In today’s digital age, corporate networks are the backbone of a company’s technology infrastructure. They allow employees to access essential data and applications, connect with colleagues, and communicate with clients, customers, and partners. At the same time, however, the increasing complexity of networks and the evolution of cyber threats present a significant challenge for companies and their IT departments. The good news is that by asking five important questions, companies can effectively manage their networks and keep them safe from cyberattacks.
The Challenges of Patching Network and Security Devices
Patching network and security devices as new vulnerabilities are identified may sound much easier than it actually is in practice. Network security is a moving target as cybercriminals are always seeking to exploit new vulnerabilities. Network devices like firewalls and routers are critical components of the infrastructure and must be patched regularly to limit the attack surface available to a cyber attacker. However, patching is not always possible without taking the network offline and this is usually not practical for a business that relies on the network being available 24/7.
The Importance of Having In-house Expertise for Network Evaluation
Before asking the five questions, companies should first think about whether they have the in-house skills to help evaluate the network. A range of skills is required to manage a network environment securely, including configuration management, network security and activity monitoring. It is essential to have the right skills in place to understand the network and take the necessary steps to keep it secure.
The five questions companies need to ask to ensure network safety and an efficient plan are
Once you have the expertise, these are the five things you need to consider asking:
1.”How are you monitoring for rogue devices and new network connections?” It’s important to maintain an inventory and identify any rogue devices that may pose a security risk.
2. “Do you have a completely reliable, trustworthy, and failsafe methodology for automating backup and recovery?” Regular backups of network configurations and data are essential to quickly recover systems in the event of a disaster or loss.
3. “Can you upgrade any devices with high-severity vulnerabilities immediately?” The ability to patch any devices quickly and efficiently as soon as vulnerabilities are identified is crucial.
4. “How do you keep up with necessary network updates?” The vast majority of network operations and security professionals say there are more network updates needed than they can keep up with. It’s essential to develop processes and tools to manage network updates effectively.
5. “What are your automation strategies for network configuration audits?” Solid automation strategies involve conducting nightly network configuration audits to compare current configurations against industry best practices, guidelines such as CIS and NIST, and standards and regulations specific to your business.
The importance of having a handle on network inventory
A foundational element of network security is knowing the devices and applications that could potentially access the network. IT departments must track network devices and closely monitor their connection activity. Unapproved access points or rogue devices can serve as entry points for malicious actors, thus the IT team must keep an inventory of network devices and track their activities.
A reliable methodology for automating backup and recovery
Backing up network configurations and data is critical to getting systems back to an operational state in the event of a disaster. Having a reliable and automated backup and recovery method is important to ensure backup data is current across your network.
Immediate upgrade needed for devices with high-severity vulnerabilities
Patching vulnerabilities in a timely manner can be the key to minimizing damage from cyberattacks. Devices with high-severity vulnerabilities should be upgraded as soon as possible. Prioritize and test out-of-cycle patches, and inform stakeholders about the criticality of the patch.
The difficulty lies in keeping up with necessary network updates
Keeping up with network updates can be a challenge for many organizations. Regular updates improve system performance, patch vulnerabilities, and enhance security. However, many organizations face resource constraints and have a large number of devices to update and configure, making it difficult to keep up with the latest updates. Automation solutions can reduce the burden and ensure that network updates are implemented quickly and efficiently.
Solid Automation Strategies for Network Configuration Audits
Regular network configuration audits mitigate the risks associated with poor configuration practices and other security lapses. Automation is a key factor in streamlining these processes and generating accurate audit reports quickly.
Ensuring network security is essential to protect assets, brand, and career
The corporate network should be a safe place. By ensuring that you have the expertise, tools, and processes in place to keep it secure, you protect not only your company’s assets and brand, but also your own career. Network security breaches can cause significant damage to a company’s reputation and can lead to job loss for responsible personnel.
In conclusion, companies need to evaluate their networks regularly to ensure they remain secure and protected from cyber threats. By asking the right questions, organizations can create a plan that is both efficient and effective in securing their networks. Through automation, monitoring, and regular updates, companies can keep their networks safe and secure, ensuring the protection of assets, brand, and personnel.