What is Network Security? | IBM Mesh Flinders Staff Writer IBM Think Ian Smalley Staff Editor IBM Think What is network security? Network security is a field of cybersecurity that’s focused on protecting computer networks and communication systems from internal and external cyberthreats and cyberattacks. Today, computer networks form the backbone of most modern enterprises, from employee communication and collaboration tools to complex applications (apps), cloud-native business operations, and even global infrastructure. Modern networks and the tools and solutions that keep them safe, are critical to the success of some of the largest and most successful companies in the world. According to a recent report, the global market for network security solutions is substantial and growing at a healthy rate. In 2024, it was worth USD 24 billion and is expected to continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14% to reach USD 73 billion by 2032.1 What is a computer network? Computer networks, or just networks, are systems of interconnected devices that communicate with each other, share data and exchange resources. Devices connected through a network use various connections, including Ethernet, wireless (wifi) and cellular. After establishing a connection, they must follow a set of rules known as communication protocols that govern how they exchange data. Common devices used in computer networking include desktops, mobile devices and routers. Today, computer networks underpin almost every aspect of daily life, from empowering the mobile workforce to underpinning social networks and powering the global financial system. When they are breached, it is expensive.  According to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025, the global average cost of a data breach was USD 4.44 million last year.  What is cloud computing? Like all other aspects of IT infrastructure, cloud computing has fundamentally changed networks. It replaces hardware-based, on-premises network infrastructure with virtualized, on-demand compute resources delivered over the internet. Until the early 2000s, enterprises favored on-premises IT infrastructure, hardware and software that could be kept in a facility the company owned and operated. But the benefits of the cloud, particularly its enhanced scalability, flexibility and potential for cost-savings, brought about a dramatic shift. Today, over 60% of business data is stored in the cloud and the global cloud computing market is worth almost a trillion dollars.2 Would your team catch the next zero-day in time? Join security leaders who rely on the Think Newsletter for curated news on AI, cybersecurity, data and automation. Learn fast from expert tutorials and explainers—delivered directly to your inbox twice weekly. See the IBM Privacy Statement.