As data continues to grow in value, it’s no surprise that it has become a top target for cybercriminals. Cyberattacks and data breaches are now among the most significant man-made threats, with studies from HBR showing they cost the global economy a staggering $1 trillion annually. Malaysia’s cyberattack case is one the most detrimental example.
Therefore, when it comes to protecting your business, the debate between network security and application security is critical. But which one is right for you? In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between network and application security, helping you understand why combining both might be the smartest way to safeguard your business.
What is Network Security?
Network security is the practice of protecting the assets within a company’s network, including devices, systems, and data, from external threats.
It involves implementing measures to safeguard your network perimeter, ensuring that valuable assets remain secure from cyberattacks and unauthorized access.
Traditionally, organizations have relied on a perimeter-based “castle and moat” approach. They used tools like next-generation firewalls (NGFW), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), VPNs and secure web gateways (SWG) at the connection point between their corporate network and the internet.
This setup was effective when most applications, users, and devices were on-site, providing clear visibility and control over incoming and outgoing traffic. However, this method faces challenges in today’s environment with dispersed networks and remote work setups.
Modern network security has evolved to protect users, applications, and devices wherever they are. As cloud computing, remote work, and mobile devices have become prevalent, the traditional network perimeter has faded. It employs features like encryption and segmentation to secure critical assets, along with internal traffic scanning to identify suspicious activities.
Advanced tools such as Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) and Secure Web Gateways (SWG) help block unauthorized access and manage web traffic, ensuring comprehensive security across a dispersed network environment.
What is Application Security?
Application security guards environments inside individual apps and public-facing applications, including APIs.
It looks for security threats to fix any misconfigurations, known vulnerabilities, and exploits used by hackers. In 2023, spending on application security was $7.1 billion, showing how important it is.
Application security involves identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in both development and production environments:
Vulnerabilities are often listed in the OWASP Top Ten and described by the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE). Each vulnerability is assigned a Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) code for tracking. Developers use tools like source code analysis and other DevSecOps solutions to find and fix issues before code is deployed.
In production, companies use web application firewalls (WAFs), cloud access security brokers (CASBs) and other tools to protect apps. These tools work with databases like CWE and the U.S. National Vulnerability Database (NVD), which provide updated info on code weaknesses and how to fix them. Additional security measures include network micro-segmentation and Identity Access Management (IAM) are to secure SaaS and web applications.
What Are The Differences Between Network and Application Security?
Network and application security both aim to protect digital assets, but they focus on different areas. By looking at the differences between network security vs application security based on scope, security solutions, threat approaches, and focus area. Now, we can see how these two areas work together to offer strong defense against cyber threats:
Scope
Network Security: Network security focuses on the entire network, including all the devices and systems connected to it. It’s about creating a secure environment for data to travel through, protecting everything from routers and switches to servers and endpoints.
Application Security: On the other hand, application security guards individual software at the applications level. It’s concerned with securing the app itself, making sure that the code is free from vulnerabilities and that the app can defend itself against attacks. Instead of covering a wide area, it focuses deeply on each application, ensuring that the software is robust and resistant to various types of cyber threats.
Security solutions
Network Security: Network security solutions are often hardware-based, involving devices like firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and intrusion prevention systems (IPS). These devices work together to monitor, filter, and block malicious traffic from entering the network. While software plays a role, the emphasis is on securing the physical and virtual components of the network infrastructure.
Application Security: In contrast, application security is primarily code-based. It involves practices like secure coding, code reviews, and the use of tools that scan for vulnerabilities in the software. Technologies such as web application firewalls (WAFs) and runtime application self-protection (RASP) are used to safeguard applications by directly addressing issues in the code and ensuring that the software behaves securely.
Threat Approach
Network Security: When it comes to threat detection, network security uses tools that monitor traffic patterns and look for unusual activities. Technologies like IDS and IPS are designed to detect and respond to threats by analyzing network traffic in real-time. The focus is on identifying suspicious behavior across the network and stopping threats before they can cause damage.
Application Security: Application security ensures the protection of endpoints where SaaS applications and network infrastructure intersect. It provides threat detection for web-facing applications, effectively blocking common exploits and malware agents. Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) tools play a critical role by guarding against unauthorized traffic between network infrastructure and SaaS assets, ensuring secure and controlled data flow.
Focus Area
Network Security: The primary focus of network security is on protecting data in transit. This means ensuring that data traveling across the network is secure from interception or tampering. Encryption, VPNs, and secure communication protocols such as WireGuard are key technologies used to protect data as it moves from one point to another within the network.
Application Security: Application security, meanwhile, often focuses on both data at rest and data in transit. This involves securing data stored within the application, such as databases, and ensuring that any data exchanged between the application and its users or other systems is encrypted and protected.
Here is the table to show the difference between network and application security:
| Network Security | Application Security | |
| Scope | Protects the entire network, including devices and systems like routers, switches, and servers. | Secures individual software applications, ensuring the code is safe from attacks. |
| Security Solutions | Uses hardware-based tools like firewalls, IDS, and IPS to monitor and block malicious traffic. | Uses code-based practices like secure coding, code reviews, and tools like WAFs and RASP to fix vulnerabilities. |
| Threat Approach | Monitors traffic patterns for unusual activities and stops threats in real-time using IDS and IPS. | Protects web-facing applications and endpoints, blocking exploits and malware, with tools like CASB. |
| Focus Area | Focuses on protecting data as it moves through the network with encryption, VPNs, and secure protocols. | Focuses on protecting data both stored (at rest) and moving (in transit) within applications. |
Which One is Better For Your Business: Network Security vs. Application Security?
Deciding between network security and application security isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. It really depends on the specific needs of your business.
If your primary concern is protecting the overall infrastructure—servers, routers, and devices—network security should be your focus. This approach helps to secure the pathways cybercriminals could use to access your data. Think of it as building strong walls around your business to keep the threats outside.
On the other hand, if your business relies heavily on web-based applications or software, application security may be the bigger priority. This option focuses on defending your individual apps and software against targeted attacks, such as malware or unauthorized access. It’s like putting locks on every door inside the building, so even if someone gets through your network, they can’t easily infiltrate your apps.
The Best Choice? Combining Network and Application Security!
The truth is, the best protection often comes from using both. Network security defends the perimeter, while application security safeguards the entry points within. Here’s why this integration is best for your business:
Create a Stronger Cybersecurity Posture
Combine network security and application security to cover all bases. Network security protects on-premises and distributed networks. Application security protects web-facing cloud assets, like SaaS tools (e.g., Zoom, SalesForce).
Combining network and application security gives strong defense. It makes it harder for attackers to find weak points. Studies by Flexia confirm that 3 out of 4 data breaches worldwide are now related to web applications. Most attacks target web apps. Strong defenses in both areas reduce risks significantly.
Protect Whole Business-Critical Assets
Web applications are vital assets for businesses today. In fact, 94% of enterprises already use at least one web platform. Protecting them is essential, whether you have a complex network or a newer business focused on web applications.
Network security protects your entire network, including devices, systems, routers, servers, and endpoints. Application security focuses on cloud interfaces. Combining both security measures ensures complete protection for all operations.
Bottom line
In today’s digital world, cyber threats evolve quickly. Using both network and application security is the best strategy for full protection. Application security is crucial for cloud use, while network security is essential for in-house networks. Combining both ensures comprehensive protection for your business.
