Skip to main content

My InfoTech Journal!

MyInfoTechJournal: Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste: The Ultimate Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for Thriving in Any Situation (Part 3 of 3: EXAMPLE)

MyInfoTechJournal: Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste: The Ultimate Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for Thriving in Any Situation  (Part 3 of 3: EXAMPLE)

Network Security: How to Secure Your Network

My InfoTech Journal:

Network Security 




To set the context of this domain, I have here several definitions from different service providers.


Network Security refers to the practices of protecting computer network from intruders, including both wired and wireless connections. - US CISA


Network Security is any activity designed to protect the usability and integrity of your network and data. It includes both hardware and software technologies. Effective network security manages access to the network. It targets a variety of threats and stops them from entering or spreading on your network. - Cisco


Network Security combines multiple layers of defenses at the edge and in the network. Each network security layer implements policies and controls. Authorized users gain access to network resources, but malicious actors are blocked from carrying out exploits and threats. - Cisco


Network Security are measures taken to protect a communications pathway from unauthorized access to, and accidental or willful interference of, regular operations. - Gartner


Network Security must consider a holistic approach to secure all the attack vectors in your network. You have to perform a risk assessment on your network and drive a security program to ensure that all identified risks have been resolved.


 




How to Secure Your Network


Network Security covers a wide range of solutions. All of which must work in an ecology complementing each other, with the same objective that is to ensure the integrity of your network and data. Network Security is an evolving domain that advances dramatically as the threat landscape advances. 

Here are some of the Network Security solutions that you must consider to protect your network.



Firewalls

Firewalls are critical components especially when a local area network is connected to the internet. A Firewall controls the access to the network as well as monitor the flow of traffic. A Firewall is able to screen and keep out unwanted network traffic and also prevent intrusion to your private  network.


Firewalls put up a barrier between your trusted internal network and untrusted outside networks, such as the Internet. They use a set of defined rules to allow or block traffic. A firewall can be hardware, software, or both. Cisco offers unified threat management (UTM) devices and threat-focused next-generation firewalls. 2



eMail Security

eMail is another area that is a favourite vector of attack on users. As part of your Network Security and Risk Management strategy, you have to ensure that you protect your email system against attacks, compromise, malware infestation, phishing and spoofing.


eMail Gateways are the number one threat vector for a security breach. Attackers use personal information and social engineering tactics to build sophisticated phishing campaigns to deceive recipients and send them to sites serving up malware. An email security application blocks incoming attacks and controls outbound messages to prevent the loss of sensitive data. 2



Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware Software

Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware Softwares are deployed as countermeasures for computer virus and malwares.


"Malware," short for "malicious software," includes viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, and spyware. Sometimes malware will infect a network but lie dormant for days or even weeks. The best antimalware programs not only scan for malware upon entry, but also continuously track files afterward to find anomalies, remove malware, and fix damage. 2



Network Segmentation

Network Segmentation is an architectural design to enhance network security. The concept behind this design is to divide the network into multiple segments or small networks. This allows your Network Team to implement granular policies to control and secure the flow of traffics between these smaller networks. 


Network Segmentation allows organisations to improve technical support and more efficient monitoring, improve on network performance, easier troubleshooting of issues based on a the segmented smaller networks,  and most importantly, this design improves on your network security. 


Software-defined segmentation puts network traffic into different classifications and makes enforcing security policies easier. Ideally, the classifications are based on endpoint identity, not mere IP addresses. You can assign access rights based on role, location, and more so that the right level of access is given to the right people and suspicious devices are contained and remediated2



Access Control 

Access Control is a network security control that is implemented to ensure that access to resources are secured and only allowed to authorized personnel.


Not every user should have access to your network. To keep out potential attackers, you need to recognize each user and each device. Then you can enforce your security policies. You can block noncompliant endpoint devices or give them only limited access. This process is network access control (NAC). 2



Application Security

Application Security is a control to help ensure that applications are secured to prevent security vulnerabilities from being exploited.


Any software you use to run your business needs to be protected, whether your IT staff builds it or whether you buy it. Unfortunately, any application may contain holes, or vulnerabilities, that attackers can use to infiltrate your network. Application security encompasses the hardware, software, and processes you use to close those holes2



Behavioural Analytics

Behavioural Analytics refers to security controls that analyze the normal conduct of Users. Behavioural Analytics tools are able to determine patterns that are out of the ordinary and suspicious or that are deviations from the normal user behaviour. 


To detect abnormal network behavior, you must know what normal behavior looks like. Behavioral analytics tools automatically discern activities that deviate from the norm. Your security team can then better identify indicators of compromise that pose a potential problem and quickly remediate threats. 2



Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a security control that are composed of sets of tools and processes that ensures your sensitive data are kept secured, not lost, not misused, and accessed only by authorized users on a need to know basis.


