In general, most of the network security best practices listed below are universally applicable and can be followed regardless of the design of your network. The following are some general guidelines for maintaining network security; however, they are all-inclusive. In addition, you should contact your network security architect to find out what other controls are available for your network.
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Tip 1: Network Security: Be Aware of Your Infrastructure
Before you can begin to protect your network from potential attacks, you must have insight into your network infrastructure. You can’t safeguard your network until you know what hardware and software devices are part of it.
Your network security strategy should take into account all of the following considerations:
- Mechanics (routers, switches, printers, etc.)
- Security certificates (SSL/TLS certificates, IoT certificates, etc.)
- software (firewalls, IDS/IPS, etc.) devices.
Tip 2:Use Segmentation and Segregation Strategies for Network Security Basics
Defining firewall policies and successfully regulating traffic flow can be challenging when dealing with the security of an extensive, unsegmented network. Networks can be segmented into smaller portions and established in various trust zones to reduce the danger and impact of a network intrusion, making network management more accessible and more secure.
If a network is not segmented, hackers have a bigger attack surface to infiltrate business-critical information. Due to the size of the network, a compromise like this can go undetected. In these situations, network segmentation and segregation can be advantageous since it allows you to regulate traffic flow within your network.
Tip 3 Basics of Network Security: Select a Data Loss Prevention System
Malware and insider threats are common causes of data exfiltration when data is removed from an endpoint without authorization. When sensitive data (such as PII, PCI data, client data, etc.) is stored or transmitted by your organization, it may be required by law to protect it. Unaffected by regulatory regulations, it’s a good idea to maintain tabs on the activities that could lead to a breach of sensitive data.
Tip 4: for Educating Users and Staff on Network Security
Employees who aren’t aware of the best practices can be a significant source of insider threats when it comes to cybersecurity. When it comes to security breaches, employees can be your most robust line of protection because they are the most vulnerable to social engineering and phishing email attacks.
When 35 percent of an undisclosed Fortune 50 company’s employees received training on detecting a phishing email, they were 84% less likely to fall victim to such an assault, according to a report from Infosecinstitute.com.
When done regularly, requiring all employees to participate in cyber awareness training drives home the need for fundamental network security, IT compliance, and password security for everyone. It also guarantees that personnel is kept up to date on various types of cyberattacks and avoid them.
Tip 5: Evaluate Third-Party Vendors for Network Security
In some circumstances, working with outside contractors is unavoidable. There is an influence on your overall security if they are given access to your corporate network. Third-party providers should be scrutinized for their security measures because the number of access points to your network will expand.
There were at least four instances of attacks on Airbus’s third-party supplier networks last year, according to bitsite.com. Hackers used virtual private networks (VPNs) to get remote access to the aerospace manufacturer’s business network to steal intellectual property. Target and several other companies have been the victims of external vendor attacks in the past.
Briefly stated
Security measures must keep pace with the ever-changing nature of the threats they protect against. Security controls previously implemented in layers (like an onion) are no longer regarded as adequate for safeguarding IT infrastructures such as defense in depth. An OSI defense in breadth model, which employs several controls at every OSI layer, or a combination of the two is said to be more efficient.
While there isn’t a single tested method for building a robust network infrastructure, the preceding suggestions for network security best practices can help you get started on the correct path.
