Cyber threats are becoming more complex – and your network may be more exposed than you think. Whether it’s a misconfigured device, an unpatched system, or a sophisticated phishing scheme, modern network security vulnerabilities can open the door to devastating breaches, outages, or data loss.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the most critical network security threats and vulnerabilities today’s businesses face and what you can do to stay protected.
What Are Network Security Threats?
A network security threat is any actor or tactic that attempts to access, damage, or disrupt your IT infrastructure. They can come from external hackers, internal users, or even automated tools – and as technology grows more connected, these threats are also becoming more sophisticated.
What Are Network Vulnerabilities?
A network vulnerability is a weakness in your IT infrastructure that a threat could potentially exploit. It might be software that hasn’t been updated, an open port that doesn’t need to be open, or a misused admin credential. These vulnerabilities build up over time, especially in environments where network changes happen often and security oversight is limited.
Why Do Network Security Issues Persist?
Despite advances in cybersecurity, many organizations still struggle with persistent network security issues. Some of the most common reasons include:
- A growing attack surface fueled by cloud and remote work
- Limited in-house cybersecurity expertise
- Legacy systems and outdated security tools
- Lack of visibility into the full network environment
- Inconsistent policy enforcement across all departments and locations
Luckily, understanding the threats and vulnerabilities your business may face is the first step toward building a stronger security posture.
Top 5 Network Security Threats
Let’s take a look at the leading network security threats targeting businesses today:
1. Malware and Ransomware
Malware, such as spyware, keyloggers, and ransomware, continues to be one of the biggest threats to business networks. In a 2025 survey, 73% of CISOs revealed that a successful ransomware attack could incapacitate their business.1
These attacks are so damaging because, once deployed, malware can steal sensitive data, encrypt files, or create a backdoor for future access. Attackers often deliver malware through a phishing email or compromised website, and it can spread quickly if not detected early.
2. Phishing and Social Engineering
The World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 found that 42% of organizations reported a social engineering or phishing attack last year.2 These attacks trick users into giving up confidential information or credentials by posing as legitimate communications, typically in the form of fake emails from a vendor, password reset notices, or text messages.
Social engineering attacks are easy for cybercriminals to launch and difficult to catch with traditional security tools. Because phishing exploits human behavior rather than technical flaws, employee training and email filtering are essential lines of defense.
3. MitM Attacks
In a man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack, a hacker intercepts communication between two endpoints – often to eavesdrop or alter data in transit. Common targets include:
- Remote workers connecting via public Wi-Fi
- Unsecured web applications
- Unencrypted VPN or DNS traffic
MitM attacks highlight the need for encrypted connections and secure tunneling protocols.
4. DDoS Attacks
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks flood your network with traffic from botnets, causing slowdowns or total outages. Cybercriminals can use DDoS attacks to disrupt customer-facing services or overwhelm security tools like firewalls and routers, and in some cases, as a distraction to hide other malicious activity.
Guarding against these threats requires edge-based protection and scalable bandwidth that can absorb surges in traffic.
5. Insider Threats
Not all threats come from outside attackers. In fact, 95% of all data breaches are caused by human error.3 Employees or vendors can accidentally or maliciously introduce risk by downloading unauthorized tools, misusing admin credentials, or sharing passwords – all of which typically bypass traditional perimeter defenses.
Monitoring user behavior and enforcing least-privilege access can reduce your exposure to these threats.
Top 5 Network Security Vulnerabilities
Ready to build an effective defense against the top threats? First, you’ll need to identify and address these network vulnerabilities that could be lurking in your environment:
1. Unpatched Systems and Applications
Ignoring security patches can leave the door open for attackers, especially considering that a new software vulnerability is published every 17 minutes.4 Without regular updates, your systems remain vulnerable to attacks that have already been publicly documented.
2. Misconfigured Network Devices
Routers, firewalls, and switches can become weak points if not configured correctly. Failing to change default settings, turning on unnecessary services, or exposing remote access ports creates easy entry points for attackers. Maintain a secure configuration baseline and regularly audit these devices to keep your environment secure.
3. Lack of Network Segmentation
Unsegmented networks allow attackers to move laterally once they’ve breached the perimeter. By separating traffic by function or department, you limit the impact of a breach by keeping it contained to a smaller portion of your environment.
4. Insecure Remote Access
Remote work is now a standard part of business, but it brings added risk if remote access isn’t properly managed. Traditional VPNs or RDP setups can’t protect your network when users share credentials, skip multi-factor authentication, or use outdated clients. However, solutions like Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) offer more granular control over access and better protection for remote users.
5. Weak Access Controls
Giving users more network access than they need can quickly lead to problems. A 2025 report revealed that 34% of data breach incidents resulted from granting a third party – such as a vendor or partner – too much privileged access.5 Regularly reviewing user roles and permissions can help enforce least-privilege access and reduce the likelihood of accidental and intentional misuse.
How Does SASE Address Network Security Threats?
Modern network architectures like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) help address common network security vulnerabilities by integrating security into the network infrastructure itself.
The SASE model provides built-in protection across multiple threat vectors, including URL filtering, intrusion prevention, malware detection, and identity-aware access controls. With SASE, businesses get an agile, scalable solution to managing security across every location, user, and device – without sacrificing performance or visibility.
Tips for Reducing Network Security Issues
Reducing your exposure to network security threats doesn’t happen overnight, but small steps add up. Here are a few ways to strengthen your organization’s security posture:
- Run Network Vulnerability Scans: Discover misconfigurations and outdated software before attackers do.
- Patch Systems Consistently: Apply security updates promptly for all endpoints and network devices.
- Implement Least-Privilege Access: Ensure users have access only to what they need to do their jobs.
- Segment Your Network: Limit lateral movement with VLANs or microsegmentation.
- Adopt Next-Gen Security Tools: NGFWs, SASE, and managed SOC services give you deeper control.
With the right strategy and support in place, it’s easier to stay ahead of threats and keep your business protected.
Stay Ahead of Network Security Threats With Aseva
Network security isn’t something you can set and forget. As threats evolve, so should your defenses. Taking a proactive approach to strengthening your security posture can make a big difference in how effectively your organization prevents and responds to attacks.
At Aseva, we’ve helped businesses like yours protect their sensitive data for nearly three decades – so we know your cybersecurity options inside out. Whether you need help navigating compliance, securing cloud environments, or implementing Zero Trust, our team simplifies the process with expert guidance and hands-on support.
Reach out today to get started.
Sources:
- https://www.itpro.com/security/ransomware/ransomware-attacks-carry-huge-financial-impacts-but-ciso-worries-still-arent-stopping-firms-from-paying-out
- https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Cybersecurity_Outlook_2025.pdf
- https://www.mimecast.com/resources/ebooks/state-of-human-risk-2025
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240626146201/en/Skybox-Security-Report-Reveals-Over-30000-New-Vulnerabilities-Published-in-Past-Year
- https://www.imprivata.com/company/press/imprivata-study-finds-nearly-half-organizations-suffered-third-party-security
