One  view of network security is "acces denied." Although this view is a good way of thinking about how to connect your computers to the Internet, you can, and possibly should, view Intranet security from a more positive way. Properly set up, Intranet security can be an enabler, enriching your Intranet with services and resources you would not be able to otherwise provide. Such an overall security policy might be described as "is permitted."

This review takes the latter approach, presenting Intranet security in terms of its opportunities for adding value to your Intranet.Some of your customers may have information they'd like to make available, confidential management or financial information, for example, provided that access to it can be limited to a specified group. Without the ability to ensure that only those who have the right to see such information will have access, the custodians of such data will not be willing to put it on an Intranet. Providing security increases your organization's ability to use the important collaborative aspects of an Intranet.

The more defensive approach, preventing abuse of your Intranet, should also be considered.  Businesses in which confidentiality and discretion is the norm in handling proprietary information and corporate intellectual property have different needs than a college or university, for example. Academic institutions generally tilt toward making the free exchange of ideas a primary interest. At the same time, though, the curiosity (to use a polite word) of undergraduates imposes strong needs for security. Keeping prying sophomores out of university administration computing resources is a high priority.  

Before learning about how you can use security to enhance your Intranet, you must know what security features are available to use it. These features break down into three main categories. First, you can take steps in your Web server software to set up security. Second, you can take steps with the other TCP/IP network you've set up on your Intranet to enhance their security. Third, you can secure Windows 2000 or NT Server as a network operating system  

Another feature worthy of brief mention is that some Mosaic browsers allow you to secure the browser to limit what the customers can do with them.