Network Security

What it is

The practice of protecting networks, protocols, and the systems on them — secure channels (TLS), authentication, web security, and defenses against attacks like interception, phishing, and malware.

Why it matters — security & society

Most people meet cryptography through network security: it’s what keeps a login, a payment, or a hospital’s systems from being hijacked. Sound network-security fundamentals protect critical infrastructure and ordinary users alike, and translate abstract crypto guarantees into systems that actually hold up in the wild.

Books

• CRYPTOGRAPHY AND NETWORK SECURITY - PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE - Stallings.
• Security Engineering - Anderson. Also here.

Lecture Notes

• Stanford - Computer & Network Security (course)