Network Security Controls Due Date: Sunday, July 8, 2018

Network Security Controls Due Date: Sunday July 8 2018 Assignment

Ken 7 Windows Limited has added several new servers and workstations to the Ken 7 domain to support the new enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. They have also added many internal users and plan to allow access from remote users to their internal network resources. Ken 7 Windows Limited needs additional network controls to protect their growing network. Consider the Windows servers and workstations in the domains of a typical IT infrastructure. Based on your understanding of network security controls, recommend possible new controls that will enhance the network’s security.

Focus on ensuring that controls satisfy the defense in depth approach to security. Summarize your network security controls in a Word document and submit it to your instructor. You must provide rationale for your choices by explaining how each control makes the environment more secure.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In today's digital landscape, safeguarding network environments, especially those supporting enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, is crucial for business continuity and data integrity. Given the expansion of Ken 7 Windows Limited's infrastructure with new servers, workstations, and remote access capabilities, implementing robust, layered security controls aligned with the defense in depth philosophy is essential. This paper discusses recommended network security controls to fortify the organization’s infrastructure, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical resources.

Network Security Controls: An Overview

Network security controls are technical, administrative, and physical measures implemented to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of network resources. In line with the defense in depth model—where multiple layers of security controls are deployed—this approach minimizes the risk of successful attacks by making it more difficult for malicious actors to penetrate the network at various points (Anderson et al., 2019).

Technical Controls

Firewall and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)

Deploying advanced firewalls with stateful inspection capabilities is fundamental to control incoming and outgoing traffic. An integrated Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) provides real-time monitoring and blocks suspicious activities based on signature and anomaly detection. These controls help prevent unauthorized access and mitigate threats such as malware, which is essential given the increased remote access needs (Kramer & Mueller, 2020).

Virtual Private Network (VPN) Access

Implementing secure VPN connections ensures that remote users access the internal network over encrypted channels. VPN solutions like SSL/TLS or IPsec encrypt data transmissions, protecting sensitive information from interception. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) should complement VPN access, adding an extra layer of verification (Chen, 2021).

Network Segmentation

Segmenting the network into different security zones limits lateral movement within the organization. For example, separating ERP servers from general user workstations and guest networks reduces exposure and isolates potential breaches, enhancing containment and response efforts (Nash & Chandra, 2018).

Endpoint Security and Antivirus

Implementing robust endpoint security software on all workstations and servers ensures real-time malware detection, intrusion prevention, and patch management. Regular updates and security patches are vital to protect against known vulnerabilities, especially in environments with many user endpoints (Lee et al., 2019).

Encryption Technologies

Encrypting data at rest and in transit safeguards against data breaches. Full disk encryption on servers and workstations encrypts stored data, while encryption protocols such as TLS protect data during transmission between clients and servers (Zhao & Sun, 2022).

Administrative Controls

Access Control Policies

Implementing strict access controls based on the principle of least privilege ensures that users only have access necessary for their roles. Regular review and update of permissions prevent privilege creep and reduce insider threats (Smith, 2020).

Security Awareness Training

Training staff on security best practices, social engineering threats, and incident reporting fosters a security-minded culture. Educated users are less likely to fall victim to phishing or other cyber-attacks (Garcia et al., 2021).

Regular Security Audits and Vulnerability Assessments

Conducting periodic audits identifies weaknesses in the network and application security, enabling timely remediation. Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing are vital components of this process (Lee & Kim, 2019).

Physical Controls

Restricting physical access to servers and network infrastructure reduces the risk of tampering or theft. Secure server rooms with access controls, surveillance, and environmental controls (like fire suppression and cooling) are critical in protecting hardware assets (Thompson & Carter, 2020).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the security of Ken 7 Windows Limited’s expanding network requires a layered approach leveraging technical, administrative, and physical controls. Firewall and IPS implementations, VPN security, network segmentation, endpoint protection, and encryption protect the network from external threats, while policies, training, and physical safeguards address internal and physical risks. Together, these measures create a resilient security posture that aligns with the defense in depth strategy, safeguarding critical business operations against current and emerging threats.

References

• Anderson, R., Ferguson, D., & Johnson, P. (2019). Principles of Cybersecurity: Defense in Depth and Layers of Security. Journal of Information Security, 10(2), 65-78.
• Chen, L. (2021). Secure Remote Access with VPNs and Multi-Factor Authentication. Cybersecurity Journal, 15(4), 112-119.
• García, M., Ruiz, S., & Alvarez, J. (2021). Security Awareness and User Training Impact on Organizational Security. Computers & Security, 102, 102142.
• Kramer, S., & Mueller, T. (2020). Modern Firewall Technologies and Intrusion Prevention Strategies. Network Security, 2020(7), 10-16.
• Lee, H., & Kim, J. (2019). Endpoint Security in Enterprise Environments: Best Practices and Challenges. Journal of Cybersecurity, 5(3), 75-86.
• Lee, S., Chung, K., & Nguyen, T. (2019). Vulnerability Management in Large IT Infrastructures. Security Journal, 32(5), 569-583.
• Nash, R., & Chandra, S. (2018). Network Segmentation Strategies for Enterprise Security. International Journal of Network Security, 20(4), 519-526.
• Thompson, E., & Carter, D. (2020). Physical Security Measures for Data Center Protection. Journal of Physical Security, 14(2), 89-98.
• Zhao, Y., & Sun, L. (2022). Data Encryption Techniques in Cloud and Enterprise Networks. Journal of Data Security, 8(1), 45-59.