1. Protect Against DDoS Attacks

The standard security best practices for generic and layered cybersecurity defense can provide reasonable protection against DDoS attacks. Yet some specific measures, such as vulnerability patching and IT hardening, can provide even better protection.

Patch & Update Resources

All resources should be patched and fully updated. For effective DDoS defense, priority for patching and updates should be placed on devices between the most valuable resources and the internet, such as firewalls, gateways, websites, and applications. IT teams should also perform the following actions:

• Perform vulnerability scans: Routinely use vulnerability scanning tools to discover any issues such as missing updates, patches, or misconfigurations. Vulnerabilities can arise from overlooked patches and outdated software.
• Implement patch management: Create a process to regularly prioritize, test, and deploy updates and patches to your devices and applications to ensure they are kept up to date with no errors or conflicts.

Harden Applications

Applications and websites can be hardened by making changes to your network, using application security tools, or penetration tests to probe for vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, or coding oversights. Specific attention should be given to attacks that might enable various types of DDoS attacks.

For example, adding captchas to verify human interaction on your website can defend against attackers using bots to send a large number of requests that can overwhelm and crash a server.

Lock Down IT Infrastructure

Servers, gateways, firewalls, routers, and other IT infrastructure can be hardened against attack by changing settings, adjusting configurations, eliminating unnecessary features, and installing optional features that provide additional network security.

Hardening includes, but is not limited to:

• Block network ports: Block unused ports on servers and firewalls.
• Restrict access: Limit some protocols to devices on the internal network.
• Enable rate limiting: Set or lower rate limit thresholds to drop packets when the other computer fails to reply or makes repetitive requests.
• Block half open connections: Enable time-outs for half-open connections.
• Set firewall rules: Configure your firewall to detect and drop spoofed, improperly formatted, or malformed packages.

For example, DNS servers can be specifically targeted by attackers and are vulnerable to various types of attacks. If the organization doesn’t use it, UDP access to port 53 (DNS) should be blocked.

Read our article for more information on how to prevent DNS attacks, including general best practices to follow and tips for specific DNS servers and types.

2. Deploy Anti-DDoS Architecture

In addition to hardening, the IT architecture can also be designed for more resiliency and security against DDoS attacks. IT teams that overprovision infrastructure, back up their systems, create redundancy, obscure potential DDoS targets, and isolate vulnerable devices can limit the effectiveness of DDoS attacks and strengthen overall resilience.

• Overprovision your infrastructure: When building out your network and equipment, estimate your bandwidth and then design for 200–500% of the baseline needs. While this can be expensive, the additional resources buy time to react to a DDoS attack.
• Back up critical components: Redundant devices or backup devices are required for a resilient architecture and can be used to restore systems quickly after a DDoS attack. Update the data regularly and only bring them online after the attack has been stopped.
• Add redundancy: Consider redundancy options like separating firewalls from routers, moving resources to the cloud, and distributing traffic across multiple data centers to avoid bottlenecks or single points of failure vulnerable to DDoS.
• Obscure the target: Obscurity makes attacks more difficult. Protect your internal networks by blocking ICMP or ping requests and adding additional layers of security like Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) or secure web gateways (SWGs) to hide IP addresses.
• Isolate resources: Content distribution networks (CDN) or Anycast networks send resources to different locations and IP addresses, making DDoS attacks less effective. You can also utilize network segmentation and access control lists.

3. Install Anti-DDoS Tools

In addition to hardening and design, organizations can obtain tools, download and install patches, or enable features that specifically protect against DDoS attacks based on their needs and budget. Some of these include:

• Anti-DDoS features: Check with your device’s manufacturer for any DDoS-specific features or patches to install on appliances like servers to defend against attacks; like the mod_reqtimeout module in Apache 2.2.15 that defends against the Slowloris attack.
• Routers and gateways: Oftentimes, routers and gateways have advanced features that can be enabled to mitigate DoS attacks. Network administrators or security teams can find these features in the device’s admin console and enable them as needed.
• Rate limiting: Response Rate Limiters (RRL) can be configured on network devices to stop various DDoS attacks, like blocking several identical requests from the same IP address or dropping several TCP requests with no response.

As a caution, hardening for security should not go so far as to destroy the functionality of the useful protocols. For example, make sure the updates and patches don’t conflict with another system on the network, or instead of blocking or dropping the packets from all sources, the ICMP can be limited to allow-listed IP addresses internal to the organization to enable the functionality while also blocking external DDoS attacks.

Additional DDoS Protection: Firewalls, Appliances & Services

While some firewalls can stop a DDoS attack alone, others need help. Firewalls traditionally formed the initial defense against external attacks, and modern firewalls can stop many of the older and simple DDoS attacks, such as IP Null attacks or ACK Fragmentation Floods. However, firewalls cannot stop attacks disguised as normal traffic (HTTP GET, HTTP POST, etc.) and can be overwhelmed with volumetric attacks.

Extra protection should be applied to protect exposed or critical resources such as application servers exposed to the internet or DNS servers and services. Various vendors offer software that adds anti-DDoS features to firewalls or hardware to specifically guard against DDoS attacks.

In addition, organizations can engage in cloud-based DDoS Solution providers such as Akamai, Cloudflare, and Amazon Web Services to provide enterprise encompassing solutions.

See our list of the best DDoS solutions and see how they compare to other vendors, strengths, weaknesses, and the cost to implement them in your organization.

4. Design a DDoS Response Playbook

After establishing a hardened and updated IT infrastructure protected with anti-DDoS architecture and tools, the IT and security teams need to create a DDoS playbook. A formal document can assist responding teams should a DDoS attack occur.

The response plan may include:

• Who to call: Contact information for the response team members, applicable vendors like internet service and hosting providers, professional incident response and security vendors, executives, and legal counsel.
• Infrastructure information: Network details such as IP addresses, failover devices, network maps, etc.
• Action plan: Steps to take in the event of a DDoS attack.

Practice the response plan at least once a year and routinely check to ensure all contact information in the playbook is still accurate. Some elements of the playbook may even be automated by some anti-DDoS tools, so additional security measures may be implemented to blunt the danger of the DDoS attack faster than people can react.

Read our guide on how to create an incident response plan and get our free template.

5. Deploy DDoS Monitoring

With hardened infrastructure and an effective playbook in hand, the IT teams and security teams can then use different monitoring tools to watch for signs of a DDoS attack in progress. Here are some tools you can use for monitoring your assets:

• Network monitoring: Network monitoring tools are hardware or software applications that track the behavior, traffic, and health of endpoints, firewalls, routers, switches, and servers.
• Security monitoring: Security monitoring tools collect and analyze network and device information to detect suspicious behavior and trigger alerts to IT and security teams.

These monitoring tools will establish ‘normal’ traffic baselines so that abnormal traffic patterns generate alerts. The earlier a team can detect an event in progress, the faster the attack can be resolved.

Teams should select a tool appropriate for the resource and set up alerts for typical indicators of DDoS attacks such as sudden bandwidth demand increases, anomalous traffic increases, or unusual traffic sources. Alerts can be routed to security incident and event monitoring (SEIM) tools, security operations centers (SOCs), managed detection and response (MDR) services, or even DDoS security specialists.

While automated responses can create fast reaction times and automatically stop DDoS attacks, they should be used carefully. False positives might lead to operation disruptions, so alerts still need to be evaluated by the security team.

Three Fundamental DDoS Defense Strategies: Pros & Cons

When implementing DDoS defense, the strategies can be performed manually by IT teams, purchased through on-premise hardware or software, or implemented by cloud-based or off-premise tools and services. While some of these technologies can overlap or reinforce each other, many organizations don’t have the resources to apply multiple solutions and must choose a single solution that fits their needs. Each of these options has significant pros and cons.

DIY DDoS Defense Pros & Cons

Do-it-yourself defense can certainly be deployed successfully against DDoS attacks. These defenses often consist of manually deployed settings on open source software, firewalls, and servers.

For example, manually adding IP addresses to deny lists can be easy, but often lags behind the constantly moving and evolving attacks; especially when facing botnets of thousands of endpoints, making manual IP deny-listing overwhelming.

On-Premises Defense Tools/Services Pros & Cons

Organizations can buy appliances and software specifically to defend against DDoS attacks. These tools can be deployed in front of resources to be protected (firewalls, servers, etc.) or installed on the resource themselves.

Using the previous example, an appliance or local firewall application may come pre-loaded with a list of well-known botnet IP addresses based upon the vendor’s experience. This blacklist will be much more comprehensive than a DIY list but will be part of a more expensive solution and will need regular updates.

Cloud-Based Defense Tools/Services Pros & Cons

Cloud-based DDoS protections tools provide more overarching security for the organization as a whole. Cloud hosted tools are often referred to as Software-as-a-Service, or SaaS. If possible, cloud-based tools are the best option of the three.

Using the IP deny-listing example, SaaS DDoS tools generally are pre-loaded with IP addresses for well-known malicious botnets that are much more comprehensive than a DIY list and will be continuously updated by the SaaS provider.

Bottom Line: DDoS Prevention Tools Are a Must-Have

DDoS attackers seek to prevent access to a resource for legitimate users. Depending upon the resource affected, denied access could be merely annoying or it could cause an entire enterprise to be disabled. When a DDoS attack succeeds, effective planning allows for quick recovery and limited damages. Large and small organizations will benefit from investing time and resources into protecting against DDoS attacks and IT infrastructure resiliency.

For a better understanding of DDoS attacks and the different characteristics, check out our complete guide on the types of DDoS attacks.

The post How to Prevent DDoS Attacks: 5 Steps for DDoS Prevention appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

When under siege from a DDoS attack, systems grind to a halt and often become entirely unresponsive. Defenders must move quickly to block the attack, which may require outside assistance or even temporarily shutting down the resource; determine the type of DDoS attack using logs, alerts, and other resources; and finally, recover from the attack by making changes to the security architecture and investing in tools to prevent future attacks.

Stage I: Containment

Once under a DDoS attack, resources perform sluggishly, and even changes to protect them can be difficult to execute. Although attacks cannot be fully stopped without identifying the attack, identification won’t be possible if the systems can’t be accessed due to the system being flooded with malicious traffic.

The attack must be stopped — even temporarily — to recover internal resources such as the CPU capacity and memory. Organizations that send logs to other resources (segregated storage, SIEM solutions, etc.) may be able to work on blocking the attack while determining the type of DDoS attack simultaneously.

Initial DDoS Response Tactics

Simple DDoS attacks can often be blocked using skilled internal resources. Yet, keep in mind that even basic DDoS attacks may need to be blocked upstream with the help of the host internet service provider (ISP), or else the blocked DDoS attack traffic can still threaten connection bandwidths and ISP infrastructure.

The initial DDoS response options you can choose from include calling your service provider (like internet and web hosting), contacting cybersecurity experts, making changes to your network to block the attack and strengthen DDoS protection, shutting down your services to make changes before going back online, and/or implementing new technologies for better protection.

Contact Your Service Providers

In some situations, simply contacting your internet or web hosting provider and notifying them of the situation can be all you need to stop a DDoS attack in its tracks. They may already know and are working on blocking the traffic. Service providers can confirm the existence of an attack and implement some changes to stop the malicious traffic from reaching your network. Some of these include:

• Increase bandwidth: Increasing the bandwidth can help you withstand a DDoS attack or mitigate it altogether, but may not be cost-effective.
• Change IP addresses/ranges: Changing your IP address and DNS information can stop the attack temporarily until the attacker targets the new IP address. In addition, several internal systems would need to be changed to reflect the new IP address.

Although contacting your service providers is helpful, it may not be enough. Typical internet bot DDoS attack sizes can reach 100 to 500 Gbps, with some larger scale attacks reaching over 100 million requests per second. Even the largest enterprises will struggle to block attacks of this scale without professional assistance.

Hire Cybersecurity Experts

Utilizing a combination of skilled professionals and high-end tools and services is one of the most effective ways to defend against DDoS attacks as well as protect yourself from attacks in the future. These can include:

• Cybersecurity professionals: Security consultants, managed detection and response (MDR) experts, and other professionals should be contacted to help stop the attack, improve systems against future attacks, and recommend other incident response tools and services.
• Cloud services: Cloud-based DDoS protection services often provide the most comprehensive option to block DDoS attacks, so organizations will often migrate some or all of their infrastructure to a cloud provider like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.

Be sure to update your access control lists to allow the connection between the services and the system being protected and block other connections so nothing bypasses the DDoS service. However, also keep in mind that even cloud providers cannot prevent DDoS attacks originating within the organization’s network.

Although having professional tools and services is worth the investment, it’s still an expensive one that surpasses any in-house solution and may not be an expense the company is ready to take on. In addition, finding a qualified professional while you’re actively being attacked may prove to be difficult and stressful.

Furthermore, security experts usually keep records of botnets and attack vectors, allowing them to act swiftly and even stop attacks before they’re activated.

Filter Targeted IP Addresses & Locations

Reviewing log files will often reveal valuable information regarding your network, including IP addresses and locations generating most of the DDoS traffic. You can then use this information to enable quick and inexpensive defenses on your network. Some options include:

• IP filtering: IP filtering will allow you to block specific IP addresses.
• Geo-blocking: Geo-blocking will allow you to block connections from a geographic location.

These can provide the much needed time for teams to develop and deploy other strategies, but are rarely a permanent solution since attackers can spoof their IP addresses or utilize botnets from unblocked regions, leading to a game of security whack-a-mole where defenders are constantly trying to keep up with attackers.

Also, any legitimate traffic from a blocked area won’t be able to access your resources, which can lead to financial losses and reputational damage in that region. Lastly, it’s usually recommended for these filters to also be applied at the ISP level to avoid being consumed with traffic that is being blocked.

Enable or Strengthen DDoS Protection Options

Organizations should check their existing resources (server software, router firmware, etc.) for DDoS protection options that may not yet be activated. Check your networking devices for the following security options:

• DDoS protection on routers: Enabling this helps protect your network against DDoS by monitoring the number of traffic packets entering your network.
• Rate limiting: Rate limiting is a security feature that limits the number of requests that can be made in a specific timeframe.

Since these features are already built into several network devices, it should be relatively easy and inexpensive to set up and get running on your network BEFORE an attack. They may not be effective during an attack, and you may not be able to deploy these features until after.

Shut Down Services

Sometimes shutting down the system under attack provides the best option. The service or resource can be isolated and hardened against further attack before it’s brought back online. Some examples are:

• Stop specific requests: If you notice you are being bombarded with a specific network request (i.e., SYN flooding), you can rate-limit the incoming connection requests.
• Block downloads: If a specific service is trying to download very large files, a defense might be to disable downloads temporarily without affecting the rest of the website.

This is a quick, inexpensive, and effective way to stop DDoS attacks on your service. But that downtime can also be disruptive and costly to the organization. Especially in the event of a full system shutdown.

