METHODS AND TOOLS FOR ENSURING THE SECURITY OF DEVICES AND STORED INFORMATION IN A LOCAL AREA NETWORK

Information security has become one of the most critical issues in modern information technology systems. With the rapid development of computer networks, especially local area networks (LANs), the protection of devices and the information stored on them has become increasingly important. Educational institutions, business organizations, and government agencies rely heavily on LAN infrastructures to store, process, and transmit sensitive information. However, these networks are vulnerable to various security threats such as unauthorized access, malware, data leakage, and internal misuse. The purpose of this article is to analyze the main methods and tools used to ensure the security of devices and stored information within a local area network. The study examines both technical and organizational security mechanisms, including authentication systems, encryption technologies, firewall protection, antivirus software, network monitoring systems, and access control policies. The results show that effective LAN security requires a combination of multiple protective mechanisms rather than reliance on a single method. The integration of modern security technologies with proper network management and user awareness can significantly reduce risks associated with cyber threats. The article concludes that developing a comprehensive security strategy is essential for maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information within LAN environments.