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Networking is the connection of computers and other devices so they can communicate and share resources. It is also a foundation of cybersecurity: understanding how information moves helps explain where security policies can inspect, allow, or block communication. A network is not secure simply because it has a firewall; protection depends on multiple controls and the services they safeguard.
What is a computer network?
A computer network is a group of connected devices that exchange data or share resources, such as files, printers, applications, or an internet connection. A home Wi-Fi network and a company network are examples. The Internet is a much larger example: a global collection of interconnected networks.
Devices communicate using agreed rules called protocols. Network equipment provides paths for that communication, while protocols define such things as how devices are addressed and how data is exchanged.
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What do switches, routers, and access points do?
| Device | Where it operates | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Switch | Within a local network | Connects devices such as computers, printers, and servers so they can communicate on that network. |
| Router | Between separate networks | Forwards data toward its destination across networks. A home router commonly connects a home network to an internet connection; capabilities vary by device. |
| Wireless access point | Provides wireless access to a network | Lets wireless devices connect to the network without a cable. |
These roles are distinct even when a single home device combines them. Cisco’s computer networking overview describes the foundational functions of switches, routers, and wireless access points.
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How does data travel across a network?
Consider opening a website. Your device needs a network connection; network equipment provides a path; and several protocols contribute different functions. IP addresses identify endpoints as data is sent across interconnected networks. TCP can provide a connection between hosts and deliver data as an ordered stream. DNS translates the site’s human-readable domain name into an IP address so the device can locate the service.
These components are not interchangeable: DNS helps resolve names, IP handles addressing and packet transmission, and TCP supports host-to-host data exchange. NIST’s Internet Protocol and Transmission Control Protocol glossary entries describe those protocol roles.
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Why is networking important to cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity controls operate on devices, services, and communication paths. Knowing which systems need to communicate—and how—helps defenders set policy, recognize unexpected traffic, and investigate connectivity problems or suspicious activity.
Firewalls control traffic across security boundaries
A firewall is a device or program that controls traffic between networks or hosts with different security postures. A firewall can enforce rules about which communications are permitted, but it is one measure within a broader security approach, not a guarantee that a network is safe. NIST’s firewall definition describes this traffic-control role.
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DNS is a security-relevant service
DNS is essential to finding network services by name, so its integrity, availability, and confidentiality matter. NIST’s SP 800-81 Rev. 3, Secure Domain Name System (DNS) Deployment Guide, published in March 2026, discusses authoritative and recursive DNS, DNSSEC, and protection of client-query confidentiality. The publication page notes a July 2026 errata planning note; consult it for any later errata before relying on detailed operational guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How can a beginner learn networking for cybersecurity?
Start with the parts that explain what communicates, where data goes, and what the protocols contribute. CISA’s defensive cybersecurity learning outcomes include networking fundamentals, TCP/IP, the OSI model, network topologies, packet analysis, traffic analysis, and basic troubleshooting.
- Learn the fundamentals. Identify common network devices and understand the difference between a local network and communication between networks.
- Study protocols and addressing. Build a working understanding of TCP/IP, IP addressing, and DNS before trying to interpret complex traffic.
- Learn to inspect traffic. Wireshark’s official documentation and learning resources can help you study packet-level analysis and troubleshooting.
- Practice troubleshooting. Work through how to distinguish a name-resolution problem from a connectivity issue or a service that is not responding.
For a more structured course of study, Pearson describes Introduction to Networks Companion Guide (CCNAv7) as supplemental text for Cisco Networking Academy’s Introduction to Networks course. It covers architecture, protocols, components, IP addressing, Ethernet, and network security; it is an optional resource, not a prerequisite for learning the basics.
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