Implement New Technology

This step requires the most planning and configuration and ideally should be implemented early on and not after an attack where decisions can be rushed and considerations can be overlooked. Some tools to consider include:

• Firewalls: A firewall is a tool that monitors network traffic and enforces security policies to block suspicious network activity or malicious attacks.
• Secure web gateways: This tool is similar to a firewall but primarily focuses on blocking suspicious web traffic.
• DDoS protection appliance: A DDoS protection appliance is a dedicated device designed to analyze network traffic to detect and stop DDoS attacks.

The downside to these tools is that they can be expensive and time-consuming to deploy and require a significant amount of resources for upkeep. In addition, they don’t protect against external attacks and may not scale quickly to protect against larger attacks.

Any organization under attack should explore all options and implement what they believe will offer the greatest chance of success based upon their immediate circumstances.

Non-Technical DDoS Responses

Even as the incident response team may be scrambling to cope with the DDoS attack, the organization must still deal with other stakeholders. After the attack, follow the non-technical responses below:

• Notify executives and stakeholders: All executives and stakeholders need to be notified and constantly updated in accordance with the organization’s incident response plan.
• Establish internal communications: Inform employees about the availability of internal resources or alternative methods to accomplish their duties.
• Coordinate public relations: Contact customers about system status in accordance with the incident response plan.
• Contact your insurance provider: Cybersecurity insurance companies, regulators (Security and Exchange Commission, etc.), and law enforcement must be notified.

Management should embed non-technical assistance into an incident response team to coordinate, manage, and execute written, verbal, and phone communication with stakeholders. Executives may even want to embed someone on the team with the authority to authorize expenses or to coordinate the rapid authorization of purchases needed to recover from the DDoS attack.

Check out our full article on how to create an incident response plan, which includes a free template to start from.

Internal vs. External Attacks

The initial DDoS techniques mentioned above apply to all attacks. However, depending on the type of DDoS attack and the architecture affected, some techniques will be more useful than others. You will need to know the difference between protecting internal networks and external resources like video game systems from DDoS attacks.

Stop Internal & External Router, Server & Website DDoS Attacks

Assets exposed to the internet for utility, applications, and websites often will be targeted by DDoS attackers because they are the easiest to affect. Servers hosting or supporting these resources will often suffer CPU, memory, and bandwidth overload.

These attacks will be very different from internal DDoS attacks on servers and routers, which target the internal networking protocols and resources. Still, once an attack begins, the steps to protect each of these different resources will be quite similar.

1. Block the Initial Attack

Examine the log files and begin to block the IP addresses associated with the attack (internal or external), geofencing to block specific regions, or, for internal attacks, even power down compromised local devices generating traffic.

However, there may be circumstances that don’t permit shutdown of the DDoS attackers. For example, if an attacker turns the respirator machines of the hospital into a botnet, the hospital cannot simply turn off the respirators without severely affecting patient health.

Additionally, many attackers will be sophisticated enough to switch tactics and sources once they realize the attack has been blocked. Still, while blocking may only be effective temporarily, it will help to buy time for more effective protection to be implemented.

2. Side-Step the Attack

If blocking proves ineffective, try changing the server IP address, router IP address, or website URL to move the server out of the path of the DDoS attack. As with blocking the attack, this may only be a temporary reprieve, but it can buy time to implement other tactics that take more time to execute.

3. Stop the Service

If blocking or side-stepping the attack does not work, the organization may need to stop the service under attack (such as a PDF download, shopping cart, internal router, etc.).

Stopping a website, application, or internal network in part or entirely will be so disruptive that this step should not be taken lightly. It should only be pursued if steps 1 and 2 cannot provide enough time to pursue other steps below.

4. Enable Additional Protections

While part of the incident response team attempts to stop the existing attack, other members should be working on enabling other protection against DDoS attacks in these ways:

• Call the ISP: The ISP can help with setting up external DDoS protection services for websites, applications, and publicly exposed devices under attack (firewalls, servers, routers, etc.).
• Evaluate firewall protections: Installing WAF services or adjusting your current WAF settings and policies can bolster your network defenses to block the attacks, or you can reroute your internal traffic through next generation firewalls (NGFW).
• Adjust rate limits: Configuring rate-limiting on your network devices can change request thresholds for existing firewalls, servers, and other related resources to limit the amount of traffic coming into your network.
• Add tools: Adding or upgrading protection for networks and websites, network security products, network intrusion detection systems (IDS) and intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and cloud firewall solutions like FWaaS can protect you from future attacks. 
• Getting help: Hiring an incident response or managed IT security service (MSSP) vendor can help locate and remove the malware driving the DDoS attack.

However, be aware that additional protections can affect existing architecture or performance. For example, load balancers may be bypassed by DDoS tools, or the packet inspection of DDoS protection appliances may introduce lag time for traffic.

Also keep in mind that a forensic or security investigation will become part of the recovery process, especially for any attack that might trigger cybersecurity insurance claims. The initial infection, access points, malware, and changes to systems introduced by attackers will need to be located and removed to prevent future DDoS attacks or other types of attacks (ransomware, data theft, etc.).

Learn more about the best forensics tools used by experts, including their key features, pricing, and how they stack up against other tools.

Stop External Router or Video Game System DDoS Attacks

Smaller businesses, game servers, and streamers often connect their routers directly to the internet and attackers can find their IP addresses to target them. With no IT professional supporting the environment, attacks on these exposed systems can result in complete shutdown of internet access. Some ways to stop these attacks are changing your IP address, enabling defensive features in your equipment, and adding extra layers of security.

1. Reset the IP Address

The fastest method to dodge a DDoS attack is to reset the IP address. There are several ways to accomplish this:

• Fastest method — Unplug: Unplug the router, game system, and sometimes also the modem. Router IP address reset can take as short as 5 minutes to assign a new IP address or as long as 24 hours, depending upon the ISP.
• Best method — ISP Contact: Contact the internet service provider (ISP); some ISPs limit changes in IP address and need to be contacted directly, but ISPs can also implement additional security or offer additional services to block DDoS attacks.
• Admin console IP Reset: Log into the router console as an admin via a web browser and change the IP address; check the router’s manual for instructions.
• Command Prompt IP Address Reset: Release and renew the IP address using the command line prompts like ipconfig (Windows, MacOS) or ip (Linux); MacOS users can also use advanced system preferences to select TCP/IP and “Renew DHCP Lease.”

Of course, this technique renders the internet or network unavailable until the router is restarted, and attackers can still search for the new IP address to attack the router.

2. Activate DDoS Defense Options

You can also explore defensive options in the equipment you use. Some defense options are:

• Router protection: Check your router administration consoles and manuals for additional DDoS protection options that can be enabled or strengthened. These can be activated quickly, but may affect performance.
• Upgrade equipment: Older routers or consumer-grade routers may lack features to protect against modern DDoS attacks and other common network threats. Consider upgrading to devices with more security features or capacity.
• Enable privacy mode: Some game consoles have privacy and online safety options available in the menus that can be used to minimize public information. For example, Xbox has a ‘private mode’ feature and is available under More Options>Xbox Settings>Privacy and Online Safety.

3. Add Layers of Protection

To block future attacks against routers, consider adding additional layers of protection:

• Add appliances: Add network protection devices like firewalls, secure web gateways, and DDoS protection between the router and the internet.
• Upgrade or add professional-grade devices: Consider purchasing newer routers and next-generation firewalls that provide more security.
• Cloud-based protection: Add cloud solutions such as FWaaS or DDoS protection service from a vendor such as Cloudflare or Sucuri.
• VPN network service: Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to obscure IP addresses; however, it can add ping because of extra network hops. Gamers and streamers can look for VPN services with low-latency connections and secure IP addresses.

The best choice will depend on the budget and technical capabilities of the organization or person as well as how quickly the solution needs to be put into place.

Stage II: Analysis

Some attacks become obvious because everything grinds to a halt, but often there will be a period in which the resource “acts strange” as it struggles with the early stages of a DDoS attack. In either case, the attack cannot be completely stopped unless it’s recognized, the logs are reviewed to characterize the type of DDoS attack, and possibly trace the attack to the source.

Recognize the Signs of DDoS Attack

The first signs of a DDoS attack will be delays. Applications will be slow to proceed, websites will be slow to load, servers will be slow to respond to requests, etc.

Users behind an internet connection under attack may find themselves cut off from the internet or unable to use local resources. Network operations centers, firewall monitoring tools, cloud usage tools, and other monitoring solutions may catch spikes in network or internet traffic.

Deep into the attack, resources will simply become unavailable — even to run diagnostic tools or to access log files and other reports. Teams should respond as quickly as possible or ensure resources prioritize sending logs out for analysis.

Examine & Analyze Logs, Alerts & Records

Ideally, the first indicators of trouble will come in the form of logs and alerts from monitoring tools and software checking for bandwidth, application performance, memory, or CPU issues. Alerts can help a response team jump into action and prevent the DDoS attack before it takes down resources.

TIP: Document everything. These records from the DDoS attack hold valuable information for several teams and stakeholders, including the following:

• Incident Response teams: Digital Forensics and Incident Response teams will use the logs to assist them in their analysis of the attack to better understand what happened and how to prevent future attacks.
• Cybersecurity Insurance: Most cybersecurity insurance companies will require a copy of the logs with the reports when reviewing a claim to calculate damages.

Without alerts, an organization may have to rely upon customer or internal complaints, which may be delayed due to the congested resource (application, server, etc.), or until the entire network is crippled by the DDoS attack.

Attack Characterization

Attack characterization helps to separate attack traffic from legitimate traffic and to determine the type of attack. For example, attacks using protocols to disable infrastructure will require a different response than an application-level attack targeting a specific function in an application.

With so many different types of DDoS attacks, it can be difficult to determine exactly which one may be deployed. However, the response team will analyze the logs to find information regarding the attack and potential defenses.

A digital forensic investigation may be required for DDoS attacks to determine how the malware entered the network and launched the DDoS. Investigators will collect the evidence and ensure attackers and malware have been removed from the network.

Attack Traceback

DDoS attack traceback seeks to identify the source of the DDoS attack. For example, if the attack can be traced back to a range of IP addresses, the attack can be blocked through IP Blocking. However, tracing can be extremely challenging and may not lead back to the actual attacker.

Stage III: Recovery

Organizations that can quickly eliminate a DDoS attack may suffer no more than inconvenience. Organizations that are not so fortunate will need to assess the damage, make any needed adjustments required from the DDoS remediation, determine what immediate steps to take for preventing recurrence of that DDoS attack, and consider other preventative measures.

DDoS Attack Damage

Damage from DDoS attacks vary from organization to organization and will depend upon the resources affected. However, a recent survey from Corero estimates that DDoS attacks can cost organizations hundreds of thousands of dollars per hour and up to $1 Million for larger organizations, averaging a little over $6,000 a minute. However, none of these reports account for other costs or the loss of business and reputation.

After a DDoS attack, organizations will need to document their costs and damages for insurance and to create an estimate to budget for tools and services to prevent future DDoS attacks.

DDoS Remediation Adjustments

In the scramble to stop the attack, organizations may make changes to the architecture or software that inadvertently causes other issues. Part of the recovery process requires examining the infrastructure to detect and fix those broken components or links. For example, moving a website behind a DDoS filtering service provider may only move the main domain. Sub-domains may need to be migrated manually.

Similarly, integration with other third-party tools may require additional configuration. For example, a publishing website could discover that their web content management system no longer correctly connects to the published content protected by the DDoS provider and that changes may be required to reconnect to it.

For DDoS attacks launched within the network, individual computer systems may need to be sanitized to remove malware or an attacker’s ability to access the device for future attacks. Sometimes this may also trigger data and system recovery needs.

DDoS Attack Lessons Learned

Generate a lessons-learned report that explains everything that happened and clearly explains how to protect against similar attacks. Mitigation should be enacted immediately, but if that is not practical, the mitigation should be planned and proposed for budgeting as soon as possible.

The costs to remediate the DDoS attack and any business losses from the downtime will provide a rough target for comparison with the mitigation budget.

If the attack was significant in size or impact, report the incident to law enforcement or industry organizations such as CERT. Reporting attacks can build profiles of major attackers and help in taking down major botnets like 911 S5 and Raptor Train.

Navigating the 3 Stages

Incident response teams often find themselves executing these stages simultaneously. Additionally, as attackers observe the defender’s actions, they will often change tactics and require the defending team to iterate between these stages and the steps within them.

Of course, the specifics of each stage will be highly customized and will depend on many factors, starting with the type of DDoS attack, the resource under attack (router, website, app, server, etc.), and the DDoS protections or mitigations already in place.

Additionally, the IT architecture, the resources of the defender, and the dedication of the attacker will also play significant roles in how the stages and techniques must be navigated.

Fortunately, ISPs and vendors can provide professional DDoS protection services for those in need. However, several tasks they perform are similar to what we covered, with the difference being potentially more experience and more sophisticated tools.

The OSI Model & DDoS Attacks

All communication on a network is sent as network packets. As each computer or firewall receives the packet, the device will check for the contents and handle the packet according to the instructions in the header. DDoS attacks abuse these packets and attempt to exploit potential weaknesses to overload systems. The different layers of the OSI model can be used to determine the type of DDoS attack:

However, knowing which layer is under attack does very little to help block or stop the attack. At their essence, all attacks generally fall into two categories: 

• Infrastructure Layer Attacks (Layers 3, 4): These DDoS attacks affect firewalls, servers, and routers with volumetric or malformed packet attacks. ISPs and hosting partners can typically help with these attacks if they are external.
• Application Layer attacks (layers 6, 7): These attacks target websites and applications by overloading information requests. They can be stopped by web application firewalls but may require additional features like adding captchas to block automated requests.

After executing the three critical stages to stop a DDoS attack, an organization will find themselves in a better position. However, recovery alone cannot prevent future DDoS attacks because they only address the last attacks. The best way to stop a DDoS attack will always be for organizations to be proactive and add defensive measures before they’re attacked.

5 Steps to Prevent Future DDoS Attacks

IT and security teams can deploy many options in preparation for a DDoS attack that will help to control and manage the future impact when one occurs. Some of these include:

1. Harden against attacks: Update, patch, and change settings to protect resources against attacks.
2. Deploy anti-DDoS architecture: Configure resources and implement policies that protect resources from potential attacks and minimize the impact of a successful attack.
3. Use anti-DDoS tools: Enable features and add tools to detect and protect against or mitigate the effects of DDoS attacks.
4. Design a DDoS Response Playbook: Create a plan for how security, operations, and management teams will respond to a DDoS attack.
5. Install DDoS Monitoring: Install monitoring to watch and alert staff of signs of an attack.

