How can you secure your network segmentation?

Network segmentation is a practice of dividing a network into smaller subnets based on different criteria, such as function, security, performance, or location. It can help you improve your network efficiency, scalability, and security, especially if you outsource some of your IT tasks to third-party providers. However, network segmentation also requires careful planning and implementation to avoid creating vulnerabilities or conflicts. In this article, you will learn how to secure your network segmentation by following some best practices.

1 Assess your network needs

Before you segment your network, you need to understand your network needs and goals. What are the main functions and processes that your network supports? How do they relate to your business objectives and priorities? How do you measure your network performance and security? How do you manage your network resources and costs? These questions will help you define the scope and purpose of your network segmentation, as well as the criteria and methods for dividing your network.

Add your perspective

Vener A.
Report contribution
I believe the most important factors in assessing the network needs are the up to date documentations of your current infrastructure, it's support structure and details of it's previous assessment state. This will shorten the assessment time, resources and costs by looking at the historical details and what needs to be prioritized to mitigate business risks and impacts.

Like

2 Choose your segmentation approach

There are different ways to segment your network, depending on the level of granularity and control you want to achieve. You can use physical segmentation, which involves separating your network devices by using switches, routers, or firewalls. You can also use logical segmentation, which involves creating virtual subnets by using software-defined networking (SDN) or virtual local area networks (VLANs). Both approaches have their pros and cons, so you need to weigh them against your network needs and resources.

Add your perspective

Vener A.
Report contribution
Segmentation approach depends on what services should be prioritized. The gap assessment will provide better view in terms of the security posture of network segments and it's corresponding vulnerabilities and risk levels. From that assessment, you will be able to prioritize which network segments you need to resolve whether that network serves external or internal services and applications.

Like

3 Implement your segmentation policies

Once you have chosen your segmentation approach, you need to implement your segmentation policies. These are the rules and configurations that define how your network segments communicate with each other and with external networks. You need to ensure that your segmentation policies are consistent, clear, and secure across your network. You also need to monitor and update your segmentation policies regularly, as your network needs and conditions may change over time.

Add your perspective

Vener A.
Report contribution
Segmentation policies should have the flexibility to adjust to business infrastructure requirements, compliance and best practices. Nowadays, rapid migration of tenants and cloudification of Data Center break the traditional segmentation. Other services and applications to protect business brand and reputation depends on how the business manage and distribute information both internally and externally. All these should be considered in your segmentation policy.

Like

4 Secure your network boundaries

One of the main benefits of network segmentation is that it can limit the impact of a cyberattack or a network failure by isolating the affected segments. However, this also means that you need to secure your network boundaries, as they can become potential entry points or targets for attackers. You need to use encryption, authentication, and authorization techniques to protect your network traffic and data. You also need to use firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and antivirus software to detect and block malicious activities.

Add your perspective

5 Manage your network access

Another benefit of network segmentation is that it can enhance your network access control, as you can assign different roles and permissions to your network users and devices. However, this also means that you need to manage your network access carefully, as you may have different levels of trust and risk among your network segments. You need to use identity and access management (IAM) tools to verify and grant access to your network segments. You also need to use network access control (NAC) tools to enforce your network policies and compliance.

Add your perspective

6 Collaborate with your IT outsourcing partners

If you outsource some of your IT tasks to third-party providers, such as cloud services, software development, or technical support, you need to collaborate with them to secure your network segmentation. You need to establish clear and mutual expectations and responsibilities for your network security and performance. You also need to share and align your network segmentation policies and practices with your IT outsourcing partners. You also need to audit and review your network segmentation regularly, as your IT outsourcing needs and agreements may evolve over time.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

How can you secure your network segmentation?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your network needs

2 Choose your segmentation approach

3 Implement your segmentation policies

4 Secure your network boundaries

5 Manage your network access

6 Collaborate with your IT outsourcing partners

7 Here’s what else to consider

IT Outsourcing

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on IT Outsourcing

More relevant reading

How can you secure your network segmentation?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your network needs

2 Choose your segmentation approach

3 Implement your segmentation policies

4 Secure your network boundaries

5 Manage your network access

6 Collaborate with your IT outsourcing partners

7 Here’s what else to consider

IT Outsourcing

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills