What are Network Security Protocols?

The Internet Security Protocols provide the backbone of safe online communication, playing a key role in protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access, manipulation, and theft.

Companies with outdated security protocols face 2.5x times higher breach costs than those with modernized systems.

The goal of this article is to help you understand security protocols in networking and the 7 types of network security protocols. You can also learn more about these internet security protocols in our Online Network Security Courses.

What is a Security Protocol?

A security protocol is a collection of guidelines that protects the authenticity, confidentiality, and integrity of the data being transferred across a network. These protocols guard against cyber threats like unwanted access, manipulation, and destruction. 

A security protocol typically utilizes block-based ciphers in combination with symmetric session keys, which are securely negotiated using asymmetric cryptographic methods, eliminating the need for pre-shared keys. However, while cryptographic protocols are effective in protecting data, they do not address the issue of availability.  

To defend against denial-of-service (DoS) attacks and ensure continuous access to network resources, additional mechanisms and protective infrastructure must be integrated into network systems.

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Types of Internet Security Protocols 

Internet security protocols operate across four categories:

1. Access Control: These protocols verify user identities to ensure that only authorized users can access certain resources. For example, Kerberos and OAuth.

2. Encryption Protocols: These protocols protect data by converting it into a secure format that can only be read by authorized parties. For example, TLS/SSL and IPsec.

3. Key Management: These protocols manage encryption keys to ensure they are stored and distributed securely. For example, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Diffie-Hellman.

4. Message Integrity: These protocols ensure that messages are not tampered with during transmission. For example, HMAC (Hash-Based Message Authentication Code) and Digital Signatures.

These layered protocols work together to ensure data confidentiality, accessibility, and integrity.

Top 7 Network Security Protocols

Network security protocols are critical for protecting online activities such as web browsing, emailing, and virtual private network (VPN) usage.

The 7 important internet security protocols and their applications are explained below.

1. TLS/SSL (Transport Layer Security / Secure Sockets Layer) 

TLS and its predecessor, SSL, are cryptographic protocols designed to provide secure communication over a computer network. They are most commonly used in web browsers and applications that require data to be securely exchanged over the internet.  

TLS ensures confidentiality by encrypting data, integrity by hashing messages to prevent tampering, and authentication through digital certificates that verify the identities of parties involved. SSL is now deprecated in favor of TLS due to security vulnerabilities. 

Read About Data Encryption

2. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) 

HTTPS is an extension of HTTP that uses TLS to encrypt the data transmitted between a user's browser and the web server. It helps protect sensitive information like passwords, payment details, and personal data from eavesdropping or interception.

HTTPS ensures encryption to protect data from man-in-the-middle attacks, server authentication to verify that the website is legitimate, and data integrity to prevent content from being modified in transit. 

3. SMTP with STARTTLS (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol + STARTTLS Extension) 

SMTP is the standard protocol for sending emails, and STARTTLS is an extension that upgrades a plain-text connection to an encrypted one using TLS. It enhances the security of email transmission by encrypting messages between mail servers.  

STARTTLS prevents eavesdropping by encrypting email content during transit, offers backward compatibility by falling back to plain SMTP if encryption isn't supported (though this is discouraged), and authenticates mail servers to help prevent spoofing and email tampering. 

4. OpenVPN 

OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol that uses SSL/TLS for key exchange and can encrypt data using up to 256-bit encryption standards. It supports a wide range of encryption algorithms and is known for its flexibility and robust security.  

OpenVPN is highly configurable, can operate over TCP or UDP ports, uses the OpenSSL library to support various cryptographic algorithms, and offers authentication options including pre-shared keys, username/password, or certificates. 

Read About TCP Ports

5. IKEv2/IPSec (Internet Key Exchange Version 2) 

IKEv2 is a tunneling protocol often paired with IPSec to create secure VPN connections. It establishes and maintains security associations and supports mobility and multi-homing features. 

 IKEv2 is fast and stable, quickly reconnecting when internet connections drop, provides security through mutual authentication and high encryption levels, and supports mobility, making it ideal for mobile users switching between networks. 

6. L2TP/IPSec (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol + Internet Protocol Security) 

L2TP by itself does not provide encryption but is often combined with IPSec to add a layer of security. IPSec handles the encryption and authentication, making L2TP/IPSec a strong VPN solution. 

 L2TP encapsulates the data, while IPSec encrypts it, adding an extra layer of security through double encapsulation, and is widely supported, being built into most modern operating systems. 

7. DNS over HTTPS (DoH) 

DNS over HTTPS encrypts DNS queries by sending them over HTTPS, preventing third parties from viewing what websites a user is trying to access. It protects against DNS spoofing by ensuring the authenticity of DNS responses. 

It also improves privacy by preventing ISPs and other intermediaries from logging DNS queries, and it works over port 443, making it difficult to block. DoH is integrated into modern web browsers like Firefox and Chrome to enhance user privacy and security on the internet. 

Learn about Domain Name System(DNS)

Advantages of Network Security Protocols 

Security protocols offer several benefits: 

● Ensures only authorized users can access data. 

● Prevents unauthorized alterations during transmission. 

● Confirms user or device identity. 

● Prevents denial of actions performed. 

● Boosts user and client confidence in secure systems.

Challenges and Solutions for Implementing IT Security Protocols 

Implementing security protocols is essential, but it comes with challenges: 

Future of Security Protocols in Cybersecurity 

Emerging trends in cybersecurity include quantum-resistant cryptography, which aims to protect data against the anticipated capabilities of quantum computing. Zero Trust Architecture is gaining traction by enforcing strict, continuous identity verification and minimizing implicit trust across networks. 

Mastercard's Decision Intelligence system analyzes up to 160 billion transactions annually, identifying potentially fraudulent activities within 50 milliseconds. Additionally, the implementation of end-to-end encryption in IoT devices and mobile applications is enhancing data privacy across increasingly connected ecosystems 

 Meanwhile, blockchain-based authentication protocols are introducing decentralized and tamper-resistant methods for verifying identity and securing transactions. Together, these innovations are shaping the future of cybersecurity and laying the foundation for more resilient digital defenses. 

Conclusion 

Security protocols are indispensable tools in defending digital assets against a growing array of cyber threats. From securing online transactions to protecting enterprise networks, these protocols ensure that data remains confidential, authentic, and tamper-proof.

As technology advances, organizations must continuously adapt, update, and innovate their security protocols to stay ahead of evolving threats in the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity.