What is a key factor to consider in the design of secure networks?

Access control and user permissions are fundamental components in the design of secure networks because they dictate who can access specific resources and what actions they can perform. Implementing robust access control measures ensures that only authorized users can interact with sensitive data and systems, thus reducing the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and insider threats.

In a secure network environment, the principle of least privilege is usually applied, meaning users should only have access to the information and resources necessary for their roles. This helps mitigate the impact of compromised accounts and enforces accountability through comprehensive logging and monitoring of access activities.

While other factors, such as maximizing bandwidth utilization, streamlining hardware compatibility, and considering the geographical distribution of resources, are important for overall network performance and architecture, they do not directly address the core objective of securing the network against unauthorized access and potential attacks. The focus on access control and user permissions emphasizes risk management as a critical aspect of security planning.