When considering security what is the common name given to separating your network into discrete entities

This article explains the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model and the 7 layers of networking, in plain English. The OSI model is a conceptual framework that is used to describe how a network functions. In plain English, the OSI model helped standardize the way computer systems send information to each other. Learning networking is a bit like learning a language - there are lots of standards and then some exceptions. Therefore, it’s important to really understand that the OSI model is not a set of rules. It is a tool for understanding how networks function. Once you learn the OSI model, you will be able to further understand and appreciate this glorious entity we call the Internet, as well as be able to troubleshoot networking issues with greater fluency and ease. All hail the Internet! Prerequisites You don’t need any prior programming or networking experience to understand this article. However, you will need: • Basic familiarity with common networking terms (explained below) • A curiosity about how things work :) Learning Objectives Over the course of this article, you will learn: • What the OSI model is • The purpose of each of the 7 layers • The problems that can happen at each of the 7 layers • The difference between TCP/IP model and the OSI model Common Networking Terms Here are some common networking terms that you should be familiar with to get the most out of this article. I’ll use these terms when I talk about OSI layers next. Nodes A node is a physical elec...

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This is Chapter 5 in Tom Olzak ‘s book, “Enterprise Security: A practitioner’s guide.” Chapter 4 is available here: Attack Surface Reduction – Chapter 4 Chapter 3 is available here: Building the Foundation: Architecture Design – Chapter 3 Chapter 2 is available here: Risk Management – Chapter 2 Chapter 1 is available here: Enterprise Security: A practitioner’s guide – Chapter 1 In Chapter 4, we examined system attack surface reduction. The next step is moving out from systems to the network attack surface. Traditional flat networks present a single surface to the outside and almost nothing to internal threats. By segmenting a network, and applying appropriate controls, we can break a network into a multi-layer attack surface that hinders threat agents/actions from reaching our hardened systems. In this chapter, we step through a description of VLAN technology, how to secure it (including basic switch security), and how to control packets to increase the overall strength of attack surface defense. I use the term packet instead of frame to refer to transmission entities at both the network and the data link layers. Why segmentation is important? Traditional networks resemble Figure 5-1. Perimeter defenses protect the data center from external threats with little protection against internal threat agents. Once on the wire, an attacker has free access to system attack surfaces. No system attack surface defense is perfect; eliminating unwanted access significantly reduces the r...

If you own a modern router, you probably have the option to use 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands – but what are those, and what should you do with them? The short answer is that they’re just two Wi-Fi bands that have been around for a long time, and you have two choices: keep 2.4GHz and 5GHz separate or unite them into a single SSID. Here we cover the concept of band steering and answer the question of whether 2.4GHz and 5GHz should be one network or two. What’s the difference? If you only have one network on your router, chances are that it is actually broadcasting on both the 2.4GHz (good for long range) and 5GHz (best for short range) bands and using a protocol called “band steering” to let your device switch automatically. If you see two networks, the bands have been split up, and you’ll have to manually choose when to change. There are pros and cons to both. Spoiler alert, though, band steering isn’t as seamless in practice as it is in theory. 2.4GHz was the original band used by most routers, and some older devices still solely support it. In theory, it’s not too much slower than 5GHz, but in practice, it experiences a lot more interference. Everything from Bluetooth to microwaves emits signals on the 2.4GHz frequency because the FCC designated it as the band for industrial use. On the flip side, it travels much further and is better at penetrating solid objects. 5GHz has So why not just ditch the 2.4GHz altogether? Firstly, if you have any older devices (think iPhone 4 or earl...

If you read our The need for subnetting was heightened by the desire to free up publicly accessible IPv4 addresses as the internet grew in popularity. Subnetting ended the hugely wasteful practice of assigning 16.7 million precious IPv4 addresses to a single organization (that would never exhaust them) by breaking Class A IPv4 ranges into smaller pieces, but that’s only part of the story. In everyday practice, splitting up private IT networks provides many other benefits as well. Benefits of subnetting on private IT networks 1. Setting up logical divisions Subnetting helps you maintain clean separations within a network. For example, you can define boundaries between different departments in your organization, with one subnet for sales, another for marketing, and a third for engineering. Alternatively, you could divide your network by floors in a building, or even create separate subnets for different device types such as VoIP phones, servers, and workstations. Additionally, your logically separated networks would behave almost as if they were physically separate without the need to re-cable much networking gear to make a change. 2. Improved network security With logical divisions between subnets, you have greater control over who has access to what. For example, in our departmental example, you could easily restrict those in engineering from accessing file server containing sensitive sales information, and prevent sales from accessing a share that houses classified engine...

