Exploring the Challenges and Vulnerabilities of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) In Campus Network Security

Abstract

Today, Campus networks face unprecedented challenges in terms of scalability, security and performance wherein traditional network architecture is striving hard to achieve this goal. This systematic review evaluates Software-Defined Networking (SDN) as a transformative solution to centralized yet dynamic network control and management and increased operational efficiency for an academic institution. Software-defined networking (SDN) decouples the control and data plane, making it possible to make real-time changes and quick reconfigurations to optimize traffic flow and minimize problems such as latency and packet loss. This flexibility comes along with vulnerabilities notably in central control points susceptible to Distributed Denial of Service Attacks (DDoS) and the spreading of malware which requires robust security measures. With the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into SDN, it can strengthens intrusion detection and it also opens the floodgates for vulnerabilities and heightens the risk of cyberattacks. Strategies to mitigate these problems include the use of multiple controller clusters, load-balancing architecture, and federated learning for privacy-preserving intrusion detection. This paper shows that the academic institution should adopt strict and proactive security measures and monitoring to protect against cyber threats through the implementation of SDN since it emphasizes scalability and resilience. SDN can also transform network administration efficiently.