In security ratings, a "Network Security" rating refers to assessing or evaluating the overall security posture and effectiveness of security measures implemented within a computer network. It evaluates the protective measures, controls, and practices to safeguard the network infrastructure, data, and communication channels from unauthorized access, vulnerabilities, and cyber threats.

The Network Security rating considers various factors related to network security, including implementing firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), network segmentation, access controls, encryption protocols, network monitoring, incident response capabilities, and adherence to industry best practices and standards.

The Network Security rating is a critical aspect of security ratings as the network serves as a crucial foundation for data communication and information exchange. Effective network security measures are essential to protect against various threats and ensure data and network resources' confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

By evaluating the Network Security rating, organizations can gain insights into the effectiveness of their network security controls, identify potential vulnerabilities or gaps, and make informed decisions to enhance the security and resilience of their network infrastructure. It helps organizations assess the overall security posture of their network and take proactive steps to mitigate risks and safeguard critical assets.

ThreatNG Security Ratings incorporate intelligence substantiated with external attack surface management and digital risk protection capabilities, including discovery and assessment of Domain Intelligence and Dark Web Presence modules, as well as deeper inspection for susceptibility to Breach and Ransomware, which can provide more fidelity and validity to a Network Security rating in the following ways:

Comprehensive Visibility: The solution gains comprehensive visibility into an organization's network infrastructure by integrating external attack surface management and digital risk protection capabilities. It identifies and assesses the attack surface, including network devices, systems, and IP addresses. This comprehensive visibility ensures the Network Security rating covers all relevant components, leading to a more accurate and valid assessment.

Domain Intelligence and Dark Web Presence Monitoring: The inclusion of discovery and assessment Domain Intelligence and Dark Web Presence modules allows the solution to gather intelligence about an organization's domains and associated network infrastructure. The solution can identify potential vulnerabilities or exposures by monitoring the dark web for discussions or activities related to the organization's network assets. Incorporating this intelligence enhances the fidelity and validity of the Network Security rating by considering external threats and potential risks.

Deeper Inspection for Breach and Ransomware Susceptibility: The security ratings solution should include deeper inspection capabilities to assess an organization's susceptibility to breaches and ransomware attacks. The solution can identify vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, or weaknesses in network devices and configurations by conducting detailed inspections and assessments. This deeper inspection aligns the Network Security rating with the specific risks associated with breaches and ransomware, enhancing its accuracy and validity.

Proactive Risk Mitigation: By leveraging external attack surface management and digital risk protection capabilities, the solution helps organizations identify potential weaknesses or exposures in their network security. This information allows organizations to proactively mitigate risks, such as patching vulnerabilities, updating configurations, or enhancing security controls. The solution's capabilities enable organizations to address network security gaps, leading to a more secure and robust network infrastructure and increasing the fidelity and validity of the Network Security rating.

Threat Intelligence: By leveraging intelligence from external sources, such as Domain Intelligence and Dark Web Presence monitoring, the security ratings solution can provide real-time insights into emerging threats and vulnerabilities that could impact network security. This up-to-date threat intelligence enhances the accuracy and validity of the Network Security rating by considering the evolving threat landscape and providing organizations with timely information to enhance their security defenses.

Combining these capabilities, the security ratings solution offers a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of Network Security. It enables organizations to understand their network infrastructure's potential risks and vulnerabilities, prioritize their security efforts, and proactively enhance their network security posture. This increased fidelity and validity of the Network Security rating help organizations make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and strengthen their security defenses.