Lesson 08 - Case Study Assignment

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Palm Beach State College *

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1712

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Computer Science

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Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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Network Security and Passwords Claudia Mesa Palm Beach State Collage CNT 4220 1 Business Data Communications, Telecommunications/network Dwight Elliott March 15, 2024
Network Security and Passwords Password-based authentication systems have been the cornerstone of digital security for decades, offering several advantages: Advantages: 1. Familiarity : Passwords are widely understood and easy for users to grasp, reducing the learning curve for accessing various services. 2. Low Cost : Implementing password-based systems typically requires minimal investment as it leverages existing infrastructure. 3. Customization : Users can choose passwords according to their preferences, adding a personal touch to their security. 4. Scalability : Password systems can scale with user growth relatively easily without significant overhead. However, despite their ubiquity, password-based authentication systems suffer from several weaknesses: Weaknesses: 1. Password Reuse : Users tend to reuse passwords across multiple accounts, increasing the risk of a single compromised password leading to multiple security breaches. 2. Weak Passwords : Users often choose weak passwords that are easy to guess or crack, further exacerbating security vulnerabilities. 3. Phishing and Social Engineering : Attackers can exploit human fallibility through phishing attacks and social engineering to trick users into divulging their passwords. 4. Brute Force Attacks : Automated tools can be employed to systematically guess passwords, particularly when weak password policies are in place. Considering the drawbacks associated with password-based systems, it's prudent to explore alternative authentication methods: Alternative Recommendation: One recommended alternative to password-based authentication is multi-factor authentication (MFA) . MFA combines two or more independent credentials: something the user knows (like a password), something the user has (like a smartphone), or something the user is (like a fingerprint). By requiring multiple forms of verification, MFA significantly enhances security by mitigating the risks associated with single-factor authentication. Moreover, within MFA, employing biometric authentication (such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scans) can offer a seamless and secure user experience while reducing reliance on easily guessable passwords. Biometric data is unique to each individual, making it significantly harder for attackers to replicate compared to passwords.
In conclusion, while password-based authentication systems offer familiarity and ease of implementation, they are plagued by inherent weaknesses that can compromise security. Therefore, I would recommend implementing alternative authentication methods, such as MFA with biometric authentication, to enhance network security and mitigate the risks associated with relying solely on passwords.
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