You Work For A Consulting Company As The Senior Network Arch

You Work For A Consulting Company As The Senior Network Architect

You work for a consulting company as the senior network architect. Your company was contracted by a local university to design and deploy a new network. During the deployment process, this network will operate in parallel to the present infrastructure. The network currently has many performance issues and security concerns. A few months ago, there was a situation reported in the local newspapers that students had gained access to the student records database and had made modifications to grades.

Your task as the senior network architect is to design a network that will mitigate these risks and address the performance issues. Special considerations should be given to physical and logical access control and how the proper implementation of the same can reduce the risk. In a 2–3-page document, discuss the design approach you will use. Talk about the physical security, logical security, and access control measures that will be implemented. Provide specific details.

Discuss the design approach that will control traffic flow, hence improving performance. Use diagrams where possible support your discussion points. Please submit your assignment. For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of a secure and efficient university network requires a comprehensive design approach that addresses both security vulnerabilities and performance bottlenecks. This paper delineates a strategic plan focusing on physical security, logical security, access control measures, and traffic management techniques to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and efficiency of the university's information infrastructure.

Physical Security Measures

Physical security forms the foundational layer of network protection. To safeguard critical network infrastructure, the data centers housing servers, switches, routers, and storage devices must be housed in secure, access-controlled facilities. This involves implementing biometric access controls, security guards, surveillance systems, and environmental controls such as fire suppression and climate regulation. Restricted access ensures only authorized personnel can physically reach network hardware, mitigating risks of tampering or theft.

Furthermore, cabling pathways should be secured within locked conduits or trays to prevent unauthorized physical connection or disconnection. Regular audits and monitoring of physical access logs are essential to keep track of personnel movements and activities around sensitive hardware.

Logical Security Measures and Access Controls

Logical security mechanisms are equally vital. Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) can segment the network into different zones, separating administrative, academic, and student areas, thereby restricting access to sensitive resources such as the student records database.

Access control policies should enforce least privilege principles, ensuring users only have access to necessary data and resources. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) can be deployed for administrative accounts to prevent unauthorized access. Role-based access control (RBAC) allows assigning permissions based on user roles, which simplifies management and reduces the likelihood of privilege escalation.

Additionally, implementing strong password policies, regular account audits, and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) can further fortify logical defenses. Firewall configurations should strictly filter inbound and outbound traffic, particularly to the database servers, ensuring only legitimate requests are processed.

Network monitoring tools can detect unusual activities indicating potential breaches, such as abnormal login attempts or data exfiltration, enabling prompt responses to security incidents.

Traffic Control and Performance Optimization

Controlling traffic flow is essential for combatting network congestion and ensuring high performance. Implementing Quality of Service (QoS) policies allows prioritization of critical academic and administrative traffic over less sensitive data. For example, real-time applications like online exams or video conferencing should be given higher priority to prevent lag or disconnections.

Segmenting the network with VLANs not only improves security but also enhances performance by reducing broadcast domains. Core switches can be configured to optimize traffic routing, efficiently managing data packets to minimize latency.

Deploying load balancers for critical services ensures even distribution of network loads, preventing bottlenecks. Additionally, deploying a hierarchical network topology—core, distribution, and access layers—supports scalability and simplifies traffic management.

Incorporating network diagrams demonstrates separate VLAN segments—such as administrative, student, faculty, and guest networks—and shows how traffic flows are restricted and prioritized within these segments.

Diagram Support

[Insert diagram illustrating hierarchical network topology with VLAN segmentation, illustrating traffic flow between core, distribution, and access layers, along with security zones for different user groups.]

Conclusion

Effective security and performance in a university network hinge on a multilayered strategy involving strict physical controls, sophisticated logical access policies, and traffic management techniques. By deploying access controls, segmenting the network, and prioritizing critical application traffic, the university can significantly mitigate risks of data breaches—such as the recent student record incident—and achieve improved network performance. Continuous monitoring, routine audits, and employee training will sustain these security measures and adapt to emerging threats, ensuring a secure, reliable, and efficient network environment for the university community.

References

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