An organization also should consider the possible motivations of the attackers. Some DDoS attacks may be used as a distraction or cover-up for other attacks such as espionage, ransomware, or business email compromise. Any DDoS playbook should also include activating 

Learn more on how to prevent DDoS attacks in five steps, as well as three fundamental defense strategies.

Top 3 Anti-DDoS Vendors

While a significant threat, anti-DDoS measures should not be so optimized that they compromise other priorities for operations and security. The best web application firewall options that will help mitigate DDoS attacks include AppTrana, Cloudflare, and F5.

AppTrana

AppTrana is a fully managed web application firewall (WAF) powered by AI, that includes web application scanning for getting visibility of application-layer vulnerabilities; instant and managed risk-based protection with its WAF, Managed DDOS and Bot Mitigation service, and several other features. All backed with a 24×7 Managed Security Expert service to provide custom rules and policy updates with zero false positive guarantee and promise.

AppTrana offers a 14-day free trial of their WAF, and pricing starts at $99 a month for their Advanced tier. Customers can request a demo and get pricing for their premium and enterprise offerings.

Cloudflare

Cloudflare is a web infrastructure and cybersecurity company specializing in protecting websites and organizations from cyberattacks. The Cloudflare WAF uses threat intelligence and machine learning to defend against cyber threats.

Cloudflare does offer a free plan. However, its functionality is very limited compared to their other plans that start at $20 a month for the pro license and increase to $200 a month for the business license (when paid annually).

F5

F5’s award-winning WAF offers features like behavioral analytics and machine learning to in-browser data encryption and more to inspect and block any malicious activity. Their SaaS-delivered WAF is quick to set up and deploy, and easy to manage.

Pricing is not available on the F5 website. However customers can contact them for a trial or demo, or they can use F5’s Distributed Cloud pay as you go service, available on the AWS marketplace.

When choosing vendors for anti-DDoS tools or services, it is important to work with DDoS specialists. However, these vendors, like any other IT measures, should fit into the overall IT and security strategies that provide fundamental defense against DDoS attacks on websites (web application firewalls, etc.), applications (application security, etc.), or networks (firewalls, etc.).

Types of DDoS Protection Solutions

When considering tools for protection, the solutions often break down into three classifications: Do-it-yourself (DIY), on-premises appliances, and off-premises tools. Each style has inherent pros and cons:

• DIY tools: These are typically created from Open Source Tools, which means they are usually free or have a lower cost than commercial tools. The drawback is that they tend to require expertise to integrate and have limited filtering capabilities and scalability.
• On-premises appliances: On-prem tools can be installed locally, have good filtering capabilities, and are simpler to use and integrate. However, these tools can be expensive, have limited scalability, and are only compatible with specific infrastructure.
• Off-premises protection: These tools are cloud-hosted tools, often referred to as Software-as-a-Service, or SaaS. Cloud based tools are usually easy to use and integrate and the scalability and compatibility. The one downside to cloud based protection is cost.

Ultimately, the tradeoffs revolve around price, speed, and control. DIY tools will always cost the least and offer full control but won’t respond quickly or scale easily to handle large attacks. Scaling represents capacity but also directly affects speed since a device that is over its capacity lengthens the time for recovery.

On-premises appliances can enable more speed and full control but will cost more and have limited scale. Cloud-hosted tools will always react faster and can deploy nearly unlimited scale, but will cost more and also lie outside of the direct control of the organization.

Bottom Line: Prepare Now or Suffer Later

With the increasing sophistication and capabilities of attackers, defenders must be on alert. Not only will stopping DDoS attacks become more difficult, but attackers will also continue to increase the speed at which they exploit windows of opportunity. Organizations should prepare now for future DDoS attacks and take advantage of the capable tools and services available to help them.

Learn about the best tools to defend against bots that cause DDoS attacks. In the article, you’ll find their features, pros and cons, and more.

The post How to Stop DDoS Attacks in Three Stages appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

Many organizations now use these certifications as a requirement for hiring. At the same time, IT professionals gauge their peers’ skills and dedication through the types and levels of certifications obtained. In 2025, staying certified ensures you remain competitive in an evolving field.

Cybersecurity Certification Comparison Chart

IT and security professionals need different cybersecurity certifications in their careers. Initially, entry-level certificates open opportunities to move into your first cybersecurity positions, but later, advanced or specialty certifications will validate experience and open doors to even more opportunities.

For additional insights, industry podcasts can be a valuable resource — check out this list of top cybersecurity podcasts for expert perspectives and the latest trends in the field.

Top 5 Best Cybersecurity Certifications

1. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is a globally recognized entry-level certification that establishes foundational cybersecurity skills. Covering topics like network security, threat management, cryptography, and risk management, it provides an excellent starting point for launching a career in cybersecurity. This certification equips candidates with the essential knowledge to secure information systems and networks effectively.

Who Should Get This Certification?

CompTIA Security+ is tailored for individuals starting on their cybersecurity careers or those who wish to solidify their foundational knowledge in the field. It is particularly beneficial for roles such as:

• Security Administrator: Responsible for maintaining the security of the organization’s network and systems.
• Systems Administrator: Ensures the functionality and security of computer systems, often implementing security measures.
• Network Administrator: Manages the organization’s network infrastructure and is crucial in safeguarding against cyber threats.

This certification not only helps beginners break into the industry but also serves as a valuable credential for experienced professionals looking to validate their skills.

Exam Pricing & Format

• Pricing: The exam fee for CompTIA Security+ is approximately $392. This investment is generally considered reasonable, given the certification’s reputation and the opportunities it can unlock for candidates.
• Format: The exam consists of 90 questions, including multiple-choice and performance-based questions that assess real-world problem-solving skills in a simulated environment.

Exam Requirements

While there are no formal prerequisites for taking the CompTIA Security+ exam, it is strongly recommended that candidates have at least two years of IT experience and a foundational understanding of networking concepts. Familiarity with basic security principles will also benefit candidates during their studies and exam preparation.

Exam Prep

Candidates preparing for the CompTIA Security+ exam can access various resources, including official CompTIA courses taught by certified instructors and online training platforms like Udemy and Pluralsight. Practice exams help familiarize them with the test format, while various books and study guides provide detailed insights and additional practice opportunities.

Salary Range & Sample Job Listings

• Salary Range: Individuals holding the CompTIA Security+ certification can earn between $55,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on their experience, job role, and geographical location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with more experience or in higher-demand areas may command higher salaries.
• Sample Job Listings:
  • Security Analyst: Responsible for monitoring and defending an organization’s networks and systems against threats.
  • Systems Administrator: Maintain and secure the company’s IT infrastructure, ensuring all systems run efficiently and securely.
  • Network Security Engineer: Specializes in protecting network integrity and security, often designing security measures to safeguard networked systems.

2. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is a highly respected credential in the cybersecurity industry, administered by (ISC)². It validates expertise in designing, implementing, and managing cybersecurity programs, covering risk management, asset security, and security architecture. This certification is ideal for professionals aiming to establish themselves as leaders in the field.

Who Should Get This Certification?

CISSP is tailored for seasoned cybersecurity professionals ready to elevate their careers. Ideal candidates for this certification typically hold roles such as:

• Security Consultant: Offers expert advice to organizations on best security practices and risk mitigation strategies.
• Security Manager: Oversees an organization’s security policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulations and effective risk management.
• IT Director: Responsible for an organization’s overall technology strategy, including cybersecurity initiatives.

This certification is especially beneficial for individuals seeking leadership positions, as it demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of information security and the ability to manage complex security environments.

Exam Pricing & Format

• Pricing: The exam fee for the CISSP is approximately $749, which reflects its status as a premier certification in cybersecurity.
• Format: The exam employs computerized adaptive testing, consisting of 100 to 150 questions that adjust in difficulty based on the test taker’s responses. This format allows for a more personalized assessment of knowledge and skill levels.

Exam Requirements

To be eligible for the CISSP certification, candidates must meet specific requirements, including:

At least five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains outlined in the (ISC)² CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). These domains include:

• Security and Risk Management
• Asset Security
• Security Architecture and Engineering
• Communication and Network Security
• Identity and Access Management
• Security Assessment and Testing
• Security Operations
• Software Development Security

If a candidate does not have the requisite experience, they may still take the exam and earn an Associate of (ISC)² designation, which allows them to work towards the required experience over time.

Exam Prep

Candidates preparing for the CISSP exam can choose from several options. Official (ISC)² training courses offer comprehensive coverage of exam topics, often led by experienced instructors. Intensive online boot camps provide a focused, fast track to certification. Study groups encourage peer support and accountability, while various study guides and practice exams offer detailed explanations and practice questions to enhance preparation.

Salary Range & Sample Job Listings

• Salary Range: CISSP-certified professionals typically earn between $100,000 and $160,000 annually, with variations based on experience, location, and specific job roles. As cybersecurity threats continue to escalate, demand for certified professionals remains high, often resulting in competitive salaries.
• Sample Job Listings:
  • Information Security Manager: Responsible for developing and enforcing policies to protect an organization’s information assets.
  • IT Security Consultant: Provides insights and solutions for enhancing an organization’s security posture, including risk assessments and vulnerability management.
  • Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): A senior executive responsible for an organization’s information security strategy, overseeing the security team, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

3. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, offered by the EC-Council, equips IT professionals with essential skills to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in systems and networks. Focusing on ethical hacking techniques, it emphasizes understanding the mindset of malicious hackers to better defend against cyber threats. This credential is crucial for advancing careers in cybersecurity, particularly in penetration testing.

Who Should Get This Certification?

The CEH certification is ideal for IT professionals specializing in ethical hacking and penetration testing. It is well-suited for individuals in roles such as:

• Penetration Tester: Responsible for simulating cyber attacks on an organization’s systems to identify weaknesses and recommend security improvements.
• Security Analyst: Focuses on monitoring and analyzing security incidents, assessing vulnerabilities, and implementing strategies to enhance the organization’s security posture.
• Network Engineer: Works on designing and implementing secure network architectures, ensuring that all systems are resilient against potential cyber threats.

This certification is particularly beneficial for those looking to transition into offensive security roles or enhance their skills with ethical hacking knowledge.

Exam Pricing & Format

• Pricing: The CEH exam costs approximately $1,199, which reflects the comprehensive nature of the training and certification process.
• Format: Candidates will face 125 multiple-choice questions during the exam, testing their knowledge of various ethical hacking tools and techniques and their understanding of security protocols and best practices.

Exam Requirements

To qualify for the CEH certification, candidates must meet specific criteria:

• At least two years of work experience in the Information Security domain is recommended. Alternatively, candidates can attend an official EC-Council training program to waive this requirement.
• Candidates should possess foundational knowledge in networking and basic security principles to facilitate their understanding of the exam content.

Exam Prep

Candidates preparing for the CEH certification can utilize various resources, including official EC-Council training courses that offer comprehensive instruction and hands-on labs. Additionally, numerous online platforms provide tailored courses, video tutorials, and interactive exercises. Study guides and practice exams from various authors also help candidates cover exam topics and assess their readiness effectively.

Salary Range & Sample Job Listings

• Salary Range: Professionals holding the CEH certification typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, with the potential for higher salaries depending on experience, location, and specific job roles within the organization.
• Sample Job Listings:
  • Penetration Tester: Conducts simulated attacks to uncover vulnerabilities in systems and applications, providing detailed reports on findings and recommendations for remediation.
  • Ethical Hacker: Works on the front lines of cybersecurity, using hacking techniques to assess the security of networks and systems, ensuring robust defenses are in place.
  • Security Consultant: Advises organizations on security best practices and strategies, often conducting assessments and vulnerability tests to enhance overall security measures.

4. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification, offered by ISACA, validates expertise in information systems auditing, control, and security. Tailored for professionals ensuring information systems’ integrity, confidentiality, and availability, CISA is increasingly in demand as organizations prioritize cybersecurity and risk management.

Who Should Get This Certification?

The CISA certification is specifically designed for:

• IT Auditors: Professionals who assess and evaluate an organization’s information systems and processes to ensure compliance and security.
• Audit Managers: Individuals overseeing audit teams and ensuring the quality and integrity of audit processes within their organizations.
• Consultants: Those providing expert advice on information systems and security, helping organizations improve their governance and risk management practices.
• Security Professionals: Individuals looking to demonstrate their proficiency in information systems auditing and enhance their cybersecurity and risk management career prospects.

Exam Pricing & Format

• Pricing: The CISA certification exam costs approximately $575 for ISACA members and $760 for non-members. This pricing structure encourages membership within ISACA, providing additional resources and networking opportunities.
• Format: The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, designed to assess candidates’ knowledge across various domains related to information systems auditing and control.

Exam Requirements

To be eligible for the CISA certification, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Professional Experience: At least five years of professional experience in information systems auditing, control, or security is required. This experience helps ensure that candidates possess the necessary practical knowledge to perform in the auditing role effectively.
• Domain Experience: Candidates must have specific experience in at least two of the five CISA domains, which encompass areas such as information system auditing processes, governance and management of IT, and information systems acquisition, development, and implementation.

Exam Prep

Candidates preparing for the CISA certification can utilize various resources, including ISACA’s official review courses for structured study, comprehensive study guides and online materials for concept understanding, and practice exams to familiarize themselves with the test format and question types.

Salary Range & Sample Job Listings

• Salary Range: Certified CISA professionals can earn between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on factors such as experience, geographic location, and the specific nature of their roles.
• Sample Job Listings:
  • IT Auditor: Responsible for assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of an organization’s information systems and controls, ensuring compliance with regulations and best practices.
  • Audit Manager: Oversees audit activities and manages audit teams, ensuring the organization’s financial and operational audits’ accuracy and integrity.
  • Compliance Analyst: Focuses on ensuring that the organization adheres to internal policies and external regulations, particularly concerning information security and data protection.

5. ISACA Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control® (CRISC®)

The Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control® (CRISC®) certification, offered by ISACA, is designed for IT professionals focused on managing risk, implementing effective controls, and ensuring robust governance.

As businesses increasingly navigate complex regulatory environments and cybersecurity threats, CRISC certification equips professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with information systems.

Who Should Get This Certification?

The CRISC certification is particularly suited for:

• Risk Analysts: Professionals who assess potential risks to information systems and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• IT Managers: Individuals responsible for overseeing IT operations, ensuring that risk management and governance frameworks are implemented effectively.
• Compliance Officers: Those tasked with ensuring that organizations adhere to relevant regulations and standards, particularly concerning information security and data privacy.

Exam Pricing & Format

• Pricing: The exam fee for CRISC certification is approximately $575 for ISACA members and $760 for non-members. Membership with ISACA provides candidates with access to a wealth of resources and professional networking opportunities.
• Format: The certification exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, evaluating candidates’ understanding of risk management concepts and their ability to apply them in real-world scenarios.

