Network security is designed to prevent and defend against what types of threats?

Network security primarily focuses on protecting information and systems from cyberattacks, which can come in various forms, including malware, phishing, denial-of-service attacks, and unauthorized access. This approach is essential in safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring the integrity and availability of networked resources. Cybersecurity measures involve implementing firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption, and other protocols to defend against malicious activities that target networks and data.

While physical attacks, natural disasters, and credential theft are indeed threats that can impact organizations, they are typically addressed through different strategies or disciplines. For example, physical attacks are mitigated through physical security measures, while credential theft is often tackled through identity and access management protocols. Natural disasters fall under disaster recovery planning and risk management contexts.

By focusing specifically on cyberattacks, this option highlights the central theme of network security, which is to safeguard digital assets from virtual threats in an increasingly interconnected and hostile landscape.