This article was written by an independent guest author. If you follow cybersecurity current events, you may know that the cost and frequency of a data breach continue to skyrocket. Organizations are constantly under attack, and the shift to remote work is only exacerbating the problem. According to IBM’s 2020 The numbers agree: remote work has added $137,000 to the average breach cost. In 2021 and beyond, reactive security measures—typically cumbersome and costly—are no longer sufficient. Instead, proactive strategies that anticipate potential risks or vulnerabilities and prevent them before they even happen are required. One such strategy, network segmentation, is critical for any organization. If you’re not deploying network segmentation, it’s time to get started. What is network segmentation? Network segmentation is a process in which your network is divided into multiple zones, with specific security protocols applied to each zone. The main goal of network segmentation is to have a better handle on managing security and compliance. Typically, traffic is segregated between network segments using VLANs (virtual local area networks), with firewalls representing an additional layer of security for application and data protection. By separating your network into smaller networks, your organization’s devices, servers, and applications are isolated from the rest of the network. Potential attackers that successfully breach your first perimeter of defense cannot get further, a...

Question 1 2 pts Malika is a network engineer who is configuring firewalls separating both the Accounting and HR departments from the rest of the business divisions on the local area network (LAN). She wants to allow only certain traffic into those subnets from both internal employees and those working from home. The traffic may include email, chat, and video conferencing. She wants to prevent access to the company intranets in order to protect confidential employee and financial data. How has she configured these firewalls? Sieve Examiner Filter Blocker Question 2 2 pts Geraldine is a freelance network technician. She has been hired to design and build a small office/home office (SOHO) network. She is considering what firewall solution to select, keeping in mind that her client has a tight budget and the network is made up of no more than six nodes. Which of the following is the best solution? O Commercial software firewall O Next-generation firewall Personal hardware firewall integrated in the wireless access point or modem Commercial hardware firewall Question 3 2 pts Jae is a network consultant hired by a small business client. He has been asked to recommend a firewall solution. Given the relatively small size of the infrastructure, he suggests a firewall that provides integrated intrusion detection system/intrusion prevention system (IDS/IPS) functionality because a single device offering multiple functions is cost- and space-effective. What is the solution? O Virtual...

This is Chapter 5 in Tom Olzak ‘s book, “Enterprise Security: A practitioner’s guide.” Chapter 4 is available here: Attack Surface Reduction – Chapter 4 Chapter 3 is available here: Building the Foundation: Architecture Design – Chapter 3 Chapter 2 is available here: Risk Management – Chapter 2 Chapter 1 is available here: Enterprise Security: A practitioner’s guide – Chapter 1 In Chapter 4, we examined system attack surface reduction. The next step is moving out from systems to the network attack surface. Traditional flat networks present a single surface to the outside and almost nothing to internal threats. By segmenting a network, and applying appropriate controls, we can break a network into a multi-layer attack surface that hinders threat agents/actions from reaching our hardened systems. In this chapter, we step through a description of VLAN technology, how to secure it (including basic switch security), and how to control packets to increase the overall strength of attack surface defense. I use the term packet instead of frame to refer to transmission entities at both the network and the data link layers. Why segmentation is important? Traditional networks resemble Figure 5-1. Perimeter defenses protect the data center from external threats with little protection against internal threat agents. Once on the wire, an attacker has free access to system attack surfaces. No system attack surface defense is perfect; eliminating unwanted access significantly reduces the r...

This article explains the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model and the 7 layers of networking, in plain English. The OSI model is a conceptual framework that is used to describe how a network functions. In plain English, the OSI model helped standardize the way computer systems send information to each other. Learning networking is a bit like learning a language - there are lots of standards and then some exceptions. Therefore, it’s important to really understand that the OSI model is not a set of rules. It is a tool for understanding how networks function. Once you learn the OSI model, you will be able to further understand and appreciate this glorious entity we call the Internet, as well as be able to troubleshoot networking issues with greater fluency and ease. All hail the Internet! Prerequisites You don’t need any prior programming or networking experience to understand this article. However, you will need: • Basic familiarity with common networking terms (explained below) • A curiosity about how things work :) Learning Objectives Over the course of this article, you will learn: • What the OSI model is • The purpose of each of the 7 layers • The problems that can happen at each of the 7 layers • The difference between TCP/IP model and the OSI model Common Networking Terms Here are some common networking terms that you should be familiar with to get the most out of this article. I’ll use these terms when I talk about OSI layers next. Nodes A node is a physical elec...

Question 1 2 pts Malika is a network engineer who is configuring firewalls separating both the Accounting and HR departments from the rest of the business divisions on the local area network (LAN). She wants to allow only certain traffic into those subnets from both internal employees and those working from home. The traffic may include email, chat, and video conferencing. She wants to prevent access to the company intranets in order to protect confidential employee and financial data. How has she configured these firewalls? Sieve Examiner Filter Blocker Question 2 2 pts Geraldine is a freelance network technician. She has been hired to design and build a small office/home office (SOHO) network. She is considering what firewall solution to select, keeping in mind that her client has a tight budget and the network is made up of no more than six nodes. Which of the following is the best solution? O Commercial software firewall O Next-generation firewall Personal hardware firewall integrated in the wireless access point or modem Commercial hardware firewall Question 3 2 pts Jae is a network consultant hired by a small business client. He has been asked to recommend a firewall solution. Given the relatively small size of the infrastructure, he suggests a firewall that provides integrated intrusion detection system/intrusion prevention system (IDS/IPS) functionality because a single device offering multiple functions is cost- and space-effective. What is the solution? O Virtual...