Exam Requirements

To qualify for the CRISC certification, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Professional Experience: Candidates should possess at least three years of experience in risk management and information systems control, ensuring they have a solid foundation in the subject matter.
• Domain Knowledge: Experience must be in at least two of the four CRISC domains, which include:
  • Risk Identification
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Response and Mitigation
  • Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting

Exam Prep

Candidates preparing for the CRISC certification can benefit from several resources. ISACA offers detailed review guides covering the exam content, while various online courses and webinars provide flexible learning options. Practicing with sample questions and exams helps candidates familiarize themselves with the format and reinforce their knowledge.

Salary Range & Sample Job Listings

• Salary Range: Professionals holding a CRISC certification can expect salaries ranging from $90,000 to $140,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location.
• Sample Job Listings:
  • Risk Manager: Responsible for developing and implementing risk management strategies, assessing potential threats, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
  • Compliance Specialist: Focuses on monitoring and enforcing compliance with laws and internal policies, working closely with various departments to ensure adherence.
  • IT Risk Analyst: Analyzes potential risks to IT systems, assesses vulnerabilities, and recommends strategies for mitigating risks and enhancing security.

For those interested in getting started in a cybersecurity career, here is a useful resource on How to Get Started in a Cybersecurity Career. This guide provides practical insights and tips for anyone looking to break into the field, helping to bridge the gap between entry-level certifications and the skills required for a successful career in cybersecurity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Do You Prepare for Cybersecurity Certification?

To prepare for cybersecurity certification, review the exam requirements to assess your knowledge. Experienced candidates may find inexpensive study guides sufficient, while others might need comprehensive self-study or instructor-led courses. Most certification programs offer low-cost study guides, practice tests, and courses on their websites.

Additionally, numerous third-party resources, including Coursera, Cybrary, ITPro.tv, Training Camp, and Udemy, are available for further preparation.

Which Cybersecurity Certification Should I Get First?

If you’re just starting out, earn one or more of the top entry-level certifications to secure your first role in cybersecurity. After gaining 2–5 years of experience, consider advancing with a career-focused or specialized certification to expand your opportunities.

To stay updated and informed, follow experts in the field; check out this guide to top Twitter cybersecurity voices (formerly Twitter) for insights and trends.

How Do I Know Which Advanced or Specialty Certification Is Right For Me?

To find the best advanced or specialty certification for your career goals, consider your interests and review job listings for the required certifications in your desired roles over the next 3–10 years. If you’re still unsure, explore the LinkedIn profiles of admired colleagues, peers, or industry influencers to see their certifications. This can highlight respected certifications that align with your interests and validate your skills.

Can You Get a Cybersecurity Job with Just Certifications?

Certifications verify knowledge or experience but must be combined with other factors to land a job. The basic requirements for employment also include an appropriate job history for the position, effective communication during interviews, and a good fit for the hiring organization’s needs.

Bottom Line: A.B.C. (Always Be Credentialing)

In the constantly changing cybersecurity landscape, credentials are essential for career growth, skill validation, and staying competitive. Certifications showcase expertise and keep professionals aligned with industry standards and best practices. By consistently pursuing relevant certifications, you demonstrate a commitment to professional development and adaptability, which are highly valued field traits.

Remember, in cybersecurity, always be credentialing: staying up-to-date ensures you’re prepared to meet new challenges, build resilience in your career, and open doors to exciting opportunities. Additionally, understanding industry services like Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) can further enhance your strategic value in the field.

The post 5 Best Cybersecurity Certifications to Get in 2025 appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

That makes ASM’s ambitions much greater than legacy vulnerability management tools. Attack surface management aims to automate discovering, assessing, and prioritizing vulnerabilities and third-party, digital supply chain, and cloud risks. It addresses both internal and external (EASM) risks. CAASM (cyber asset ASM) and DRPS (digital risk protection) are also related terms and elements of ASM.

Here are our seven picks for the early leaders in the attack surface management market:

• CyCognito: Best for uncovering attack vectors
• Google Cloud Security by Mandiant: Best for identifying and managing your external attack surface
• Palo Alto Cortex Xpanse: Best for continuous monitoring and managing surface attacks
• Microsoft Defender: Best external surface defense tool
• CrowdStrike Falcon Surface: Best cloud-based ASM solution
• Tenable: Best for external attack surface management
• IBM Randori: Best for attack surface simulation and testing

Top Attack Surface Management Software Comparison

Here is a comparison of the top attack surface management tools, followed by in-depth reviews.

CyCognito: Best for Uncovering Attack Vectors

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CyCognito finds concealed attack routes by modeling adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). It creates a comprehensive picture of your attack surface, including assets typical security solutions can’t see. Its technology manages the attack surface by recognizing, prioritizing, and removing external security issues. CyCognito also provides information on a company’s digital footprint, including unknown and shadow IT assets.

Pros

• Comprehensive visibility
• Automation features
• Real-time threat intelligence
• Risk prioritization
• User-friendly
• Compliance support

Cons

• Can generate false positives
• Limited to external threats
• Effectiveness depends on regular vulnerability database updates

Pricing

Through its SaaS architecture, CyCognito provides tiered pricing for security testing, intelligence, and premium support. Pricing is dependent on the quantity of Internet-facing assets.

• Starts at $11 per asset per month
• The entire expense for a 12-month commitment is $30,000
• A 24-month package is offered for $60,000 in total
• Businesses can choose a 36-month package for $80,000 in total

Key Features

• Zero-input discovery
• Contextualization
• Security testing
• Prioritization
• Remediation acceleration

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Mandiant Attack Surface Management: Best for Identifying & Managing External Attack Surfaces

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Mandiant Attack Surface Management (ASMS) is a cloud-based solution that helps organizations identify, assess, and manage their external attack surface. Google-owned Mandiant provides a comprehensive view of all internet-facing assets, including public-facing websites, subdomains, cloud resources, and third-party assets. ASMS also provides insights into the risks associated with each asset and how to mitigate them.

Pros

• Accurate IOCs
• Easy API integration
• In-depth vulnerability understanding
• Optimized threat intelligence
• Quick reporting of zero-day vulnerabilities

Cons

• Needs adjustments in feeds according to threat profiling, requiring ongoing attention
• Support response delays
• Complex architecture during implementation and in the system’s architecture

Pricing

Mandiant Attack Surface Management doesn’t reveal pricing, but a free trial is available on their signup page.

Key Features

• Continuous exposure monitoring
• Operationalize expertise and intelligence
• Assess high-velocity exploit impact
• Identify unsanctioned resources
• Digital supply chain monitoring
• Subsidiary monitoring

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Palo Alto Cortex Xpanse: Best for Continuous Monitoring & Managing Surface Attacks

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Palo Alto Cortex Xpanse is best for continuously monitoring and managing your attack surface. It provides a real-time view of assets and the risks associated with them. Cortex Xpanse also provides insights into how attackers target your organization and how to defend against them.

Pros

• Cloud-based and highly scalable, catering to the needs of large enterprises
• Behavior alert functionality
• Detailed reports allow drilling down into vulnerabilities, with information on the severity and likelihood of exploitation
• Highly intuitive UI, making it easy to access and understand information
• Works across cloud, hybrid, and on-premise environments, ensuring comprehensive security coverage

Cons

• SIEM tool integration challenges reported
• Cloud-based nature affects performance on certain browsers
• Depth of visibility into attack chains is limited
• Additional licensing may be required

Pricing

Palo Alto Cortex Expander web-based subscription platform covers 999 AUM and Basic Customer Success support, all for an annual price of $95,000 per unit.

Key Features

• Addresses security blindspots
• Helps eliminate shadow cloud
• Improves zero-day response
• Merger and acquisition (M&A) evaluation
• Scalable across environments

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Microsoft Defender: Best for External Surface Defense

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Microsoft Defender is best for organizations that are already using Microsoft security solutions. It offers an all-encompassing attack surface management solution connected with other Microsoft security solutions. In addition, Microsoft Defender integrates seamlessly with the larger Microsoft ecosystem, allowing enterprises to capitalize on synergies across several platforms and apps. This integrated strategy improves security by enabling more efficient threat detection, response, and repair operations.

Pros

• Microsoft Defender External Attack Surface Management takes a proactive approach to controlling external attack surfaces, allowing businesses to keep ahead of possible attacks
• Automates asset discovery by searching the internet and network, resulting in a list of actionable items for InfoSec and Infrastructure teams
• Multicloud view and threat intelligence
• Real-time protection and integration

Cons

• Limited to the Microsoft ecosystem
• Users struggle with customization and a complicated interface
• The tool may generate false positives, necessitating manual verification, and it extensively relies on automation, resulting in occasional failures
• Requires Microsoft Defender for Endpoint subscription and can have integration issues with legacy systems

Pricing

• Microsoft Representative: $0.011 asset/day
• Azure Portal: $0.011 asset/day

Key Features

• Real-time inventory
• Exposure detection and prioritization
• More secure management for each resource

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CrowdStrike Falcon Surface: Best Cloud-Based ASM Solution

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CrowdStrike Falcon Surface is ideal for businesses seeking a cloud-based attack surface management solution. It gives you a complete picture of your attack surface, encompassing assets on-premises, in the cloud, and hybrid settings. Integration with the Falcon platform also makes it ideal for existing CrowdStrike customers.

Pros

• Leverages cloud and AI-based technology
• Customized threat detection
• Covers a wide range of devices and operating systems
• Custom reports
• Accuracy in uncovering risks

Cons

• Can be expensive for SMBs
• Requires high-speed internet due to its cloud-based service
• Interface can be complex for beginners

Pricing

• Falcon Pro: $99.99/device per year
• Falcon Enterprise: $184.99/device per year
• Falcon Elite’s price: upon request

Key Features

• Adversarial-based risk prioritization
• Guided remediation
• AI-powered analytics identify critical exposures
• Asset discovery

Screenshot

Tenable Attack Surface Management: Best for External Attack Surface Management

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Tenable Attack Surface Management continuously maps the environment and discovers connections to internet-facing assets, allowing you to quickly identify and analyze the network security posture of your entire external attack surface. Its continuous mapping and monitoring capabilities give real-time data so you can stay ahead of new threats and make educated defensive decisions.

Tenable helps you analyze the present security posture and execute proactive steps that increase your overall resilience against external attacks by providing complete insight into internet-facing assets and their interconnections.

Pros

• Maps externally visible infrastructure and keeps this info up to date
• Can show scan findings in its Business Context to aid in management reporting
• Very good asset management
• Strong vulnerability scanning engine

Cons

• Takes time to get used to navigating the platform
• Some filters can be hard to find
• You may need to pay for additional components for full visibility across your tech surface

Pricing

• Multi-year license:
  • 1 Year: $4,588.50
  • 2 Years: $8,947.57 (Save $229.43)
  • 3 Years: $13,077.22 (Save $688.28)
• Advanced Support: $460
• Nessus Fundamentals: $316.25

Key Features

• Advanced technology fingerprinting identifying common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs)
• Thousands of software versions
• Geolocation
• Programming frameworks
• Continuous dynamic data refreshes
• Attack surface change alerts

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IBM Security Randori: Best for Attack Surface Simulation & Testing

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IBM Security Randori is a cloud-based attack surface management tool that assists businesses in identifying and mitigating security flaws. Randori employs a novel technique to attack surface management that the company calls adversary simulation. Adversary simulation includes mimicking an attacker’s behavior to find security flaws that might be exploited.

Pros

• Comes with a target temptation tool that users give high marks to
• Continuous perimeter monitoring for external cyberattacks in real time
• Helps identify blind spots and obsolete assets

Cons

• Doesn’t have an email alert for updates and upgrade recommendations
• Not all defensive tools are available globally

Pricing

IBM Security Randori doesn’t publicly display its ASM pricing. However, they offer a free 7-day trial, which you can access through their website.

Key Features

• External reconnaissance
• Discovery path
• Risk-based prioritization
• Remediance guidance
• M&A risk management
• Shadow IT discovery

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Key Features of Attack Surface Management Software

Features and capabilities can vary in the emerging attack surface management market, but here are some essential features to look for in ASM solutions:

• Asset discovery: Safeguard assets housed on partner or third-party sites, cloud workloads, IoT devices, abandoned or deprecated IP addresses and credentials, Shadow IT, and more.
• Business context and importance of an asset: Once assets have been discovered, you must assess their business context and importance. This will help organizations prioritize their remediation efforts and focus on the most critical assets.
• Continuous risk assessment: Assessing vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, data exposures, and other security gaps constantly changes as new assets are added, vulnerabilities are discovered, and misconfigurations are introduced. Continuous risk assessment helps organizations identify and address risks as soon as they emerge.
• Prioritization: Once risks have been identified, it’s important to prioritize them based on the likelihood of exploitation and the potential impact on the business.
• Remediation plan: A thorough remediation plan is critical for minimizing identified risks and strengthening an organization’s cybersecurity posture. It provides a strategy roadmap adapted to the organization’s issues, guaranteeing focused and proactive efforts to counter potential risks.
• Validating fixes: Once fixes have been implemented, the next step is to test them to ensure they are effective.
• Reporting: Attack surface management requires regular reporting to help organizations track their progress in reducing risk and identify areas for improvement.
• Integration with SIEM, ITSM, and CMDB: Other security solutions, such as security information and event management (SIEM) systems, IT service management (ITSM) systems, and configuration management databases (CMDBs), should be integrated with attack surface management solutions. This integration assists enterprises in streamlining their security operations and improving the efficacy of their attack surface management program.

How to Choose the Best Attack Surface Management Software for Your Business

When choosing an attack surface management software for your organization, look for one that offers a comprehensive view of your environment and continuous monitoring, provides insight into risks, integrates with your existing infrastructure, and is scalable. Here are some of the issues for potential buyers to consider.

• The size and complexity of your attack surface: The sophistication and functionality required in an attack surface management system are determined by the size and complexity of your attack surface. If your attack surface is broad and complicated, you’ll need a solution to find and analyze all of your assets, including known and unknown, third-party, and cloud assets.
• Your security budget: Attack surface management software can cost thousands to tens of thousands each year. Be sure to select a solution that matches your budget and security requirements.
• Your existing security infrastructure: If you currently have a lot of security solutions in place, you will need to select an attack surface management solution that interfaces with your existing infrastructure. This will assist you in streamlining your security operations and avoiding redundant work.
• Your risk tolerance: The amount of security you require from an attack surface management system is determined by your risk tolerance. You can pick a less expensive option with fewer features if you have a high-risk tolerance. If your risk tolerance is low, you may need to pick a more expensive option with additional features.
• Your individual/business requirements: Besides the broad considerations above, you should consider your specific requirements when selecting an attack surface management system. For example, if you work in a regulated business, you may need to select a certified solution to satisfy specific compliance criteria.

How We Evaluated Attack Surface Management Software

For our analysis of the attack surface management product market, we gave the highest weight to product capabilities, as ASM is a technology that requires broad reach and functionality. Other considerations included ease of use and deployment, user feedback, price and value, reporting, asset discovery, automation, integration, risk prioritization, and more.

