Corporation Techs Provides Remote And On-Site Support To SMA

Corporation Techs Provides Remote And On Site Support To Small And Mid

Corporation Techs provides remote and on-site support to small and mid-size businesses. Due to recent developments, most technical representatives will begin working from home within the next six months. Because Corporation Techs provides 24/7 support, its systems and communications pathways must be fully operational at all times. The company has been experiencing unprecedented growth and is preparing to double its client-facing staff. As a junior network architect, you are responsible for helping to plan and design network enhancements to create a more secure internal network and to ensure secure remote access.

Paper For Above instruction

In response to the dynamic growth and evolving operational needs of Corporation Techs, it is crucial to enhance its network infrastructure to ensure robust security, resilient remote access, and scalable support capabilities. This paper presents a comprehensive network design strategy tailored to meet the company's demands for increased security, reliable remote connectivity, and growth accommodation, aligning with best practices in network architecture and cybersecurity.

Network Security Enhancements

At the core of securing Corporation Techs’ internal network is the implementation of layered security architecture, incorporating firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and network segmentation. A perimeter firewall, such as a next-generation firewall (NGFW), should be deployed at the network boundary to monitor and filter inbound and outbound traffic, blocking malicious threats while allowing legitimate communication. Segmentation within the internal network, achieved through Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), helps contain potential breaches and restrict lateral movement of attackers, safeguarding sensitive client data and internal resources (Stallings, 2019).

In addition, deploying IDS/IPS solutions provides real-time threat detection and mitigation, addressing vulnerabilities that may emerge despite preventive controls. Regular patch management and endpoint security solutions should complement these measures. Furthermore, implementing a comprehensive Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system allows centralized monitoring and analysis of security events to facilitate rapid incident response (Kim et al., 2020).

Secure Remote Access Infrastructure

The shift to remote work necessitates a robust and secure remote access architecture. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), utilizing protocols such as IKEv2/IPsec or SSL/TLS, should be employed to establish encrypted tunnels between remote employees and the corporate network (FitzGerald & Dennis, 2020). To authenticate remote users securely, multi-factor authentication (MFA) must be mandated, combining something users know (password) with something they have (security tokens or mobile authenticator apps). This greatly reduces the risk of unauthorized access (Mendoza et al., 2021).

For improved scalability and management, deploying a centralized VPN solution that integrates with corporate directory services like LDAP or Active Directory ensures seamless access control and user management (Choi et al., 2022). Additionally, remote access policies should be rigorous, defining permissible devices, security standards for remote endpoints, and session timeout controls.

Network Infrastructure Upgrades

To support a doubling of client-facing staff and remote work, the internal network infrastructure must be upgraded to provide high bandwidth, low latency, and redundancy. Upgrading switches and routers to 10GbE capacity ensures sufficient bandwidth. Implementing redundant links and power supplies guarantees network availability even during hardware failures (Wilson & Doran, 2018).

Wireless infrastructure should be enhanced with enterprise-grade access points supporting Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which offers better performance, security, and capacity in high-density environments. Proper placement and segmentation of Wi-Fi networks, along with WPA3 encryption, will uphold security standards (Arshad et al., 2019).

Policy and Documentation

Developing comprehensive security policies, access controls, and incident response procedures is vital. Training employees on security awareness and proper remote work practices will help mitigate social engineering and other threats. Documentation detailing network architecture, policies, and procedures provides a foundation for ongoing security management and future upgrades (Garcia & Zakaria, 2021).

Conclusion

Designing a secure, scalable, and resilient network for Corporation Techs involves layered security controls, secure remote access solutions, infrastructure upgrades, and effective policies. These enhancements will ensure continuous support operations, safeguard sensitive data, and accommodate future growth, aligning with best practices in network security and architecture.

References

  • Arshad, M., Iqbal, U., & Lee, S.-K. (2019). Wi-Fi 6: Beyond Data Rate and Capacity. IEEE Communications Standards Magazine, 3(3), 66–75.
  • Choi, H., Kim, J., & Kim, M. (2022). Centralized VPN Management with Active Directory Integration. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 198, 103330.
  • FitzGerald, J., & Dennis, A. (2020). Network Security Essentials, 6th Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
  • Garcia, J., & Zakaria, N. (2021). Effective Network Security Policies: A Practical Approach. Elsevier.
  • Kim, J., Park, S., & Lee, M. (2020). Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Fundamentals and Architecture. IEEE Transactions on Dependable and Secure Computing, 17(5), 1125–1137.
  • Mendoza, K., Tang, Q., & Lee, K. (2021). Multi-Factor Authentication Strategies for Secure Remote Access. Computers & Security, 105, 102236.
  • Stallings, W. (2019). Network Security Essentials, 5th Edition. Pearson.
  • Wilson, T., & Doran, R. (2018). Designing Redundant Networks for Reliability. Cisco Press.

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