If you are in control of a network, you need to be careful about several critical aspects to ensure its security and proper functioning:
- Protect Network Credentials: Do not share or expose network login credentials. Unauthorized access can lead to data breaches, loss of sensitive information, and significant financial damage
- Use Strong Passwords and Authentication: Enforce strong, unique passwords with complexity requirements and use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security against unauthorized access
- Implement Network Segmentation: Divide the network into logical zones to contain breaches and limit damage. Use demilitarized zones (DMZs) for external-facing services to protect the internal network
- Maintain Updated Systems: Regularly update and patch all software, hardware, and firmware to protect against known vulnerabilities
- Deploy Firewalls and Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems: Use firewalls to control traffic and IDS/IPS to monitor and respond to suspicious activities
- Enforce Least Privilege Access: Restrict user permissions to only what is necessary for their roles to minimize insider threats and potential damage from compromised accounts
- Secure Remote Access: Ensure VPNs and other remote access methods are secure, with proper authentication and account management
- Install and Update Antivirus/Malware Protection: Protect all network devices with reputable antivirus software and keep malware definitions up to date to prevent infections
- Conduct Regular Security Audits and Monitoring: Perform wireless security audits, monitor network traffic baselines, and watch for anomalies to detect potential threats early
- Control File Sharing and Application Use: Disable unnecessary file-sharing features and use application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized software execution
- Create and Enforce Security Policies: Develop policies for device use, password management, social media, email, and business continuity to guide secure network operations
- Manage Network Assets and Unauthorized Devices: Use network access control (NAC) and asset discovery policies to block or quarantine unauthorized devices and reduce attack surfaces
Being vigilant in these areas helps protect the network from external attacks, insider threats, malware, and operational failures, maintaining the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of network resources
