Isol 532 Telecommunications Network Security Case Project ✓ Solved
Isol 532 Telecommunications Network Security Case Project Network
Develop a comprehensive network security plan for Acme Corporation's two campuses in Atlanta and Cincinnati, covering topology, hardware, cabling, security measures, WAN connections, wireless technology, high availability solutions, and verification methods. The plan must address security concerns, intrusion prevention, redundancy, and security verification, aligning with the specified requirements.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The rapid evolution of telecommunications technology necessitates robust security strategies, especially for organizations like Acme Corporation that handle sensitive data and secure product development. Designing a secure, reliable, and scalable network infrastructure for their Atlanta and Cincinnati campuses involves careful planning of topology, hardware, security measures, and redundancy. This paper presents a detailed network security plan tailored to Acme's operational and security needs, incorporating current best practices supported by external references.
Network Topology and Hardware Design
The network topology for Acme Corporation should employ a hybrid approach that combines star and mesh topologies to ensure both centralized control and redundancy. At each site, a layered architecture utilizing core, distribution, and access layers enhances security and manageability.
- Core Layer: Houses high-performance routers and switches to facilitate fast data transfer between sites and data centers.
- Distribution Layer: Serves as the security and policy enforcement point, implementing access control and segmentation.
- Access Layer: Connects individual devices, including user endpoints and servers.
Hardware components include:
- High-speed routers supporting VPN and encryption for secure WAN connections.
- Layer 3 switches for routing within facilities and data centers.
- Firewalls at external points and between network segments.
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) for real-time threats detection.
- Redundant power supplies and network interfaces to ensure high availability.
Cabling and Wiring Closet Configuration
Cabinet selection should favor structured cabling with Cat6a Ethernet cables supporting up to 10 Gbps connections, ensuring future scalability. Fiber optic cabling, specifically multimode fiber, should connect building floors and data centers for high bandwidth and low latency.
Wiring closets should be located on each floor, preferably near core network points, and equipped with environmental controls to prevent overheating. These closets should be interconnected via fiber optic links to support redundancy and high-speed data transfer.
Security Measures and Intrusion Prevention
Security strategies include:
- Network segmentation to isolate sensitive areas such as development teams and databases.
- Implementation of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) with robust encryption protocols (AES-256) for secure remote access.
- Deployment of firewalls with stateful inspection at all ingress and egress points.
- Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments, possibly supplemented with penetration testing.
- Employing Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) to monitor traffic for suspicious activity and block malicious actions.
- Implementation of strict access controls, including multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls (RBAC).
- Utilization of intrusion traps (honeypots) to detect and divert attackers, providing early warning and intelligence gathering.
- Adoption of security policies aligned with ISO/IEC 27001 standards.
Protection from state change attacks can be achieved by employing anti-spoofing filters, time-sensitive packet validation, and secure dynamic routing protocols like OSPF with authentication.
Wide Area Network (WAN) Connection Recommendations
The WAN link between Atlanta and Cincinnati should support at least 50 Mbps, with consideration for future scalability. Recommended options include:
- Leased fiber optic connections offering dedicated bandwidth with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for reliability.
- Implementation of MPLS VPNs to securely segregate traffic between locations and enhance quality of service (QoS).
- Utilization of SD-WAN technology to improve flexibility, security, and traffic management across multiple links.
Redundancy can be achieved by deploying dual physical links and automatic failover mechanisms to ensure uninterrupted connectivity.
Wireless Technology Recommendations
Wireless networks should employ WPA3 encryption for maximum security. Access points should be placed strategically to cover all operational areas, and network segmentation should isolate guest and employee networks.
- Implementation of WPA3 for wireless security.
- Use of enterprise-grade access points supporting 802.1x authentication and RADIUS servers.
- Deployment of Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS) to monitor and mitigate wireless threats.
Data Center High Availability Technologies
Critical for ensuring minimal downtime, high availability solutions include:
- Server virtualization using VMware or Hyper-V for resource redundancy and workload balancing.
- Clustered servers with automatic failover capabilities.
- Storage Area Networks (SAN) with replication across sites for disaster recovery.
- Deployment of load balancers to distribute incoming traffic efficiently and prevent overloads.
- Implementation of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and backup generators for power redundancy.
Security Verification and Monitoring
To verify security measures:
- Regular vulnerability scans using tools like Nessus.
- Continuous monitoring through Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems such as Splunk or IBM QRadar.
- Periodic penetration testing to identify potential security gaps.
- Audit logs review and compliance checks aligned with security policies.
These measures ensure proactive detection and response to threats, maintaining the integrity and security of the network.
Conclusion
The proposed network security plan emphasizes a layered security approach, redundancy, and scalable infrastructure tailored to Acme Corporation’s security and operational needs. By integrating secure topology design, advanced security controls, reliable WAN connections, and high-availability solutions, Acme can safeguard its assets and ensure continuous business operations while meeting regulatory and security standards.
References
- Cheng, K., & Liu, Y. (2020). Network security architecture design strategies. Journal of Cybersecurity, 6(3), 45-58.
- Gordon, J., & Loeb, M. (2019). Implementing layered security in enterprise networks. Proceedings of the IEEE, 107(6), 1079-1091.
- Kim, D., & Lee, H. (2021). High-availability network systems and disaster recovery. IEEE Transactions on Network and Service Management, 18(2), 1056-1069.
- NIST. (2022). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. National Institute of Standards and Technology.
- Odom, W. (2018). Cisco CCNA Security 210-260 Official Cert Guide. Cisco Press.
- Sharma, P., & Patel, R. (2020). Securing enterprise wireless networks: A comprehensive review. International Journal of Wireless & Mobile Networks, 12(1), 1-19.
- Smith, R., & Brown, T. (2019). Virtualization and high availability in data centers. Cloud Computing Journal, 7(4), 34-45.
- Stallings, W. (2020). Network Security Essentials: Applications and Standards. Pearson.
- Zhao, Y., & Wang, S. (2022). Implementing SD-WAN for enterprise network security and efficiency. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 197, 103287.
- ISO/IEC 27001:2013. Information technology — Security techniques — Information security management systems.