Attack Surface Discovery & Assessment Capabilities – 50%

We looked at how well ASM products discover and identify assets and risks, the breadth of environments covered, and automation features such as risk prioritization, patching and mitigation recommendations, and validation.

Ease of Use & Deployment – 20%

Attack surface management tools cover a lot of risks, assets, and environments, so their ease of use is significant for overburdened security teams. This also includes false alerts and the amount of tuning required.

Pricing & Value – 20%

We looked at both the price of the products and the relative value and breadth of features that users get for that price.

Additional Features – 10%

These include integration with other tools like SIEM, CMDB, and CI/CD tools, as well as reporting, including compliance features.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is the Significance of ASM in Business?

ASM is critical because it enables firms to identify and manage security threats in advance, creating a solid defense against cyberattacks.

What Distinguishes ASM from Standard Security Measures?

ASM focuses on mapping the attack surface, including hidden or undisclosed assets, delivering a more complete security strategy, and going beyond tools like vulnerability management.

What Characteristics Should I Look for in ASM Software?

In an ASM solution, look for effective threat exposure detection and remediation, user-friendly interfaces, seamless integration with remediation tools, real-time threat information, and thorough reporting capabilities.

Is ASM Appropriate for Small Businesses?

Yes, ASM is effective for all sizes of enterprises. Many ASM solutions provide scalable choices to meet small organizations’ unique requirements and budgets.

Is It Possible to Combine ASM Software with Current Security Tools?

Yes, ASM software is designed to integrate effectively with other security solutions, thus improving the overall security architecture.

How Frequently Should ASM Scans Be Performed?

To keep up with the changing nature of digital assets and evolving risks, regular ASM scans should be performed, ideally on a frequent, if not continuous, basis.

Is ASM Software Resistant to Zero-Day Vulnerabilities?

Yes, by delivering real-time threat intelligence and response capabilities, ASM software can be successful against zero-day vulnerabilities.

What Industries Are the Most Benefited by ASM Solutions?

Because of their superior threat detection and response capabilities, ASM solutions help industries dealing with sensitive data, such as banking, healthcare, and government.

Bottom Line: ASM Reduces Attack Surfaces

Attack surface management software is a welcome evolution in vulnerability management, securing digital assets by discovering, analyzing, and maintaining a wide range of assets and environments that attackers may try to exploit.

The best ASM provider must be chosen carefully, considering criteria such as the size and complexity of the attack surface, security budget, current infrastructure, risk tolerance, location and type of sensitive data, and unique features that match an organization’s needs. A solid reputation and track record are also necessary, and the vendors we’ve reviewed here can meet these criteria.

The post 7 Best Attack Surface Management Software for 2025 appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

Setting up a virtual local area network (VLAN) can be a complicated process, especially if you’re operating a large enterprise network, a network with legacy or hybrid architectures, or a network with specific workloads that require additional security and regulatory compliance safeguards.

Each VLAN configuration process will look a little different, depending on the specifications you bring to the table, and some of these steps — particularly steps five through eight — may be completed simultaneously, in a slightly different order, or even in a more automated fashion if you choose to set up a dynamic VLAN.

Still, in general, your network stands the best chance of success if you complete the following 12 VLAN configuration steps and document your processes, strategies, and requirements along the way.

1. Brainstorm VLAN Groupings

In a traditional local area network with no virtualized barriers, all devices and network components communicate and share information with each other; you’re likely setting up a VLAN in the first place because this foundational setup is too loose for your requirements. But what are the ideal segments that will make your network function optimally and securely?

At this point in VLAN creation and configuration, it’s time to determine what VLAN groupings make the most sense for your network’s strategic complexities. Consider not only how many VLANs you’ll need but also the purpose each VLAN will serve and how they need to be set up to fulfill that purpose. While many organizations stick to more traditional boundaries like physical locations or departments, there may be more effective and secure ways for you to group and set up VLAN rules.

For example, if your company works closely with a third-party professional services firm that needs access to certain HR and security applications and data but not others, you could divide your VLANs based on which ones need looser versus stricter identity and access management controls. From there, determine which users and devices will align with and be assigned to each grouping.

2. Prepare Unique VLAN IDs

Every single VLAN you set up will need a unique VLAN identification number so you can segment network traffic to the appropriate places and keep documentation organized for multiple VLANs simultaneously. VLAN IDs are purely numeric and range from one to 4,095. While you don’t necessarily “need” these VLAN IDs to be operational yet, it’s a good idea to figure them out now so you can use them when labeling your network diagram in the next step.

3. Create a Logical Network Diagram or Map

Before you even begin setting up your VLANs and connecting devices and switches, the best way to ensure a successful VLAN network setup is to map out the specificities and relationships of your network with a network diagram. The labels and connections you illustrate at this stage of VLAN creation will give you the labels and organizational structure you need to keep track of all the devices, switches, routers, and other components necessary to fulfill your architectural plans.

Your team may choose to create this diagram manually or with tools that are already in your portfolio. However, a number of free and low-cost network diagramming tools specifically offer templates and icons that make it easier to illustrate the network you’re setting up, often with low-code/no-code interfaces and tools. If you’re interested in finding a network diagramming tool to make this step more efficient, consider investing in one of these top network diagram software and tooling solutions.

4. Optional: Purchase Additional Equipment

Based on the VLAN grouping requirements and design(s) you’ve developed in the previous three steps, you should have a clearer picture of any missing hardware or software that you need to purchase. Perhaps you have more VLAN groupings than you expected and need to bring in additional switches and routers. Or maybe your organization is growing quickly, and you want to purchase new switches with more ports for more devices. There’s also the possibility that you are moving from a primarily on-premises network setup to a hybrid or cloud setup that requires new software or third-party relationships.

Regardless of your new requirements, start by creating an inventory list of any networking equipment you currently own, including information about switch and router formats, configurations, port counts, speeds, and other details pertinent to VLAN setup. From there, make a separate list of the networking tools you’re missing, the cost of these missing tools, and any other specialized information that should be considered during the buying process. 

5. Connect Network Devices to Appropriate Switch Ports

You should now connect VLAN servers, end-user devices, and other relevant network devices — as long as their IP addresses are already configured — to the switch ports that have been selected for the corresponding VLAN group. While individual devices, ports, switches, and routers have not yet necessarily been configured in their settings to align with a certain VLAN and function, you should still know which devices and network components have been set aside for which VLANs. If you’re unsure about the switch ports that should be connecting to each device, reference your network diagram (or go back to the network diagramming stage and create a more detailed diagram). 

If you are opting to create a dynamic VLAN instead of a static VLAN, steps five through eight may look a little different for you. For example, you may spend these steps creating or identifying the appropriate rule-based protocols for your devices and setting up automation rules rather than manually connecting ports and devices to VLANs.

6. Configure Switch Ports

Now that your devices are connected to the correct switch ports, it’s time to configure the switch ports so they can perform according to their assigned functions. Many of your ports will simply need to be set up as access ports in the switch’s settings; an access port is a simple connection that allows devices to connect to only one VLAN. Access ports are most appropriate for devices and users that will not be using VLAN tagging or participating in inter-VLAN routing. 

Trunk ports are also configured in a switch’s settings, but they are designed to manage higher bandwidth traffic and can manage traffic for more than one VLAN. Devices should only be connected to trunk ports if they have been authorized and configured for VLAN tagging and inter-VLAN routing. Before moving on to the next step, double-check that devices are connected to the correct type of switch port for their operational needs.

7. Set up VLAN Specifications via Network Switch Settings

All of the prework is done: It’s time to actually create the virtual local area networks you want through network switch settings. You’ll do this by accessing your network switch management interfaces and going to the section where you can create VLANs. Create the number of VLANs you determined were necessary in previous steps and assign them the unique VLAN IDs you selected in step two.

8. Assign Switch Ports to VLANs

Again, keep in mind that steps five through eight may go in a slightly different order, depending on your team and their preferences. So if you have not yet assigned switch ports to the appropriate VLAN, it’s time to do that now. Tagged ports (trunk ports) are likely already associated with the correct VLANs, but you should confirm that they are set up correctly at this time. For untagged ports (access ports), you’ll need to manually connect them to the correct VLAN. Remember, trunk ports can be associated with more than one VLAN, if appropriate.

9. Optional: Add VLAN Tags

VLAN tagging is the process through which VLAN network traffic is further segmented and specialized. When VLAN tags are in use, associated devices and ports automatically interact with devices and ports that share those same tags; however, tags also give network administrators the power to further direct traffic and support case-by-case inter-VLAN routing scenarios. 

VLAN tagging is most appropriate for networks with complex traffic patterns and a diverse range of users, devices, and security permissions. If you choose to set up trunk ports with multiple VLANs running through them, as demonstrated in step six, you’ll need to make sure at least some of your VLANs receive tags so traffic doesn’t get muddled in trunk ports. 

If you’re not sure if your network would benefit from VLAN tags, read this in-depth article on the topic to help you make your decision: Tagged vs. Untagged VLAN: When You Should Use Each.

10. Optional: Configure Inter-VLAN Routing

If your network requires VLAN-to-VLAN communication as a part of its regular operations, you’ll want to use the VLAN tags you set up in the previous step to direct inter-VLAN routing. While it sounds counterintuitive to open traffic flow between VLANs, many organizations choose to do this because the different layer at which routers operate makes it possible for them to still control what types of traffic flow across VLANs and when and how devices and users move from VLAN to VLAN. As part of the inter-VLAN configuration step, you may also need to set up or double-check your VLAN access controls, ensuring only approved users and devices can take advantage of inter-VLAN routing.

11. Quality-Test Your VLAN

Now that everything’s set up, it’s time to test network connectivity and performance. Make sure that all devices within the same VLAN are able to interact with each other and, conversely, that they are not able to reach devices in other VLANs. Ping and traceroute are both effective tools for testing VLAN connectivity and performance, but a number of other network security and management tools may be appropriate as well.

12. Document and Reassess VLAN Performance Periodically

Enterprise networks in particular frequently change as more devices and users, new hardware and software requirements, and new operational and security use cases arise. Network administrators and/or network security team members should maintain an up-to-date network diagram, equipment inventory, changelogs, and other configuration documentation so it’s easy to see what the network looks like now, if and where any vulnerabilities have reared their heads, and if any other changes are necessary to improve network performance. Each time you go through this process, update your documentation so you have a full history of the network and what you’ve done to maintain it.

Should You Use a Static VLAN or Dynamic VLAN?

Static and dynamic VLANs bring different advantages to network administrators, depending on the size, complexity, and requirements of their network. Below, we’ve explained how each type works and when you should use it.

Static VLAN

Static VLANs exist when network administrators manually connect network devices to physical switch ports and those devices receive their VLAN assignment based on that connection. If the device ever needs to be reassigned to a new VLAN, the network administrator would physically connect it to a new switch port that is already associated with that VLAN. In other words, a static VLAN is one in which switch ports are assigned to VLANs and devices are not assigned to VLANs; they receive their orders directly from the switch port they’re connected to.

This type of VLAN is best for smaller networks, or networks that change infrequently and include fewer VLAN segments because network administrators have to manually connect (and sometimes reconnect) devices to the right ports for them to work. With a larger network that’s changing frequently, this task alone could become a full-time job and riddled with errors. Static VLANs are most advantageous for network administrators who need an easy-to-setup VLAN with predictable infrastructure and limited authentication needs.

Dynamic VLAN

A dynamic VLAN is one in which devices are assigned to that VLAN on a dynamic and semi-automated basis. Specialized criteria determine which devices are assigned to which VLANs and when. These criteria may include specialized network access controls and protocols, VLAN membership policy servers (VMPS) and databases, or some other combination of servers and data-driven rules. With a dynamic VLAN, devices are assigned to VLANs while ports frequently are not assigned to particular VLANs; they are simply the conduit through which pre-assigned device traffic flows.

Dynamic VLANs are best for larger and more complex networks that need to maintain frequently changing authentication and usage rules. It’s a much more difficult implementation process when compared to static VLAN, but for more strenuous network rules and requirements, dynamic VLAN ultimately saves network professionals time in the long run, as they can simply update protocols and VMPS entries when new VLAN assignments are needed across multiple devices.

Bottom Line: The Importance of Preparation for Optimal VLAN Performance

While the actual process of setting up a VLAN can be as simple as updating network switch settings and connecting devices to VLAN switch ports, the strategy behind a successful VLAN setup can be much more daunting. You’ll need to consider any specialized security or compliance requirements, the different device types that need access, and the resources and monitoring it will take to set up and sustain an efficient VLAN. 

All the steps listed above are crucial aspects of creating and configuring a sustainable VLAN network. But perhaps the most important step of all is documenting your thought process and your network architecture, especially as they change over time. Maintaining detailed documentation will help your existing network and security team members stay on top of the most pertinent network updates and issues while simultaneously ensuring that any future members of the team receive the foundational training necessary to successfully work in your VLAN ecosystem.

Read next: What Is Network Security? Definition, Threats & Protections

The post How to Set Up a VLAN in 12 Steps: Creation & Configuration appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

Also referred to as a perimeter network or screened subnet, a DMZ network acts as an additional layer of network security, isolating itself and its contents from the parts of the enterprise network where more sensitive and private resources are more securely kept. While users can interact with public networks and whatever resources are provided in the DMZ, DMZ perimeter security keeps the organization’s private network private and secure from outside users.

A Comprehensive Guide to DMZ Networks

• What Is the Purpose of a DMZ Network?
• How DMZ Networks Work
• 5 Benefits to DMZ in Networking
• 4 DMZ Networking Examples
• DMZ Network Best Practices
• Bottom Line: DMZ Networks

What Is the Purpose of a DMZ Network?

The purpose of a DMZ network is to balance reasonable access to resources with effective isolation and security measures.

For companies that offer digital products and services, chances are they want some of their resources to be available for customers, while other data and systems need to remain hidden from external users. An effective way to make sure users can only access the resources they need is to isolate them in a new subnetwork or network segment with its own access, security, and operational rules.

DMZ networks typically contain external-facing resources such as DNS, email, proxy and web servers.

DMZ networks are also helpful for separating out third-party servers, routers, and other technologies and platforms that don’t have as many manageable security features and controls built in. By isolating these less secure assets in a single location, network administrators can easily monitor and identify anomalous network traffic before it breaches the main network.

DMZ networks are primarily used to manage outside user access and give network administrators more network security and monitoring support. However, when your DMZ network includes a proxy server, administrators also have the option to filter all internal internet usage through the DMZ. This approach requires employees to use public networks according to their organization’s rules while also giving network security professionals additional visibility into internet usage across the organization.

