapts to the ever-evolving threat landscape. Don’t wait for a breach to expose your weaknesses—review, emulate, and strengthen your defences today.