When we design a network, we design it for security, efficiency, and redundancy. What you may not know is that many components that are part of an advanced networking project can stay the same for a long time, while some components need constant maintenance and updates to ensure a consistent level of protection. high density. This is why one of the most important aspects to consider when it comes to cybersecurity is undoubtedly preventive maintenance. In this article, we recommend 11 things to consider before implementing advanced network security so as not to jeopardize your corporate network security.
Content
- Good anti-virus and anti-malware
- Make updates
- Research process and policy
- Filter emails and websites
- Support
- Using Firewall
- Perform a security scan
- do audit
- Control procedures and policies
- System control
- network control
- Detect intrusions and stop them
- Conduct log synthesis and analysis
- Create documents
1. A good anti-virus and anti-malware software
Any company that even has a PC connected to the internet needs some kind of protection against viruses and malware. There are often free versions of antivirus that can work well. Even a simple antivirus can block most threats. Anti-virus software must be installed on every device and continuous monitoring must be conducted for it to be effective. But the good news is that you can reduce your risk as an organization by using Spin Technology, a SaaS data protection platform for all your SaaS Applications.
2. Make the update
It is important to keep the operating system and firmware up to date. The only possible exception is when the update causes hardware or software problems. Updates should be performed by dedicated network maintenance personnel to ensure that the work is carried out in a compliant manner and does not affect network performance.
3. Research Process and Policy
All companies should have written network manuals. A policy should include information about allowed actions, including what websites anyone using the network can access and which cannot be accessed. Then there are the procedures in the event of a problem (data loss, external intrusion, viruses, etc.) and the access rules in the event of an external visitor.
These documents primarily serve as a security shell for each employee and a tool to prevent inappropriate behavior and potentially risk corporate networks, such as illegal document downloads. or visit ethically questionable websites.
4. Filter emails and websites
Using software to scan your computer for malware is very important. But some systems can block malware before it enters a PC. Email scanning and website filtering are part of the behaviors needed to ensure network security: in this way, tracking, in real time, the attachments of incoming emails, messages and web pages can be contains malware hidden in the code. Likewise, a network administrator can set up a web filter that only blocks certain websites, such as online gambling sites.
5. Backup
It is important to back up all information, including device configuration and firmware version. However, while this ensures data recovery in the event of loss, it also provides important sensitive data to anyone. So yes for backup but it is always protected and encrypted on a secure system with limited access.
6. Use Firewall
Firewalls were an important part of the initial design of the network. They need regular maintenance to ensure optimal operation. This will allow you to delete old obsolete rules as well as old users and configurations.
7. Security Scan
This is exactly what a hacker does before an attack. Scanning the network reveals security issues and interesting information for network administrators. The scan sends the request to the server through every possible path. When the server responds, it is possible to know which service responded, which version, and for how long. If I send a request to port 80 and get a response, it could be the web server. Then if I go a little deeper, I can tell if it’s a Microsoft or Linux server, I can also determine the version, and when I have this information I know what the vulnerabilities are and hence the attack. labour.
8. Audit
Designing a safe environment from the start is a big step towards safety. But as we all know, sometimes the initial conditions change. It is recommended that you schedule an annual overhaul to ensure the safety of the entire required environment. This process improves administrators and engineers’ perception of the current situation.
Controls can be divided into three categories.
- 1. Control of procedures and policies
Policies cannot be changed frequently. But the adoption of new technologies within the company may make the addition of new rules necessary. Review existing guidelines to ensure they remain consistent and relevant to the environmental safety context.
System control is often focused on servers and their configuration. It includes any domain services such as Active Directory and accounts of former employees that no longer need to have access to company resources. Old hardware needs to be replaced and old operating systems need to be removed and updated.
It focuses on each device that is part of the network and its settings. Making sure the firmware is up to date is just as important as performing Windows updates. It is recommended to check the firewall rules annually or semi-annually. Having a document containing all the rules is certainly a valid aid to speeding up the entire control process.
9. Detect intrusions and stop them
Intrusion detection and prevention systems are used to control traffic at all levels of communication. If until recently, only large companies adopted these detection and prevention systems, now it is extremely important that SMEs also use and deploy them in their networks. surname.
10. Conduct Log Aggregation and Analysis
Logs are used to check the status of the server. If there is a problem, there is also an error line printed somewhere in the syslog. Aggregating logs from different servers has always been a key need for organizations of all sizes. This is for two main reasons:
- Having the logs aggregated means being able to consult them from a single location
- Security issues can be answered and rebuilt
Depending on the available budget, different solutions can be found providing for log aggregation and analysis. The most efficient and richest options can intelligently group events and thus have a timeline for a specific event.
11. Create Document
It is not exactly a security measure but can access important information in a timely manner. Good documentation includes the network diagram, hardware vendor contact information, and any rules that affect network flow. Having network documentation streamlines and speeds up troubleshooting and recovery processes.
Networks, like machines, need regular maintenance to maintain peak performance. If this is not done, the network will sooner or later become more vulnerable, causing security problems and creating breakpoints and loss of data and resources in work processes.
