Network Security Features, Defense Techniques & Solutions PDF

4.3 Apply network security features, defense techniques, and solutions Welcome to our presentation on cybersecurity best practices. In this section, we'll provide an overview of the key concepts and strategies that can help protect your organization's network and data from cyber threats. Disable Un...

4.3 Apply network security features, defense techniques, and solutions Welcome to our presentation on cybersecurity best practices. In this section, we'll provide an overview of the key concepts and strategies that can help protect your organization's network and data from cyber threats. Disable Unused Ports and Services 1 Identify Unused 2 Disable Unused 3 Disable Unused Ports Ports Services Conduct a comprehensive Physically disable or Ensure that any audit of your network administratively shut unnecessary network devices to identify any down any unused ports on services or applications unused or unnecessary your network switches, running on your systems open ports that could be routers, and other devices are disabled or removed to potential entry points for to eliminate potential minimize the attack attackers. attack surfaces. surface and reduce the risk of exploitation. Importance of Disabling Unused Ports and Services 1 Security Risk Reduction 2 Improved Performance Disabling unused ports and services helps Removing unnecessary services and ports mitigate the attack surface by eliminating frees up system resources, enhancing overall potential entry points for unauthorized network performance and responsiveness. access and malicious activities. 3 Compliance and Regulations 4 Reduced Maintenance Overhead Many industry standards and regulations Keeping track of and managing a smaller set require organizations to maintain a secure of active ports and services simplifies network by disabling unused access points network administration and reduces the risk and services. of configuration errors. Steps to Disable Unused Ports and Services Identify Unused Ports 1 Conduct a comprehensive network scan to identify all active and unused ports on your devices. This will provide a clear 2 Disable Unused Ports picture of the attack surface. Physically disconnect or administratively disable any ports that are not being used. This reduces the risk of Disable Unused Services 3 unauthorized access and potential entry Review the list of running services on points for attackers. your devices and disable any that are not essential. Unused services can be vulnerable entry points that should be eliminated. Change Default Passwords One of the most critical security measures is to change default passwords on all network devices and systems. Default passwords are widely known and easily accessible, making them a prime target for attackers. Implementing strong, unique passwords is essential to protect against unauthorized access and maintain the integrity of your network infrastructure. Importance of Changing Default Passwords Security Risk Compliance Requirement Default passwords are widely known and Many industry regulations and standards easily guessed, putting your systems at a high mandate the use of strong, unique passwords risk of unauthorized access and data breaches. to protect sensitive information and systems. Prevent Credential Reuse Maintain Control Changing default passwords regularly helps Changing passwords ensures you maintain prevent attackers from reusing the same control and ownership of your systems and credentials across multiple systems or data, limiting the risk of insider threats. accounts. Best Practices for Changing Passwords 1. Use a unique, complex password for each account - avoid common words, phrases, or personal information. 2. Change passwords regularly, at least every 90 days, to limit the window for potential compromise. 3. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible to add an extra layer of security. Network Access Control (NAC) Port Security 802.1X Authentication MAC Filtering Restricts access to network ports, Provides port-based access Allows or denies access based on allowing only authorized devices control, ensuring only the unique MAC addresses of to connect. authenticated devices can access devices, enhancing security. the network. Port Security Access Control MAC Filtering Intrusion Prevention Port security enables controlling Port security utilizes MAC address Port security helps prevent access to network ports, ensuring filtering to allow or deny access unauthorized access and detect only authorized devices can based on the unique hardware potential intrusions, protecting connect and communicate. addresses of devices. the network from malicious activities. 802.1X Authentication Network Security Authentication Access Control 802.1X is an IEEE standard for 802.1X uses Extensible 802.1X allows granular control port-based network access Authentication Protocol (EAP) to over network access, ensuring control, providing strong authenticate users or devices only authorized devices and users authentication and authorization before granting network access, can connect to specific network for connecting devices to the enhancing security. segments or resources. network. MAC Filtering Network Security Access Control Authorized Devices MAC filtering enhances network MAC filtering provides an The network administrator security by allowing access only additional layer of access control, maintains a list of approved MAC to devices with approved MAC restricting unauthorized devices addresses that are permitted to addresses. from connecting to the network. access the network. Access Control Lists (ACLs) 1 Define Rules 2 Apply to Interfaces 3 Optimize Create a set of rules that Apply the ACL rules to Performance specify which traffic is specific network Regularly review and allowed or denied based interfaces, such as routers optimize the ACL rules to on source, destination, or firewalls, to control the ensure efficient use of ports, and protocols. flow of traffic. network resources and enhance security. Importance of ACLs 1 Network Security 2 Granular Control Access Control Lists (ACLs) are a fundamental ACLs provide granular control over network security mechanism, allowing organizations traffic, enabling administrators to permit or to control and restrict access to network deny specific types of traffic based on factors resources based on defined policies. like source, destination, and application. 