Organizations must make sure that their staff does not send sensitive information outside the network. Data loss prevention, or DLP, technologies can stop people from uploading, forwarding, or even printing critical information in an unsafe manner. 2



Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)

Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) are security tools that detects security threats and prevents your network from these threats. The IPS can trigger alerts when threats are detected and initiates preventative actions.


An intrusion prevention system (IPS) scans network traffic to actively block attacks. Cisco Next-Generation IPS (NGIPS) appliances do this by correlating huge amounts of global threat intelligence to not only block malicious activity but also track the progression of suspect files and malware across the network to prevent the spread of outbreaks and reinfection2



Mobile Device Security

Mobile Device Security refers to security controls that are designed to protect information or data stored and processed on mobile devices like laptops, mobile phones or smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices.


Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting mobile devices and apps. Within the next 3 years, 90 percent of IT organizations may support corporate applications on personal mobile devices. Of course, you need to control which devices can access your network. You will also need to configure their connections to keep network traffic private2



Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) is a security control that refers to security solutions that are able to provide real-time analysis of security alerts generated by network devices or applications. SIEM collects alerts from your servers, network devices, domain controllers and other systems or services in your IT Infrastructure, then performs analysis to detect threats.


SIEM products pull together the information that your security staff needs to identify and respond to threats. These products come in various forms, including physical and virtual appliances and server software. 2



Virtual Private Network (VPN) 

Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a security control that helps protect your remote connection by encrypting the session to your private network.


A virtual private network encrypts the connection from an endpoint to a network, often over the Internet. Typically, a remote-access VPN uses IPsec or Secure Sockets Layer to authenticate the communication between device and network2



Web Security 

We’ve Security refers to security controls that help protect your IT infrastructure from CyberCriminal threats that uses web exploits. 


A web security solution will control your staff’s web use, block web-based threats, and deny access to malicious websites. It will protect your web gateway on site or in the cloud. "Web security" also refers to the steps you take to protect your own website2



Wireless Security

Wireless Security refers to security controls that you implement on your wireless devices like your access points.


Wireless networks are not as secure as wired ones. Without stringent security measures, installing a wireless LAN can be like putting Ethernet ports everywhere, including the parking lot. To prevent an exploit from taking hold, you need products specifically designed to protect a wireless network2




End Notes


Disclaimer 

This article is a result of my personal research and is not a substitute for legal advise. 

Please consult your Legal Team, Ethics & Compliance, or Regulatory Team for the interpretation of  specific CyberSecurity requirements.






Support My InfoTech Journal




Comments

POPULAR: My InfoTech Journal

Network Security: How to minimize the Risk of your Wireless Network

My InfoTech Journal: What you can do to minimize the risk of your wireless network? Access Points are usually targets for unauthorized access. You have to ensure that your access points are secured to prevent unauthorized access.  There are several ways of securing your wireless access points.  Here is a Security Tip from the US CISA. Change default password. Restrict access. Encrypt the data on your network. Protect your Service Set Identifier (SSID). Install a Firewall. Maintain Anti-Virus software.I Use file sharing with caution. Keep your access point software patched and up to date. Check your internet provider’s router or router manufacturers wireless security options. Connect Using Virtual Private Network (VPN). A more detailed discussion of this tip can be found in this post:   US CISA: Security Tip (ST 005-003) Securing Wireless Networks End Notes  US CISA: Security Tip Disclaimer   This article is a result of my personal research and is not a substitute for legal advise.  Ple

Information Security Tenets (The CIA Triad)

My InfoTech Journal:   Information Security Tenets The CIA Triad The   three tenets or fundamental principles of Information Security are  Confidentiality ,  Integrity , and  Availability .  This is also commonly known as the CIA Triad . The Information Security  programs refers to the controls designed and implemented to protect these three tenets:  Confidentiality ,  Integrity , and  Availability .   What is Confidentiality? Confidentiality ensures that private information remains private and that these private information can only be accessed or viewed by authorized individuals on need to know basis. Information Security controls must therefore be put in place to protect the data from unauthorized disclosure.  Examples of  Information Security controls  to ensure Data Confidentiality : Access Control List (ACL) Username and Password  Encryption  Two-Factor Authentication (Password, Token, PIN, Biometric, etc) What is Integrity? Integrity refers to the accuracy and completeness of t

How to Improve Employees’ CyberSecurity Awareness (From Weakest Link to Fist Line of Defence)

My InfoTech Journal: How to Improve Employees’ CyberSecurity Awareness (From Weakest Link to Fist Line of Defence) Your Employees may be the weakest link in the CyberSecurity chain,   BUT, You can train them to be part of your first line of defence.  Improving Employees’ CyrberSecurity know-how will depend greatly on your company’s CyberSecurity Awareness Program. This must be aimed to strengthen your first line of defence. There must be a CyberSecurity Awareness Program to ensure everyone is aligned with the company’s principles, policies and procedures. The CyberSecurity Awareness Program should promote everyone’s inclusion and a culture that CyberSecurity is everyone’s responsibility. The CyberSecurity Awareness Courses will also help everyone in the company to be in the same page against malicious attacks. The CyrberSecurity Training should be regularly deployed to the Employees. The CyberSecurity courses should be   designed to include training  Employees on the different human-ba