Also read: Network Protection: How to Secure a Network

How DMZ Networks Work

DMZ networks work through isolation, but first, through network segmentation. Network administrators that want to create a DMZ need to first determine which parts of their network should be available for outside users. They can also use this time to identify any network components that operate with lesser security controls that put the rest of the network at risk.

These are the kinds of servers and resources you’ll often find on a DMZ network:

• VoIP servers
• Proxy servers
• Web servers
• Email servers
• DNS servers
• FTP servers
• Third-party routers and servers
• Other external services, resources, and servers

Now, these resources need to be isolated from the rest of the enterprise network and placed on a DMZ subnetwork. The DMZ should be set up with at least one gateway device (typically a firewall) that will filter external network packets through to the DMZ and monitor for unusual traffic or activity. In many cases, a dual firewall layout is implemented for a second round of network packet filtering before the LAN (see image below).

Many DMZs and the firewalls that protect them include advanced security features and tools, such as network access control (NAC) technology and proxy servers for optimized traffic monitoring. These and many other network security solutions are ramped up specifically on the DMZ, making it so network administrators can often detect unusual behavior before unauthorized users try to move past the DMZ to access the LAN.

DMZ Architecture

There are two main layout options to choose from when developing a DMZ subnetwork: a single firewall layout and a dual firewall layout.

With a single firewall layout, the firewall sits in the middle of the private LAN, the DMZ, and the public network; no users can travel directly from one of these networks to another without first passing through the centralized firewall, which filters and monitors all traffic. This model is much easier to implement, but it is generally considered less secure since only one firewall needs to be compromised for a successful cyberattack to breach the LAN.

In a dual firewall layout, two different firewalls are used for tiered network packet filtering. The front-end firewall sits between public networks and the DMZ to filter and manage traffic before it enters the DMZ. If a user attempts to move from the DMZ to the LAN, a back-end firewall sits between these two networks to further filter and authorize traffic. The dual firewall setup is generally considered more secure, but it’s also harder to manage.

See the top next-generation firewalls (NGFWs)

5 Benefits to DMZ in Networking

DMZ networks provide the isolation necessary to protect the main network from public-facing threats, but they also create an environment where focused security tools can be used to monitor and protect vulnerable DMZ resources. These are some of the benefits you can expect from the implementation of a DMZ model:

Isolation adds an additional layer of protection

DMZ development requires network administrators to segment their networks so potentially unsecure and public-facing resources are identified and isolated from everything else. This isolation is particularly valuable when organizations need to work with resources or servers that have fewer native security controls, such as FTP servers.

These kinds of servers and modern technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and operational technology (OT) are important to overall network operations but can be detrimental to everything else on the network if breached. When these kinds of resources are isolated in a dedicated environment like a DMZ, even successful security breaches aren’t likely to reach the LAN.

Avoids common network performance lags

Especially for resources that your customers will regularly be accessing, high speeds and performance are key to the user experience. DMZs are designed in a way that optimizes network performance because they separate frequently used and high-workload resources, like web servers, from the rest of the internal network. With that separation, network admins are able to optimize the DMZ for high traffic volumes without affecting internal network resource allocation.

Focused security tools and notifications

DMZ isolation can offer great support for internal network security, but DMZ networks themselves are also ideal environments for security tools. Most DMZs incorporate multi-functional firewall technology as well as network access control, proxy servers, information security policies, network monitoring, vulnerability management, and other features to protect the environment and alert network administrators when something’s amiss.

Learn about the 34 Most Common Types of Network Security Protections

Compatibility with proxy servers

If your organization implements network access control tools and specific rules on its DMZ network, you can require all internal traffic moving toward the internet to follow specific rules and visit only approved IP addresses. This is because DMZ networks are compatible with proxy servers that make this kind of traffic steering possible.

Proxy servers are also helpful for monitoring types and quantities of traffic. Proxies on DMZs are particularly helpful for healthcare organizations and other industries in which compliance management and data security are crucial operating factors to consider.

See the top secure web gateways

Improved visibility for network administrators

Network administrators have a lot of network features, functions, users, devices, and applications to manage at all times. Especially on networks with limited network security personnel, it can quickly become overwhelming to monitor and address all network security issues. It’s even more difficult if your network uses tools that have limited security features and require more hands-on monitoring than everything else.

With a DMZ in place, network administrators are able to divide up different types of network resources into the main network and the DMZ subnetwork. This division makes the more problematic security configurations readily apparent in the DMZ network. 

Because admins manage both environments, they still have as much control over these resources as they did before. Now, they simply have a more efficient way to monitor vulnerable network assets and services.

4 DMZ Networking Examples

A DMZ can help any organization with a main network and web-facing assets, but here are a few specific use cases where a DMZ can help.

Data-driven user experience on a company website

Whether you’re running an e-commerce business or are a healthcare provider, you likely have a customer-facing website that enables users to make purchases and complete other actions with company data and systems. This website requires a web server running on your network.

Unless the network is segmented, unauthorized users could potentially move from the website and data they’re supposed to access into the rest of the private network. With a DMZ, the web server and other customer materials are isolated from a company’s private assets, making it so users cannot easily move laterally from the web server to the internal network.

See the Top Microsegmentation Software

Hybrid cloud environments

Let’s say your company has been operating for multiple decades and has some of its most important assets and applications on-premises. However, many other applications and services you now use are hosted in the cloud.

In this hybrid cloud environment, you have resources on-premises that need to interact with your cloud assets, but at the same time, you don’t want both aspects of your network to have full, unbridled access to each other. In this scenario, a DMZ network can be set up between the cloud environment and the on-premises network to audit and filter traffic moving between the two.

See the top cloud security companies

Production and manufacturing device security

Manufacturers and critical infrastructure industries are increasingly investing in newer technologies like IoT and OT devices, which open up businesses to new operational use cases — and new security vulnerabilities. Most of these kinds of tools are designed to store and transmit a lot of data but don’t necessarily have many security features in place, due to the speed and capacity required of these tools. When an IoT or OT device operates on the same networking plane as other assets, then, it opens all of them up to greater security risk.

DMZs can isolate these kinds of devices from the rest of the network, making them accessible internally and externally while upholding firewall filtering rules to limit any lateral movement if a breach occurs.

DMZ hosts for home computer networks

Home computer networks are much smaller but still contain personally identifiable information (PII) and other features for which you’ll want to limit access to known users. Unfortunately, home networks tend to be easy to hack due to limited security investments on the part of the owner.

A DMZ host is an easy thing to set up with existing technologies in your home, such as a gaming console. The selected host device sits outside of the firewall and acts as a filter for all incoming traffic, giving the rest of your devices and your internal network more protection from unauthorized outside users. For this use case, it’s important to select a DMZ host device that contains minimal sensitive data and private information, as it will be outside of the firewall’s protection.

DMZ Network Best Practices

Setting up a DMZ network can be a great security addition if it’s configured correctly. Consider these best practices and tips during your implementation process for better outcomes:

Label all networks and network segments

As obvious as it may sound, you need to clearly label each part of your network so it’s clear what’s operating where, how, and why. This will save time during initial setup, make ongoing reconfigurations easier, and also create usable documentation if your network security team changes over time.

Clearly define and enforce isolation rules

Your DMZ is only as effective as the filtering rules and policies you set up. It’s important to research every feature of your network and be able to justify why something does or does not need to go into the DMZ; similarly, it’s important to program your firewalls and any other security tools you set up on the DMZ to reflect and enforce your security policies for all device and traffic types.

Also read: Fine-tuning Firewall Rules: 10 Best Practices

Use a dual firewall strategy for added protection

A dual firewall setup is harder to manage than a single firewall, but it’s also more effective at filtering out malicious traffic. If you plan to implement a dual firewall architecture, consider working with a different provider for each firewall to diversify your security setup and make it more difficult to take down all infrastructure in an attack.

Choose the right kinds of firewalls

Not all firewalls are created equal and not all firewalls work for the same scenarios. Because you’re trying to filter traffic at a very granular level that’s driven by applications and individual users, a proxy firewall or application-level gateway is typically the best option for your DMZ.

Also read: Types of Firewalls Explained

Incorporate zero trust best practices

DMZs work best in cooperation with zero trust network access (ZTNA). With ZTNA solutions, traffic is denied unless it explicitly passes your predefined user access control policies. Combined with DMZ isolation, it’s a great way to stop unauthorized access to the LAN.

Don’t forget vulnerability management

Vulnerability management tools, like vulnerability scanners and vulnerability assessments, are incredibly helpful assets for regularly monitoring network traffic in a DMZ. But don’t just invest in vulnerability management solutions; also take the time to develop a vulnerability management policy and process that makes sense for your organization.

Monitor and audit DMZ performance over time

Be sure to invest in tools and personnel for DMZ traffic monitoring, as it may require more constant and vigilant oversight than the rest of the network. As new tools, applications, and users are brought onto your enterprise network, frequently evaluate whether or not they should be moved to the DMZ and what changes will be necessary if that move happens.

See the Top Network Detection & Response (NDR) Solutions

Bottom Line: DMZ Networks

Some people now consider DMZ networks outdated or ill-fitting for the modern enterprise network, especially since many networks have moved past technologies like internal web servers in favor of cloud computing and cloud-hosted networks. There are also several newer networking and security options, such as SD-WAN, containerization, virtualization, SASE, and ZTNA, which seem to offer more comprehensive security support for modern cloud environments than DMZ’s form of perimeter security.

However, DMZ still proves useful in many cases, especially when hardware or on-premises networks need to be part of a secure and integrated environment with access management rules. When a DMZ network is implemented in the right scenarios, your business can more easily isolate unsecure devices, operate hybrid networks with appropriately-integrated legacy components, and streamline the network monitoring process for network administrators.

Further reading:

• Best Enterprise Network Security Tools & Solutions
• Top Secure Email Gateway Solutions

The post What Is a DMZ Network? Definition, Architecture & Benefits appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

Here are the five best rootkit scanning and removal solutions:

• Malwarebytes
• Avast One
• AVG Antivirus
• GMER
• Sophos Rootkit and Bootkit Detection and Removal

Rootkit Scanners Compared

The following table briefly overviews my five top rootkit scanners’ features and pricing options.

	Rootkit Removal	Ransomware Protection	Anti-Tracking Functionality	Pricing
Malwarebytes				• Basic rootkit scanner: Free • Paid plans: Starting at $3.75/month
Avast One				• Basic: Free • Silver: Starting at $2.99/month
AVG Antivirus				• Basic rootkit scanner: Free • AVG Internet Security: Starting at $4.99
GMER				• Rootkit scanner: Free
Sophos Rootkit and Bootkit Detection and Removal				• Plan: Starting at $44.99/year

An important note of caution for all businesses: Most rootkit scanners are designed for personal device use. An enterprise-level network security tool for removing malware will be more advanced. If your business is considering a rootkit scanner, investing in business-grade anti-malware technology, like advanced antivirus software or endpoint detection and response (EDR) is better. This will be the case for most teams of over 10 employees.

Startups with limited personnel may find that a rootkit scanner with multiple features fits their security needs. But if your business plans to scale, buying a more advanced security tool up front typically makes more sense. This guide also covers some paid antivirus plans that are a natural next step after a free rootkit scanner.

Malwarebytes

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Malwarebytes’ anti-rootkit scanner is a free solution that detects and removes rootkits and provides proactive system protection. The scan report lists detected threats and reveals whether Malwarebytes quarantined any detections. If you want further protection, consider Malwarebytes Premium, which offers antivirus, antimalware, a VPN, and alerts. Premium has personal, family, and team plans depending on your device needs.

Pros

• Feature-rich personal and family plans
• Free trial available

Cons

• Teams plan is a little expensive
• System recovery capabilities are unclear

Pricing

• Standard: $3.75 per month for personal devices
• Plus: $5 per month for personal devices
• Ultimate: $10 per month for personal devices
• Family Device Security: $10 per month for 10+ devices
• Ultimate Family Protection: $19.37 per month for 10+ devices
• Teams: $119.97 for three devices per year; up to 20 devices

Key Features

• Rootkit scanning: You can run both manual and automated scans on your devices.
• Ad blocking: Malwarebytes blocks ads and removes adware on customer computers.
• Free trial: Malwarebytes offers a 14-day trial for Malwarebytes Premium.
• Brute force protection: The Teams plan shields Windows devices from ransomware.

Avast One

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Avast One is an all-in-one service that provides comprehensive protection with antivirus, device cleanup, identity monitoring, and virtual private network (VPN) tools. It’s an affordable rootkit and antivirus product for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. Avast One’s Platinum plan offers protection for up to 30 devices, making it a valid choice for businesses of under five employees or for individual contractors and freelancers.

Pros

• Extensive identity monitoring functionality
• Platinum plan allows up to 30 devices

Cons

• Limited support channel options
• Automated scanning capabilities are unclear

Pricing

• Basic: Free
• Silver: $2.99-$6.67 per month
• Gold: $6.99-$14.99 per month
• Platinum: $9.99-$24.99 per month

Key Features

• Rootkit removal: Avast One detects rootkits and prevents future rootkit damage.
• Identity monitoring: Avast notifies you if your identity has been compromised online.
• VPN: The Gold plan offers a VPN with over 50 server locations and unlimited data.
• Money-back guarantee: All Avast One’s paid plans offer a 30-day money-back option.

AVG Antivirus

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AVG AntiVirus FREE is a robust rootkit scanner that detects and removes rootkits from your system and prevents threats like unsafe internet downloads and email attachments. AVG also offers paid plans. AVG Ultimate, the most extensive plan, only protects 10 devices, so it won’t be a good choice for teams of more than five people. However, freelancers managing their websites and email marketing will benefit from its email and internet security features.

Pros

• Reasonable pricing
• Free scanner is lightweight

Cons

• Reports only for AVG Business
• Ultimate plan supports only 10 devices

Pricing

• AVG Internet Security: $4.99-$8.33 per month
• AVG Ultimate: $4.99-$11.67 per month

Key Features

• PC scanning: AVG looks for performance issues on your computer.
• Mobile support: Aside from Windows and Mac, AVG also supports Android and iOS.
• AVG Tuneup: Part of the Ultimate plan, the Tuneup feature cleans your device of junk.
• Wi-Fi verification: AVG inspects your network for weak Wi-Fi security.

GMER

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GMER is a free rootkit scanner and removal tool that is ideal for simple scans on Windows computers. It also offers kernel-level inspection. However, GMER is an older tool and doesn’t run on any Apple devices. If you want to scan many sections of an older Windows computer, GMER is a good choice. But if you’re a freelancer or you need software for your home office technology, it’s probably best to look for a solution with more features.

Pros

• Completely free
• Kernel-level inspection available

Cons

• Hardly any additional features
• Only works on Windows

Pricing

• Free download: For Windows XP/VISTA/7/8/10

Key Features

• Kernel level inspection: GMER identifies kernel-level rootkits on Windows computers.
• Registry key scans: GMER looks for hidden registry keys on your computer system.
• Inline hook scans: The rootkit remover also hunts for modified code within a program.
• File and service hunting: GMER scans for hidden files, services, and modules.

