When implementing a zero-trust framework, it’s important to use multiple forms of identity verification to reduce the likelihood of penetration by attackers. Training sessions should be brief and aimed at reducing time spent implementing the zero-trust framework. Taking steps to revoke access privileges is far easier than recovering from a cyberattack. By using these practices, you can protect your network against cyberattacks.
Monitoring network activity
A number of network components should be monitored regularly and for what duration. Network administrators should identify what components require monitoring and what intervals they can tolerate. Client laptops and printers are not networked critical devices, and monitoring intervals can be longer. Other network components, such as routers, switches, and servers, should be monitored less often, but with higher frequency. Regardless of their criticality, monitoring network activity is critical to ensuring network security and operational reliability.
Monitoring network activity involves understanding the components, configurations, availability, and performance of your organization’s networks. Security is inextricably bound up with each of these responsibilities, so it is crucial to keep track of what is happening on your network to prevent future problems. Malware and DDoS attacks can severely disrupt an enterprise’s network availability and performance. By monitoring network activity, network administrators can address these issues before they affect the business.
While traditional network traffic monitoring tools rely on IP addresses and MAC addresses to report on activities, they can also be used to trace activity by usernames. This is a useful feature if a device is connecting to the network using a username. Once the administrator can see who is on the network, they can determine how to allocate resources to prevent problems. If an employee is going to a website that is restricted, they need to know what they’re doing.
In addition to providing an early warning of potential security threats, network monitoring can help companies keep track of their IT assets. By knowing which elements are down or not functioning, network administrators can quickly fix the problems and maintain the company’s competitiveness. If an IT employee notices something out of the ordinary, they can immediately correct the problem and get back to business as usual. The ability to upgrade networks faster gives organizations a competitive edge in the market.
Using a SIEM system
Using a SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) system to enhance operations and network security is a good idea, but only if you know how to use it effectively. It generates a multitude of alerts and alarms that could be false positives, which requires an expert to sort through them and determine which ones are valid. This can take a significant amount of time, so implementing it in a timely manner is essential.
The choice of a SIEM system depends on the source of the required security standards. Some of these standards are dictated by customer contracts. If you require a system that meets certain standards, check if it supports the following: PCI DSS, FISMA, HIPAA, ISO, NCUA, GLBA, NERC CIP, and GPG13. You should choose a SIEM system that supports these standards.
When choosing a SIEM tool, it is essential to select one that supports encryption. Some SIEM tools are even certified secure. Check that your selected SIEM is FIPS 140-2 compliant and meets all relevant compliance mandates. Additionally, it should monitor different aspects of critical resources, including system failure, abnormal user behavior, and remote login attempts. You should also monitor all areas of your network that are vulnerable to attacks.
SIEMs can also identify attacks before they can be detected by traditional methods. SIEMs are an excellent tool for identifying these attacks before they can affect your operations. These tools also make it easier for security analysts to identify which incidents need immediate remediation. Further, they allow for the automatic collection of data from known incidents, which greatly reduces response times and helps to provide rich forensic data. Some of the best SIEMs on the market today are SolarWinds Security Event Manager, IBM QRadar, Sumo Logic, SolarWinds Threat Monitor, AlienVault Unified Security Management, Micro Focus ArcSight ESM, Splunk Enterprise Security, and LogRhythm NextGen SIEM
Encrypting sensitive data
Data encryption is an important step in enhancing operational and network security. This best practice protects data during its storage, generation, transmission, and erasure. Data at rest includes data on a hard drive, database, or laptop. Different types of data present different security challenges and require different security measures. Data in motion is most often protected by SSL VPN, which is used for data transfer across a network, service bus, or input/output process.
Although encryption may be a time-consuming process, it can prevent unauthorized parties from accessing sensitive information. Regardless of the medium, encrypted data protects against breaches in confidentiality, accidental modifications, and denial of use. Security policies for encrypted data can be found in Chapter 3 of this book. By following these guidelines, you can be confident that your network and operational security is protected against attacks.
The primary goal of data encryption is to ensure confidentiality. Encryption methods work by converting data into ciphertext, which can only be decoded by a unique decryption key. Encryption can be used for data in transit or at rest and is typically used in conjunction with authentication services to provide an extra level of security. Businesses increasingly use encryption to protect sensitive data from unauthorized parties.
The loss of trade secrets and intellectual property could result in lost profits and innovations. As a result, consumers place more importance on trustworthiness. Seventy-five percent of consumers won’t purchase from a company that does not protect sensitive data. Aside from this, companies must demonstrate that they have implemented security controls. If you’re still unsure, try some of these steps.
Controlling access to your network
There are three basic methods for controlling access to your network. Pre-admission network access control involves assessing an access request before it is granted. It only grants access if the person trying to enter is authorized or meets corporate security policy requirements. However, this method is more complicated to install and manage than the other two. The next section of this article explains each method in detail. To make your network as secure as possible, control access to your network at every level.
Network Access Control is the process of limiting the number and types of devices that are allowed to access your network. The goal of network access control is to prevent unauthorized or non-compliant devices from accessing your network. It works by enforcing rules that grant and deny access based on specific criteria such as device health or role. It also enables you to restrict access to certain parts of your network based on specific protocols and roles.
Keeping up with cybersecurity best practices
In the current cyber security climate, keeping up with best practices is a must. While there are a number of ways to stay safe, cybersecurity is particularly important for organizations. Not only are attacks on corporate networks becoming increasingly common, but small businesses are also often targeted by hackers. In order to prevent these attacks, organizations must keep their data and systems secure. Here are some cybersecurity best practices for small businesses to consider.
The world is becoming more technologically advanced every day, but being connected comes with risks. Security threats are a top concern, and the security of business networks is of utmost importance. Cybersecurity involves the tools and techniques used by hackers to gain access to networks and steal data. To prevent such attacks, organizations should implement cybersecurity best practices to improve their network and operational security.
