Identify A Network You Are Familiar With And Its Topology

Identify a network in which you are familiar. What topology is used? What, if any, penetration testing is done?

This is a two-part assignment. Part A requires you to identify a network you are familiar with, describe the topology used, detail whether penetration testing is conducted, and discuss what is considered best practice for network security and testing. You should then compare the best practices related to testing and topologies with the actual network you have identified, analyzing similarities and differences. Your paper should be approximately two pages in length and include at least one peer-reviewed academic reference formatted in APA style to support your analysis. The focus should be on integrating scholarly insights rather than personal opinions.

Paper For Above instruction

The security and architecture of computer networks are critical aspects of organizational cybersecurity strategies. Understanding the characteristics of network topologies and the conduct of penetration testing provides insights into how organizations safeguard their digital infrastructure. This paper examines a local area network (LAN) within a corporate setting, analyzing its topology, testing practices, and alignment with best practices, supported by scholarly literature.

The identified network employs a star topology, a prevalent configuration in many organizational environments. In a star topology, all devices connect centrally through a switch or hub, which acts as the mediator of data transfer. This topology offers advantages such as simplified management, ease of adding or removing devices, and isolation of faults to individual segments. However, the reliance on a central node introduces a potential point of failure, which can impact network resilience (Tanenbaum & Wetherall, 2011). Within this network, routine penetration testing is conducted periodically by in-house security personnel with external consultants engaged biannually. These tests aim to identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them, ensuring the network’s security posture aligns with industry standards.

Best practices in network security emphasize proactive testing, including comprehensive penetration testing, coupled with robust security policies. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) recommends regular vulnerability assessments, continuous monitoring, and employing layered defenses such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and secure configurations (CIS Controls, 2021). Additionally, segmentation strategies, like virtual LANs (VLANs), are employed to isolate sensitive data and critical systems from general network traffic. These optimal security practices contrast with some of the observed network’s practices, which are more reactive and less comprehensive, lacking real-time monitoring or frequent vulnerability assessments.

Comparing the actual network topology—star, in this case—with best practices highlights certain alignments and deficiencies. The star topology supports network simplicity and centralized control, aligning with best practices for ease of management. Nonetheless, best practices recommend enhancing this structure with redundant paths and backup configurations to mitigate failure risks. Furthermore, while regular penetration testing is performed, industry standards advocate for continuous monitoring and more frequent testing, particularly after significant changes or updates to infrastructure. The current approach falls short of the ideal of proactive, ongoing security assessment.

From a scholarly perspective, research underscores the importance of integrating topological considerations with security testing for comprehensive network defense. Tanenbaum and Wetherall (2011) emphasize that topology influences the vulnerability exposure and mitigation strategies. Likewise, recent standards from cybersecurity authorities advocate for adaptive security models that evolve with emerging threats, urging organizations to adopt zero-trust frameworks and automated testing protocols (NIST, 2020). These models support the idea that no network configuration is infallible; therefore, continuous evaluation and adaptation are vital.

In conclusion, the examined network’s star topology facilitates management and suited operational needs but must be complemented with advanced security practices such as frequent testing, monitoring, and redundancy. Comparing the network’s current practices with scholarly best practices highlights areas for improvement, such as adopting automated vulnerability assessments and implementing a more resilient design. As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, ongoing, proactive security measures mapped to network topology will Be essential for maintaining integrity, availability, and confidentiality in organizational networks.

References

• Center for Internet Security. (2021). CIS Controls v8. Retrieved from https://www.cisecurity.org/controls
• NIST. (2020). NIST Cybersecurity Framework. National Institute of Standards and Technology.
• Tanenbaum, A. S., & Wetherall, D. J. (2011). Computer Networks (5th ed.). Pearson Education.