Sophos Rootkit & Bootkit Detection & Removal

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Sophos’ solution for rootkit removal helps individuals and small and home offices find the rootkits that traditional antivirus software might not uncover. It protects both Windows and Mac machines and permits remote access for family computers in other locations. This is a beneficial feature for people who work for themselves but travel frequently or want to protect their remote assistant’s devices.

Pros

• Offered by a standout cybersecurity vendor
• Community forum available to customers

Cons

• Lacks some of its competitors’ extra features
• No mobile support

Pricing

• One user’s personal devices: $44.99-$59.99 per year

Key Features

• Web and social blockers: Sophos allows you to block specific categories by device.
• Malware scans: The rootkit product looks for malware and cleans it from your computer.
• Parental controls: Sophos provides web filtering for parents to apply to family devices.
• AI detection: Sophos Home Premium uses AI to identify suspicious behavior.

Selecting a Rootkit Scanner

Before selecting one of these solutions, ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I protecting only personal devices or work devices too? Even if you’re a contractor or have your own startup, personal computers and phones that you rely on for all work processes still count as work machines.
• If I employ other people, how many devices in total need protection? If your team has multiple phones, computers, and tablets, you might exceed a device limit quickly.
• How much am I willing to pay? If you can afford to pay $8 a month or $50 a year, this might be more helpful for protecting all your devices.
• Am I trying to fit an inexpensive rootkit scanner into my SMB? If you have more than 10 employees, a small business endpoint protection plan is probably a better call.
• Which extra features do I need? Consider whether add-ons like VPN functionality or email security are critical for you alongside basic rootkit detection and removal features.

Make sure you’ve answered these questions and know exactly what scanning features you need, either for your home devices or work machines, before beginning the buying process. This will help you narrow down the options and find a suitable solution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Is a Rootkit So Difficult to Detect?

Rootkit software is developed to blend in with legitimate software and look like it’s supposed to be there. Some rootkits affect the computer’s user level, affecting applications that run atop the operating system, but others run at the kernel level. Firmware rootkits linger within a computer’s memory. Kernel-level and firmware rootkits can be particularly hard to detect because they are so deeply embedded within the computer system.

Where Do Rootkits Hide?

Rootkits hide in multiple locations, depending on the type and where attackers install them. They can reside in computer memory, like random access memory (RAM), or in specific applications on your computer. They can also reside at the kernel level of your device or within the firmware itself. Some rootkits attack your device’s bootloader, which loads your operating system, and is known as bootkits.

How Do I Know if I Have a Rootkit?

A rootkit scanner is the ideal way to identify rootkits, but if one of your applications is behaving oddly, you might notice the existence of a rootkit before it’s scanned. However, you may be unable to tell what kind of malware affects the application unless you’re familiar with specific rootkit behaviors. You can also perform a memory dump, or a RAM dump, to see if a rootkit is executing code.

Bottom Line: Rootkit Scanner or Next-Gen Antivirus?

Rootkit scanners are beneficial tools for individuals and very small startups, helping you debug your computer systems of malware and improve device performance. But keep in mind that they’re not for most businesses. Larger startups and offices will likely need a more comprehensive endpoint security solution, especially if they plan to scale in the next few years. This can include a next-gen antivirus product or a full endpoint detection and response platform.

Is your business looking for a more advanced endpoint tool? Check out my picks for the top endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions next.

The post 5 Best Rootkit Scanners and Removers: Anti-Rootkit Tools appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a logical grouping of devices that are all connected to the same network regardless of physical location. VLANs are an essential component of contemporary networking, allowing network traffic to be segmented and managed.

VLANs enable logical partitioning inside a single switch, resulting in multiple virtual local area networks where physical switch segmentation is not a possibility. These partitions enable the division of a large network into smaller, more manageable broadcast domains, thereby improving network security, efficiency, and flexibility. In this comprehensive guide, we will look at how VLANs function, when to use them, the benefits and drawbacks they provide, and the types of VLANs.

• How Do VLANs Work?
• When to Use a VLAN
• Advantages of VLANs
• Disadvantages of VLANs
• Common Types of VLANs
• Bottom Line: VLANs

How Do VLANs Work? 

VLANs are assigned unique numbers, which enable network administrators to arrange and separate network traffic. A VLAN number is a label or tag that is applied to certain packets in order to determine their VLAN classification. The valid VLAN number range is typically 1 to 4094, providing adequate flexibility to build many VLANs within a network configuration.

VLAN numbers are assigned to switch ports to associate VLAN membership with network devices. The switch then permits data to be transmitted across ports that are part of the same VLAN. Network administrators can regulate the flow of traffic within the network by establishing VLAN membership for particular ports. By giving the right VLAN number to each port on a VLAN switch, ports may be identified as belonging to a certain VLAN. VLAN tagging, which adds a tiny header to Ethernet frames, is used by switches to identify the VLAN to which the frame belongs. This tagging guarantees that traffic is channeled correctly inside the VLAN and does not leak to other VLANs.

Since practically all networks include more than one switch, VLANs provide a means to transport traffic between them. After assigning VLAN numbers to switch ports, the switch ensures that data destined for devices in the same VLAN is transferred correctly. When two or more ports on the same switch are assigned the same VLAN number, the switch permits communication between those ports while isolating traffic from other ports. This segmentation improves network security, performance, and administration capabilities.

Because most networks are bigger than a single switch, it is necessary to facilitate communication across VLANs on various switches. A simple way to accomplish this is to configure particular ports on each switch to be part of a common VLAN and to make physical connections (usually through cables) between these designated ports. Switches enable inter-VLAN traffic to flow by connecting these ports, allowing communication between devices in different VLANs.

Also read: How to Implement Microsegmentation

When to Use a VLAN

VLANs provide several advantages in network management, performance enhancement, and security. They offer the flexibility and control required in enterprise network settings, whether it is the logical separation of devices based on function, the creation of isolated guest networks, the prioritization of critical traffic, or the optimization of large-scale networks. VLANs are particularly useful in situations such as:

• High-traffic environments and networks with over 200 devices: VLANs provide efficient traffic flow and easier administration by effectively controlling and arranging a large number of devices.
• Optimizing network performance in high-traffic LANs: Congestion may be decreased by splitting traffic into distinct VLANs, resulting in smoother data transfer and lower latency. This improvement enables more effective network resource utilization and increases overall network efficiency.
• Creating multiple switches from a single switch: Network managers can create independent broadcast domains by segmenting ports into various VLANs, thus splitting a single switch into many logical switches. This separation increases network performance, security, and administration.
• Adding security measures and controlling excessive broadcast traffic: Separating groups into separate VLANs increases security while reducing performance difficulties caused by excessive broadcast traffic.
• Prioritizing voice and video traffic: For real-time communication applications, this segmentation assures quality of service (QoS). VLANs reduce latency and packet loss by prioritizing this sort of traffic, improving the overall user experience and ensuring seamless communication.
• Creating isolated guest networks: VLANs prevent unauthorized access and associated security issues by isolating guest devices from the internal network. This isolation guarantees that visitors have access to the resources they require while safeguarding the internal network’s integrity and security.
• Separating logical devices: VLANs allow devices to be logically separated based on their purpose, department, or security needs. Network administrators can enhance network performance and security by grouping devices with similar tasks or security requirements into VLANs. This segmentation decreases broadcast traffic, safeguards against potential security breaches, and enables focused administration and control.
• When simplifying network management: VLANs are critical in constructing virtual networks that transcend physical servers in virtualized and cloud computing environments. This adaptability simplifies network administration, increases scalability, and allows for more effective resource consumption. VLANs in these contexts provide smooth connectivity between virtual computers and assist enterprises in managing their infrastructure more efficiently.

See how one managed service provider used VLANs to protect backups from ransomware: Building a Ransomware Resilient Architecture

8 Advantages of VLANs

VLANs enable enterprises to improve network efficiency, scalability, and security while also simplifying network administration, increasing security, and boosting overall performance. Here are some of the advantages of using VLANs.

1. Logically segment networks: VLANs allow for the logical segmentation of networks and the administration of geographically scattered sites. Administrators may efficiently manage network resources, apply specific security measures, and guarantee seamless communication across locations by building distinct VLANs for various sites or departments.
2. Improve network security: By logically grouping devices and separating network traffic, VLANs create an extra layer of network security. Network administrators may manage access and ensure that sensitive information remains segregated by defining different VLANs depending on departments, project teams, or roles. VLANs keep unauthorized users out of restricted regions and provide a strong security foundation for safeguarding valuable data, similar to zero trust concepts.
3. Increase operational efficiency: VLANs provide operational benefits by allowing administrators to modify users’ IP subnets using software rather than physically changing network equipment. This flexibility simplifies network maintenance, minimizes downtime, and improves the network infrastructure’s overall agility.
4. Enhance performance and decrease latency: VLANs improve network performance by lowering latency and increasing total data transmission rates. VLANs prioritize traffic flow inside each VLAN by segmenting networks depending on functional needs, guaranteeing effective network resource usage, quicker data transfer and a better user experience.
5. Reduce costs and hardware requirements: By maximizing the existing network infrastructure, VLANs remove the need for extra physical hardware and wiring. This reduction in hardware needs saves money while also simplifying network management and maintenance.
6. Simplify device management: VLANs make device administration easier and more efficient by letting administrators organize devices based on their function or purpose rather than their physical location. This logical grouping simplifies device configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
7. Solve broadcast problems and reduce broadcast domains: When a network is partitioned into many VLANs, broadcast traffic is confined within each VLAN, preventing it from congesting the whole network. This separation decreases broadcast storms while also increasing network efficiency and overall performance.
8. Streamline network topology: Typical network structures may need complex setups that include several switches, routers, and connections. By implementing VLANs, network topology can be simplified, resulting in a reduced number of devices. VLANs organize network devices conceptually, decreasing the complexity of physical connections and increasing network scalability.

Also read: Network Protection: How to Secure a Network

7 Disadvantages of VLANs

While VLANs provide substantial benefits in network management and security, it is critical to understand their potential downsides. Understanding these drawbacks allows network managers to handle them proactively and guarantee a successful VLAN implementation that meets their unique organizational needs.

1. Additional network complexity. The additional network complexity caused by VLANs is one of the key problems of adopting them. VLAN management in bigger networks may be a difficult operation that involves precise design, configuration, and constant monitoring. Misconfigurations can lead to network instability or even outages if correct knowledge and documentation are not used.
2. Cybersecurity risks. If an injected packet succeeds in breaching a VLAN’s borders, it could jeopardize the network’s integrity and security. Furthermore, a threat emanating from a single machine within a VLAN has the ability to propagate viruses or malware throughout the whole logical network, demanding strong security measures. Further segmentation and zero trust controls could limit any damage.
3. Interoperability concerns. Different network devices, particularly those from different suppliers, may have inconsistent compatibility with VLAN technologies, making smooth integration and consistent functioning problematic. Before establishing VLANs in such situations, it is critical to guarantee compatibility and undertake extensive testing.
4. Limited VLAN traffic relay. Each VLAN runs as its own logical network, and VLANs cannot forward network traffic to other VLANs by default. While this isolation provides security benefits, it might cause problems when communicating between VLANs. To enable traffic routing between VLANs, further setup and the usage of Layer 3 devices are necessary, adding complexity to network architecture and operation.
5. Possible risk of broadcast storms. Improper VLAN configuration can lead to broadcast storms, which happen when too much broadcast traffic overwhelms the network infrastructure. To avoid these disruptive incidents, VLAN design and setup must be carefully considered.
6. Reliance on Layer 3 devices. When Layer 3 devices have problems or become overloaded, it can have a major impact on VLAN connectivity. Layer 3 equipment, such as routers or Layer 3 switches, are widely used in inter-VLAN connections. These devices are in charge of routing traffic between VLANs, and their availability and correct setup are critical for VLAN operation.
7. Unintentional packet leakage. Packets can mistakenly leak from one VLAN to another in rare instances. This leakage might arise as a result of incorrect setups, poor access control, or insufficient network segmentation. Packet leakage jeopardizes VLAN security and isolation, exposing critical data to unauthorized users.

See the Top Microsegmentation Software

3 Common Types of VLANs

There are several types of VLANs commonly used in networking.

• Port-based VLAN: In this type of virtual LAN, a switch port can be manually assigned to a VLAN member. Specific VLANs are assigned to switch ports, and devices connecting to those ports become part of the corresponding VLAN. Because all other ports are configured with an identical VLAN number, devices connecting to this port will belong to the same broadcast domain. The difficulty with this form of network is determining which ports are acceptable for each VLAN. The VLAN membership cannot be determined simply by inspecting a switch’s physical port but by looking at the setup information.
  • Data VLAN: This type is often known as a user VLAN, and is dedicated solely to user-generated data. Data VLANs are designed to isolate and organize network traffic based on device function, department, or security requirements. The organizational structure of data virtual LANs is used to classify them. It is strongly encouraged to properly evaluate how users could be appropriately classified while taking into account all configuration choices. These clusters might be departmental or work-related. Administrators can boost network efficiency and security by grouping devices with similar tasks or security needs into Data VLANs to reduce broadcast traffic, isolate security vulnerabilities, and facilitate network monitoring and control.
  • Default VLAN: Typically, default VLANs are allocated to switch ports that have not been expressly defined for any specific VLAN. They serve as a backup alternative for devices that lack VLAN designations. Administrators can guarantee that devices without explicit VLAN assignments remain operational and can interact inside the network by selecting a default VLAN.
  • Native VLAN: An access port, also known as an untagged port, is a switch port that carries traffic for a single VLAN, whereas a trunk port, also known as a tagged port, carries data for several Virtual LANs. Native VLANs are linked to trunk lines, which connect switches. These VLANs are untagged on the trunk link, which means that frames sent across the link do not contain VLAN tags. When traffic arrives on a port without a VLAN tag, it is assigned to the Native VLAN; however, it is critical to set the Native VLAN consistently on both ends of the trunk connection to avoid connectivity difficulties and potential security risks.
  • Management VLAN: Management VLANs are VLANs that are dedicated to network administration and management responsibilities. This particular type is recommended for the most sensitive management activities, such as monitoring, system logging, SNMP, and so on. This not only provides security benefits, but also provides capacity for these management duties even in high-traffic scenarios. Administrators may assure safe access to network devices, ease network monitoring and troubleshooting, and protect key network infrastructure from illegal access or interference by isolating management traffic onto a distinct VLAN.
  • Voice VLAN: Voice VLANs are designed to prioritize and handle voice traffic in a network context, such as Voice over IP (VoIP) calls. Network administrators can assure Quality of Service (QoS) for real-time communication by allocating voice devices to a distinct VLAN, minimizing latency or packet loss issues that may affect the user experience during voice calls.

