Tips For Network Infrastructure Protection

The modern era is the era of digitalization. Every other information that we store, we keep it under the wraps of elaborate network setups. But these digitally occupied networks can contain vulnerabilities if not fastened under intricate security designs. Thus, protecting these network cells from external parties becomes increasingly essential. This can be done by seeking professional assistance to carry out a network vulnerability assessment to reveal network vulnerabilities and get these fixed promptly.

What is Network Infrastructure?

Our entire online existence is sheltered within intricate connections called the network infrastructure. In terms of definition, the network infrastructure is a typical base where each network resource combines. In general, it is a collection of peripheral devices and tools that transfer data, applications, and media altogether. Network infrastructure can include tools like:

• Routers
• Firewalls
• Switches
• Servers
• Load-balancers
• Intrusion Detection Systems
• Domain Name Systems
• Storage Area Networks

As these tools are established to be essential and universal, they become the hub of IT attacks. Nearly all of a user’s data passes through these networks, and thus they remain fixated in the eyes of the predator. As per figures, there was an increase of 80 percent in data breaches from 2017 to 2019. Therefore, we decided to outline some foolproof tips regarding network infrastructure protection. Here they are:

Segregation and Segmentation of Networks and Functions

Segmentation

Segmentation is a methodical approach to network security. A cleverly designed segment inhibits any intruder from gaining access to sensitive data. A properly mechanized data segmentation can puzzle intruders and thereby inhibit their ability to capture the essence of your network in a single go.

• These chunks of data can withhold information on intellectual property and sensitive data.
• Therefore, securely seizing them from a third party network can hinder malicious accessing and stealing of data.

Segregation

Segregation is a method of segregating the data segments that we created during segmentation. These segments are separated or segregated on the basis of role and functionality. This segregation can be of two types:

1. Physical Segregation: Physical segregation refers to the separation of two concrete networks like LANs. These separations can assist you with creating boundaries within various user interfaces and give in plenty of broadcast domains. These network boundaries can filter the user’s data and swiftly identify a non-matching security breach. Moreover, in cases of strong security intrusion, this segregation of segments can allow us to shut down the affected data segment without affecting the others.

• Virtual Segregation: With an abundance of technology advancements, IT industries are able to extend security powers without including additional hardware. And that’s what virtual segregation is all about. Virtual security segregation is utterly identical to physical segregation in approach but with limited or no hardware requirements. Here we virtually isolate each network chunk through logical inputs and codes.

• You can VLAN to segregate the user from the rest of the domain technically.
• Using VRF for segmenting user traffic-related information in a series of routers.
• Extending hosts through VPNs during network surfing.

Restricting unnecessary lateral network exchanges

The foremost step towards securing your network infrastructure is limiting loose communication networks.

• Whenever an intruder invades one system, their penchant for invading the others of the same network leads them to use the system transmission setup that you created.
• This way, they can gain access to every system in the network by merely transferring communication alerts or breached media.
• Therefore, to avert this destructive scenario of losing your network to a hacker, we suggest you look over every lateral communication on your network.

These unsurveyed network communications can put your devices on the onset of security vulnerability. One malicious transfer from an infected system can captivate every other system in a single go if not addressed effectively. Thus, we suggest you:

• Block unfiltered flow of communication in the network.
• Use Firewalls to deny access to unnamed or unidentified hosts. Firewalls can filter hosts, resources, and IP addresses to contain any third-party breach in the system.
• A VLAN access control list (VACL) can be implemented to deny the communication packets flow to other VLANs.
• Isolate critically susceptible devices using segmentation and segregation property of networking.

Safeguarding the network through security configurations

All network devices remain prone to security threats and thus outlay on the lines of damage vulnerability. However, all of these threats and breaches can significantly be reduced if acknowledged with an elaborate safety configuration.

These safety configurations can wipe out all possible security threats, thereby fundamentally strengthening your network’s security altogether. In the realms of IT, we call it hardening of the network setup. So, in order to harden your system or configuring your network, follow these steps:

• Never try the SNMP Community Strings, as they allow trackers instead go for SNMPv3.
• Disable trivial services that may open a portal to potential threats.
• Limit the transfer of unencrypted data.
• Disable remote access protocols that manage your network infrastructure.
• Secure the paths to various virtual terminal lines and consoles.
• Inhibit any physical access to your router.
• Back up your network configurations offline.

These were some ways in which you could prevent any uncalled attacks on your precious network. We hope the tips were helpful and easy to conduct.