3 Compliance and Regulations 4 Traffic Monitoring and ACLs are often required for regulatory Optimization compliance, helping organizations meet By analyzing ACL logs, administrators can industry standards and avoid costly penalties gain valuable insights into network activity, for security breaches or data leaks. identify potential threats, and optimize network performance. URL Filtering URL filtering is a vital security mechanism that restricts access to certain websites and web content. It helps prevent users from accessing potentially harmful or inappropriate online resources, protecting the organization's network and devices. By creating customized URL filtering rules, IT administrators can block access to categories of websites, such as social media, gaming, gambling, or explicit content, ensuring employees stay focused and the network remains secure. Content Filtering Content filtering refers to the process of monitoring and controlling the types of websites, applications, and content that users can access on a network. This helps enforce acceptable usage policies and protect against malicious or inappropriate content. Content filters can be implemented at the network level to block or allow specific URLs, categories of websites, file types, and applications based on organizational policies. Trusted vs. Untrusted Zones Trusted Zone Separating Zones The trusted zone is the internal network within an To protect the trusted zone, organizations employ organization, where authorized users and devices firewalls, access controls, and other security reside. It is considered a secure environment with measures to carefully manage and monitor the flow controlled access and higher levels of trust. of traffic between the trusted and untrusted zones. Untrusted Zone Security Considerations The untrusted zone refers to the external, public Resources and services in the trusted zone are more network, such as the internet, where unauthorized vulnerable to attacks originating from the untrusted users and potentially malicious actors operate. It is zone. Proper network segmentation and granular considered an insecure environment with lower access controls are crucial to maintain the integrity levels of trust. and confidentiality of the trusted network. Screened subnet Trusted Zone 1 Internal network with sensitive data Screened Subnet 2 Intermediary zone between trusted and untrusted Untrusted Zone 3 External network with potential threats A screened subnet, also known as a demilitarized zone (DMZ), is an intermediary network segment that sits between a trusted internal network and an untrusted external network, such as the internet. It acts as a buffer zone, protecting the internal network from direct exposure to the untrusted network. Conclusion and Key Takeaways In conclusion, we have explored crucial security measures to safeguard your network. By disabling unused ports and services, changing default passwords, and implementing robust access control mechanisms, you can significantly enhance the overall security posture of your organization. Practice Exam Questions 1. What is a screened subnet also 2. What is the purpose of a trusted known as? zone? A) Buffer Zone A) Secure access for all users B) Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) B) Protect from external threats C) Screened Zone C) Unrestricted network access D) Isolated Network D) Higher levels of authenticity Correct Answer: B) Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). A Correct Answer: B) Protect from external screened subnet, also known as a DMZ, acts as a threats. The trusted zone provides a secure buffer zone between trusted and untrusted environment with controlled access and higher networks. levels of trust. Practice Exam Questions 3. Which security measures protect the 4. Why are ACLs important for network trusted zone? security? A) Firewalls and access controls A) To monitor user activity B) Content filtering and NAC B) To manage network traffic flow C) URL filtering and MAC filtering C) To encrypt sensitive data D) Encryption and port security D) To authenticate user identities Correct Answer: A) Firewalls and access controls. Correct Answer: B) To manage network traffic Security measures like firewalls and access controls flow. ACLs are crucial for managing and monitoring are used to protect the trusted zone from external the flow of traffic between different network zones. threats. Practice Exam Questions 5. How can content filters enhance network security? A) By encrypting all data traffic B) By allowing unrestricted access to all websites C) By blocking specific URLs and file types D) By authenticating users through 802.1X Correct Answer: C) By blocking specific URLs and file types. Content filters can be implemented to block or allow specific URLs, categories of websites, and file types based on organizational policies. Further resources https://examsdigest.com/ https://guidesdigest.com/ https://labsdigest.com/ https://openpassai.com/