Information Security

My InfoTech Journal: Information Security Information Security is always a very interesting domain for discussion.  Over the years, Information Security has evolved as a domain that requires more and more stringent security controls in order to comply with growing compliance requirements and most importantly to protect corporate sensitive data, confidential, personal information, and other critical data. There are several Information Security Standards or Frameworks available in the industry to choose from.  But there is no one standard that can claim the title of being an all-in-one package solution. So if you are into Information Security compliance, you need to understand your organization to know what standards will best fit your compliance requirement.  In some cases, you will have to implement combinations of industry standards for your compliance governance program. Back in the days, I was involved in an outsourcing project as an Account Security Officer (ASO) for a large corpo

Introduction to SOX Compliance

 My InfoTech Journal:  Introduction to SOX Compliance  Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is defined as “An Act to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures made pursuant to the securities laws, and for other purposes.” 1 Sarbanes-Oxley Act  or more commonly known as  SOX , is a Federal Law which was enacted on 30-July-2002.  The Sarbanes-Oxley Act  was known in the US Senate as the “ Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act ” and known in the US House as the “ Corporate and Auditing Accountability, Responsibility, and Transparency Act ”. This law was enacted as a response to a number of major corporate and accounting scandals including Enron and WorldCom. 2 The Sarbanes-Oxley Act  defined “ A violation by any person of this Act, any rule or regulation of the Commission issued under this Act, or any rule of the Board shall be treated for all purposes in the same manner as a violation of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15

CyberSecurity Predictions for 2022 and Beyond

My InfoTech Journal: CyberSecurity Predictions for 2022 and Beyond     Today’s post will focus on the latest report released by Mandiant titled “ 14 CyberSecurity Predictions for 2022 and Beyond ”. Mandiant identified 14 predictions which are focused on seven main CyberSecurity threat areas: 1. Ransomware and multifaceted extortion in the spotlight 2. Outlook on major nation-state actors: The Big Four 3. Events in the Afghanistan trigger espionage and information operations 4. Deepfakes: Not just for information operations 5. Cyber outsourcing increases velocity and impact of malicious operations  6. Cloud and Third Parties introduce new chokepoints 7. More internet of things devices, more vulnerabilities, more attacks   14 CyberSecurity Predictions for 2022 and Beyond Here’s a snapshot of the 14 CyberSecurity Predictions for 2022 and Beyond Ransomware and multifaceted extortion in the spotlight 1. No End in Sight: Increased Frequency and Expanding Tactics The Ransomware Threat will c

What is General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

My InfoTech Journal:  General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) The  General Data Protection Regulation , also known as  GDPR  is regulation under the  European Union (EU) Law  that mandates data security and privacy.  The  General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR)  was passed by the European Parliament in 14-Apr-2016 and which became  effective on 25-May-2018.  The main objective of GDPR is to ensure that individuals under the European Economic Area (EEA) have control and rights over their personal information. The GDPR also aims to simplify the regulatory requirements for international business. GDPR Protection Principles  1 Lawfulness, fairness and transparency  —  Processing must be lawful, fair, and transparent to the data subject.  Purpose limitation   — You must process data for the legitimate purposes specified explicitly to the data subject when you collected it.  Data minimization   — You should collect and process only as much data as absolutely necessary for the purposes s

CyberSecurity Vulnerabilities in Control Systems

My InfoTech Journal:  CyberSecurity Vulnerabilities in Industrial Control Systems For this article, I will be presenting an overview of CyberSecurity Vulnerabilities, using the US   CyberSecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidelines for Industrial Control Systems . Please note that this US CISA CyberSecurity guideline is specific to Industrial Control Systems. Nonetheless the framework and line of thought can be used as reference for any other similar environment. CyberSecurity aims to protect sensitive information hosted in critical systems from different faces of evolving threats. Year-by-year business reports would publish the cost of data breaches globally in millions of US dollars. This includes losses in business revenues, cost of responding to the breach, cost of deciphering the extent of the data breach,  performing root cause analysis, and most of all the long term damage of the company reputation and brand. In order to protect your Control System’s risk and

My InfoTech Journal

 M My InfoTech Journal My InfoTech Journal will record the research that I have consolidated so that I can go back and use these articles for future reference. I will start with topics related to Information Security, Data Privacy, and expand to other domains with the objective of promoting knowledge sharing for those that may have the same research requirement. I will also share personal experiences that may be useful to the topics being presented. I hope that these research articles will be useful to others looking for references on the same topic. The Author: My InfoTech Journal  Support My InfoTech Journal