Definition
Networking is the practice of connecting two or more devices to share data and resources. It involves establishing communication pathways, protocols, and infrastructure that allow systems to interact seamlessly. In practice, networking enables everything from simple file sharing between computers to complex cloud-based services. Understanding networking is crucial for designing secure and efficient IT systems, as it underpins how data flows and is protected. For instance, a company might set up a virtual private network VPN to allow remote employees secure access to internal resources. A common point of confusion is differentiating networking from network security, which focuses specifically on protecting these connections. This concept is fundamental across many IT certifications including CompTIA Security+, CISSP, and AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate.