Network segregation

Date and country of first publication

2009
United States

Definition

Network segregation is the practice of dividing a network into smaller, separate networks, known as segments or subnets. This is typically done for security, performance, or operational reasons.

The main goals of network segregation are to:

1. Enhance Security: By dividing a network into smaller segments, it is easier to control and monitor network traffic. This limits the potential for unauthorized access, mitigates the spread of malware or cyber attacks to other parts of the network, and simplifies security management by reducing attack surfaces.

2. Improve Performance: Network segregation allows for better network traffic management, as it enables network administrators to prioritize and allocate resources to specific segments. This enhances overall network performance by preventing bandwidth congestion and optimizing network utilization.

3. Enable Compliance: Certain regulations or industry standards may require organizations to maintain segmented networks to protect sensitive data. Network segregation allows organizations to isolate critical systems and safeguard data privacy and integrity.

There are several ways to implement network segregation:

1. Physical Segregation: Physical separation of network segments involves using separate physical devices, such as routers and switches, to create distinct networks. This requires dedicated network infrastructure for each segment, which can be costly and complex.

2. VLAN Segregation: Virtual LAN (VLAN) segregation involves logically separating network traffic by assigning different VLAN tags to different groups of devices. VLANs provide a cost-effective way to segregate traffic without requiring separate physical network infrastructure.

3. Network Access Control: Network access control (NAC) solutions can be used to authenticate and authorize network users and devices. By implementing user and device-based policies, NAC can enforce network segregation by granting or denying access to specific segments based on predefined rules.

Overall, network segregation is an essential practice to enhance network security, improve performance, and meet compliance requirements by effectively managing network traffic and segregating resources.

Synonyms

The following terms are synonymous with network segregation:

network level segregation; social network segregation.

References and literature addressing this segregation form under these synonymous terms can be found below.

Related segregation forms

Network segregation is frequently discussed in the literature with the following segregation forms:

social segregation, labor market segregation, friendship segregation, group segregation, residential segregation, class segregation

This visualization is based on the study The Multidisciplinary Landscape of Segregation Research.

For the complete network of interrelated segregation forms, please refer to:

• First year of publication

• Louvain clusters

• Betweenness centrality

• Disciplines in which segregation forms first emerged (Scopus database).

Notes

At its current state, this definition has been generated by a Large Language Model (LLM) so far without review by an independent researcher or a member of the curating team of segregation experts that keep the Segregation Wiki online. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its reliability, completeness and timeliness. Please use this content with caution and verify information as needed. Also, feel free to improve on the definition as you see fit, including the use of references and other informational resources. We value your input in enhancing the quality and accuracy of the definitions of segregation forms collectively offered in the Segregation Wiki ©.

Network segregation appears in the following literature

Barr T. (2009). With friends like these: Endogenous labor market segregation with homogeneous, nonprejudiced agents. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 68(3), 703-746. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1536-7150.2009.00647.x

McClintock E.A. (201). When does race matter? Race, sex, and dating at an elite university. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(1), 45-72. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2009.00683.x

Henry A.D. (2011). Belief oriented segregation in policy networks. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 22(), 14-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.07.052

Ueno K., Wright E.R., Gayman M.D., Mccabe J.M. (2012). Segregation in gay, lesbian and bisexual youth's personal networks: Testing structural constraint, choice homophily and compartmentalization hypotheses. Social Forces, 90(3), 971-991. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/sor022

Ueno K., Wright E.R., Gayman M.D., Mccabe J.M. (2012). Segregation in gay, lesbian and bisexual youth's personal networks: Testing structural constraint, choice homophily and compartmentalization hypotheses. Social Forces, 90(3), 971-991. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/sor022

Toomet O., Der Leij M.V., Rolfe M. (2013). Social networks and labor market inequality between ethnicities and races. Network Science, 1(3), 321-352. https://doi.org/10.1017/nws.2013.20

Gavanas A. (2013). Migrant domestic workers, social network strategies and informal markets for domestic services in Sweden. Women's Studies International Forum, 36(), 54-64. Elsevier Ltd.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2012.08.004

Kim H.J., Im K., Kwon H., Lee J.M., Ye B.S., Kim Y.J., Cho H., Choe Y.S., Lee K.H., Kim S.T., Kim J.S., Lee J.H., Na D.L., Seo S.W. (2015). Effects of amyloid and small vessel disease on white matter network disruption. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 44(3), 963-975. IOS Press.https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-141623

Krause A.L., Borchardt V., Li M., Van Tol M.-J., Demenescu L.R., Strauss B., Kirchmann H., Buchheim A., Metzger C.D., Nolte T., Walter M. (2016). Dismissing attachment characteristics dynamically modulate brain networks subserving social aversion. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 10(MAR2016), -. Frontiers Media S. A.https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2016.00077

Henry A.D., Mitsche D., PraŁat P. (2016). Homophily, influence and the decay of segregation in self organizing networks. Network Science, 4(1), 81-116. Cambridge University Press.https://doi.org/10.1017/nws.2016.1

Williams R. (2016). Arming Organizations to Detect and Respond to Stealthy APTS. EDPACS, 53(5), 7-13. Bellwether Publishing, Ltd..https://doi.org/10.1080/07366981.2016.1160716

Tambuscio M., Oliveira D.F.M., Ciampaglia G.L., Ruffo G. (2018). Network segregation in a model of misinformation and fact checking. Journal of Computational Social Science, 1(2), 261-275. Springer.https://doi.org/10.1007/s42001-018-0018-9

Leszczensky L., Stark T.H. (2019). Understanding the causes and consequences of segregation in youth’s friendship networks: Opportunities and challenges for research. Youth in Superdiverse Societies: Growing up with globalization, diversity, and acculturation, 233-248. Taylor and Francis.https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351040266-18

Li C., Xia L., Ma J., Li S., Liang S., Ma X., Wang T., Li M., Wen H., Jiang G. (2019). Dynamic functional abnormalities in generalized anxiety disorders and their increased network segregation of a hyperarousal brain state modulated by insomnia. Journal of Affective Disorders, 246(), 338-345. Elsevier B.V..https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.12.079

Zhu H., Li Y., Yuan M., Ren Z., Yuan C., Meng Y., Wang J., Deng W., Qiu C., Huang X., Gong Q., Lui S., Zhang W. (2019). Increased functional segregation of brain network associated with symptomatology and sustained attention in chronic post traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 247(), 183-191. Elsevier B.V..https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.01.012

O'Rawe J.F., Huang A.S., Klein D.N., Leung H.-C. (2019). Posterior parietal influences on visual network specialization during development: An fMRI study of functional connectivity in children ages 9 to 12. Neuropsychologia, 127(), 158-170. Elsevier Ltd.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2019.03.001

Melamed D., Munn C.W., Simpson B., Abernathy J.Z., Harrell A., Sweitzer M. (202). Homophily and segregation in cooperative networks. American Journal of Sociology, 125(4), 1084-1127. University of Chicago Press.https://doi.org/10.1086/708142

Windzio M. (202). The “Social Brain,” Reciprocity, and Social Network Segregation along Ethnic Boundaries. Human Nature, 31(4), 443-461. Springer.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12110-020-09382-5

Dasaratha K. (202). Distributions of centrality on networks. Games and Economic Behavior, 122(), 1-27. Academic Press Inc..https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geb.2020.03.008

Schurz M., Maliske L., Kanske P. (202). Cross network interactions in social cognition: A review of findings on task related brain activation and connectivity. Cortex, 130(), 142-157. Masson SpA.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2020.05.006

Henry A.D. (202). Meeting the challenge of learning for sustainability through policy networks. Human Ecology Review, 26(2), 171-193. Society for Human Ecology.https://doi.org/10.22459/HER.26.02.2020.08

Fletcher J., Han J.K. (2021). High schools and intergenerational mobility. Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, 76(), -. Emerald Group Holdings Ltd..https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rssm.2021.100621

Otero G., Volker B., Rozer J. (2021). Open But Segregated? Class Divisions And the Network Structure of Social Capital in Chile. Social Forces, 100(2), 649-679. Oxford University Press.https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/soab005

Henry A.D., Dietz T., Sweeney R.L. (2021). Coevolution of Networks and Beliefs in U.S. Environmental Risk Policy. Policy Studies Journal, 49(3), 675-702. John Wiley and Sons Inc.https://doi.org/10.1111/psj.12407

Henry A.D. (2021). Evaluating collaborative institutions by segregation and homophily in policy networks. Public Administration, -. John Wiley and Sons Inc.https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12800

Park B. (2021). Segregated in Social Space: The Spatial Structure of Acquaintanceship Networks. Sociological Science, 8(), 397-428. Society for Sociological Science.https://doi.org/10.15195/v8.a20

Abebe R., Immorlica N., Kleinberg J., Lucier B., Shirali A. (2022). On the Effect of Triadic Closure on Network Segregation. EC 2022 - Proceedings of the 23rd ACM Conference on Economics and Computation, 249-284. Association for Computing Machinery, Inc.https://doi.org/10.1145/3490486.3538322

Semmel E.S., Quadri T.R., King T.Z. (2022). Graph Theoretical Analysis of Brain Network Characteristics in Brain Tumor Patients: A Systematic Review. Neuropsychology Review, 32(3), 651-675. Springer.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-021-09512-5

Richmond S., Beare R., Johnson K.A., Bray K., Pozzi E., Allen N.B., Seal M.L., Whittle S. (2022). Maternal warmth is associated with network segregation across late childhood: A longitudinal neuroimaging study. Frontiers in Psychology, 13(), -. Frontiers Media S.A..https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.917189

Trujillo J.P., Özyürek A., Kan C.C., Sheftel-Simanova I., Bekkering H. (2022). Differences in functional brain organization during gesture recognition between autistic and neurotypical individuals. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience, 17(11), 1021-1034. NLM (Medline).https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsac026

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Molloy Elreda L., Kibler A.K., Johnson H.E., Williams J.L. (2022). Academic development and disparities in linguistically diverse middle school classrooms: The role of social network equality and linguistic integration. Social Development, 31(1), 69-92. John Wiley and Sons Inc.https://doi.org/10.1111/sode.12555

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Xu Y., Santi P., Ratti C. (2022). Beyond Distance Decay: Discover Homophily in Spatially Embedded Social Networks. Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 112(2), 505-521. Taylor and Francis Ltd..https://doi.org/10.1080/24694452.2021.1935208