• Protocol-based VLAN: Protocol-based VLANs classify VLAN membership according to the traffic protocol in use. In a Protocol-based VLAN, the frame contains the layer-3 protocol information that specifies VLAN membership. While this method is effective in multi-protocol environments, it may not be feasible in IP-only networks. Other protocols’ traffic, such as IP, IPX, or AppleTalk, can be routed to their respective VLANs. This form of VLAN filters traffic based on protocol and offers untagged packet criteria.

• MAC-based VLAN: This type of VLAN is ideal when network administrators require granular control over device placement. A MAC-based VLAN uses the MAC address of a device to identify it as a member of that VLAN. Each VLAN on the switch has its own MAC address. This type of VLAN is typically used when device segmentation by MAC address is necessary.  Untagged inbound packets are allocated virtual LANs through the use of MAC-based VLANs, allowing traffic to be categorized depending on the source address.

See the Best Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)

Bottom Line: VLANs

VLANs are a powerful network strategy that enables efficient traffic control, better security, and optimal network performance. These are critical functions in modern network environments, allowing network traffic to be segregated and controlled. By assigning VLAN numbers to switch ports, network administrators may create logical network segments and regulate data flow inside and between VLANs.

VLANs provide the flexibility and control required in contemporary network settings, whether it is the logical separation of devices based on function, the creation of isolated guest networks, the prioritization of critical traffic, or the optimization of large-scale networks. Understanding the functions and advantages of VLAN types helps administrators to create efficient network configurations tailored to their organization’s needs.

Read next:

• Best Network Monitoring Tools
• Top Network Detection & Response (NDR) Solutions

The post What is a VLAN? Ultimate Guide to How VLANs Work appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

However, as useful as VLANs can be for improving network performance and management, they can also get convoluted and overly complex for enterprise network managers who are juggling multiple VLANs and specs at once. That’s where VLAN tagging — the practice of adding metadata labels, known as VLAN IDs, to information packets on the network — can help. These informative tags help classify different types of information packets across the network, making it clear which VLAN each packet belongs to and how they should operate accordingly.

In this guide, we’ll explore what VLAN tagging is, how it works, and why and how you may want to implement the strategy in your own network virtualization projects.

Also read: VLANs: Effective Network Segmentation for Security

Network Components and Protocols Used in VLAN Tagging

VLAN tagging is a complicated topic, so we’ll start with a discussion of the network components and protocols used in VLAN tagging and the roles they play before we get into specifics and best practices.

• Switches: A network switch connects other devices within a VLAN. In VLAN tagging, switches are responsible for VLAN tag assignment, VLAN trunking, VLAN routing, and other VLAN management tasks that involve directing and labeling network traffic.
• Broadcast Domain: In a traditional network, the broadcast domain includes any devices and other components in that network; because they’re all in the same flat network, they can all receive a message when it’s broadcast. Broadcast domains are made smaller and more function-specific with the help of VLANs and VLAN tagging, a process that segments domains so devices can only receive messages and packets from other devices on the same VLAN segment.
• Router: A network-layer router makes it possible to route data packets across different VLAN. While switches focus on inter-device connections, routers are most useful for inter-switch connections and larger network operations.
• User Authentication: In addition to checking VLAN IDs to ensure they match and are approved for that particular VLAN, many other user authentication methods are typically used to ensure devices and users are approved for that VLAN. A remote authentication dial-in user service (RADIUS) server or other authentication server is typically used to authenticate and authorize user traffic.
• Trunk: The trunk port forwards and facilitates VLAN-to-VLAN communication across multiple VLANs. It operates at the layer two protocol level and is able to manage the transmission of tagged VLAN traffic via switches and routers.
• Layer Two Protocol: Also known as the data link layer, this type of networking protocol is where switches, wireless access points, frames, and other devices are able to exchange information packets within a single VLAN.
• Layer Three Protocol: Also known as the network layer, layer three routing is a more complex layer on top of layer two that makes it possible for information packets to travel to and from devices in separate VLAN segments. Routers operate at level three.
• Single Tagging: This is the ideal approach for VLAN tagging, wherein each VLAN and information packet receives a single type of tag. Single tagging makes it much easier to identify where data packets belong, where they can travel, and with what other devices they can interact.
• Dual/Double Tagging: This is when an information packet erroneously receives two or more VLAN tags. It occurs when a single packet travels through a network and goes through multiple tagging projects. This most often happens when a packet moves to a new VLAN from its previous VLAN but never sheds the tags and naming structure from that previous VLAN.
• Mixed Tagging: Mixed tagging happens when, in a single VLAN or group of VLANs, several different tagging standards are used, whether it’s done unintentionally or purposely because different devices support only certain tagging standards. Mixing tags in a VLAN environment can cause compatibility issues between devices and make it difficult for network administrators to monitor VLAN performance from a single dashboard view.

How VLAN Tagging Works

To begin the VLAN tagging process, you must first virtualize your physical network and set up different VLANs. These VLANs can be grouped however you see fit — some users create VLANs based on device location while others create VLANs based on department, traffic volume, or some other categorical classification. Regardless of how you decide to classify and group your VLANs, you can set them up through systems like wireless access point management systems.

Once your VLANs have been set up, it’s time to designate a specific VLAN ID to each VLAN; VLAN IDs are typically 12-bit values. From there, VLAN IDs are applied to the headers of different information packets that move through the network. Existing information packets can be manually given the VLAN ID that makes the most sense.

As new users and devices attempt to log into the network, an authentication server and/or other authentication tools will first be used to determine if that new host is valid. Once the user or device has been authenticated, a VLAN switch adds a logical VLAN ID to any information packets that item sends on the network. This VLAN ID ensures that the information packet stays within the appropriate VLAN and is only broadcast to that segment of the broadcast domain.

For more complex packet movement, trunks and/or routers may be set up to facilitate inter-VLAN movement. Otherwise — unless an error like dual tagging occurs — that packet is labeled and set up to stay among the hosts, ports, and switches that are present on its particular VLAN.

For an example of VLANs used for network security segmentation purposes, see Building a Ransomware Resilient Architecture.

Is VLAN Tagging Necessary?

VLAN tagging is a useful process, especially for larger networking environments that require admins to juggle different department classifications and expectations, device and user types, traffic types, permissions, and other factors simultaneously. It also helps network administrators for networks of all sizes to get more organized, understand the traffic they have flowing through their network, and segment the network in a logical way that improves performance and traffic flow.

However, VLAN tagging is not necessary for everyone; its usefulness depends on your network size, the number of VLANs you’re operating, and other organizational requirements. In fact, if you don’t know what you’re doing when you first set up VLAN tags, especially if you fail to standardize your processes and procedures, VLAN tags can actually cause more management difficulties than working in an untagged VLAN environment.

Your team should only go into a VLAN tagging project only if you stand to benefit from features like inter-VLAN routing, more granular policy management, and stronger broadcast controls. If you’re primarily looking to set up an easy-to-use VLAN environment for simple user devices and VLAN classifications, untagged VLANs will likely meet your needs.

Also read: Microsegmentation Is Catching On as Key to Zero Trust

7 VLAN Tagging Best Practices

VLAN tagging isn’t easy, but following these best practices will help you get it right.

1. Maintain Consistent VLAN Standards

To make sure your tags don’t get too confusing and devices on your VLAN remain compatible with each other, stick to a standardized naming convention and uniform tagging standards. With VLAN tagging in particular, users have the option to choose between different methodologies and standards, such as IEEE 802.1Q and ISL. Either standard may be the right fit for your organization, but choosing to work with both can create a mixed tagging scenario where it’s easier to lose track of traffic, misconfigure different aspects of the VLAN, and generally have information packets get misunderstood or misdirected.

2. Monitor and Audit for Dual Tagging and Other Tagging Errors

Different tagging errors can easily crop up in your VLAN environment, especially if multiple users and teams are working on tagging initiatives. To make sure you don’t end up with a scenario like information packets with dual tags, continually monitor traffic moving within and across VLANs with network monitoring tools. For the occasional, more in-depth analysis of tag quality, make VLAN tag assessment a part of your regularly scheduled network audits and vulnerability assessments.

3. Control Broadcast Domain Size

Regardless of how well you tag your VLANs and information packets, your network can still get bogged down and run slowly if your broadcast domain and the traffic within that domain grows too large. As your network activity continues to grow, consider creating new sub-VLANs in order to reduce broadcast traffic and make it easier to manage network security and performance in granular segments.

4. Consider Users, Use Cases, and Other Logical Groupings for Tags

Tag groups can be aligned to nearly any category or classification, so it’s best for organizations to think through how they want to group their virtualized network traffic. Do you have third parties, stakeholders, or employees who need more or less access to certain resources? Are certain devices or applications being used in a way that takes up more bandwidth and requires special attention? Do certain devices transmit data that requires stricter data security and compliance practices? These are all questions that should inform how you divide up and tag individual VLANs.

5. Invest in Network Monitoring and Other Cybersecurity Tools

Network monitoring solutions can prevent bigger cybersecurity issues from spiraling out of control on any type of network, including a virtualized network like a VLAN. As a bonus, certain network monitoring tools give users the levels of customization necessary to track VLAN tagging elements, including if certain information packets have been mistagged or accidentally received multiple tags.

Related: 34 Most Common Types of Network Security Solutions

6. Use Staging Environments to Test VLAN Configurations

Misconfigurations are some of the most common issues — and security threats — that networking professionals face when they first get started with VLANs and VLAN tagging. Although working out the kinks in a staging environment might not solve all your problems, especially as network traffic and devices grow more complex, getting your VLAN initially configured in a staging environment gives you a chance to test its capabilities and performance without negatively impacting your actual network’s performance.

7. Keep VLAN Tagging Documentation Up-to-Date

As team members leave and new team members are brought on to your IT and networking teams, the only way to ensure everyone knows how to maintain current VLAN tagging standards is through detailed, up-to-date documentation. Any time a new VLAN or VLAN ID is created and also as internal standards or rules for data management change, be sure to update that documentation and keep it in a location where all relevant stakeholders can access it. For better results, require that all internal networking professionals go through regular training on VLAN tagging and VLAN usage best practices.

Top Issues Faced With VLAN Tagging

VLAN tagging, when performed correctly, can help networks operate more efficiently and securely. However, the opposite may become true if networking professionals aren’t careful. Keep an eye out for the following most common issues faced with VLAN tagging as you embark on a tagging project:

Misconfigurations

There are a lot of different components and moving parts involved in VLAN tagging. Because of its complexities, organizations frequently misconfigure their VLANs and VLAN tags with errors like mismatched VLAN IDs, untagged ports, misconfigured switches and trunks, and overloaded VLANs that hold too many devices and cause network congestion. These issues can not only cause the network to perform more slowly and inefficiently but can also lead to security issues like unauthorized access.

Management Costs

Although correctly configured VLAN environments often lead to cost savings, there are still areas of VLAN management and VLAN tagging that can be cost-prohibitive. For example, smaller organizations may not be able to afford initial costs or maintenance costs for specialized servers like RADIUS servers.

Limited Internal Expertise

Not all organizations have enough in-house expertise or the resources to work with an expert third party for VLAN tagging projects. Whether it’s during initial implementation, ongoing monitoring, or periodic troubleshooting, many organizations run into issues they can’t solve when certain components aren’t working as intended.

Consistent Maintenance and Monitoring Requirements

Related to the issue of limited internal expertise, many companies do not have the resources they need to continually monitor for network performance issues and emerging security vulnerabilities, which causes them to struggle with maintaining high VLAN standards. VLANs require complex network operations to run smoothly, especially since so many devices and networking tools are involved. Interoperability, network traffic, quality of service (QoS) policies, and user access controls are all complex issues networking professionals need to stay on top of for VLANs and their tags to serve their purpose.

Bottom Line: Getting VLAN Tagging Right

VLAN tagging can be a complex process if your team isn’t prepared to keep up with and monitor network configurations, and especially if your team has greener networking professionals. However, especially for larger companies that are managing large swathes of varied traffic and user types, VLAN tagging is one of the most effective, cost-efficient, and scalable ways for system administrators to manage cybersecurity; bandwidth; network performance; and role-based, device-based, and traffic-based controls. Network administrators can reap all sorts of benefits from this organizational management framework for VLANs so long as they’re willing and able to troubleshoot their tagging setups and methodologies consistently.

Read next: Network Protection: How to Secure a Network

The post What Is VLAN Tagging? Definition & Best Practices appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

This article covers everything you need to know about networking fundamentals — from how computer networks function and the types of networks to essential devices, IP addressing, network security, and best practices for network management. With this foundation, you’ll be well-equipped to build and maintain reliable network connections.

What is a Computer Network?

A computer network is a system that connects multiple computers, devices, and digital resources, allowing them to communicate, share data, and access resources like files, printers, and internet connections. It enables devices to work together efficiently, creating a collaborative digital environment regardless of location.

In a basic setup, two or more computers are linked through wired or wireless connections, allowing for data exchange across short or long distances. Networks can be as simple as a direct cable connection between two devices or as complex as the vast interconnected systems of computers that support internet traffic worldwide.

At their core, computer networks are built to facilitate data sharing, reduce costs by pooling resources, and increase productivity by streamlining communications across multiple devices.

How Does a Computer Network Work?

Computer networks establish connections between devices using hardware, such as routers and switches, and through standardized protocols that ensure accurate data transmission.

Network Protocols & Communication Standards

Networks rely on protocols, which are sets of rules governing data transmission between devices. Standard protocols include TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), which breaks data into packets for secure and efficient delivery. Each packet is assigned an IP address as the digital “home address” to ensure accurate routing.

Data Transmission Methods

Data in networks is transmitted either via wired or wireless mediums. In wired networks, cables like Ethernet connect devices, offering stability and high-speed data transfer. Wireless networks use radio waves, allowing devices to connect without cables.

Types of Computer Networks

Computer networks are classified based on various criteria, including geographical area, transmission medium, and communication type.

Network Types by Geographical Area

Local Area Network (LAN)

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a small-scale network that connects devices within a limited geographical area, such as a single building, home, office, or school. LANs enable resource sharing among connected devices, including printers, files, and applications, while facilitating easy communication between users.

LANs usually rely on Ethernet cables for fast, stable connections or on Wi-Fi for greater flexibility. Due to their small scale, LANs are often more secure and easier to manage than larger networks, making them ideal for environments where secure, high-speed connectivity is required.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A Wide Area Network (WAN) covers a much broader geographical area than a LAN, connecting multiple LANs across cities, countries, or continents. The internet is the most notable example of a WAN, as it links countless networks worldwide, allowing people to communicate and share information across vast distances.

Unlike LANs, which rely on local cables or wireless signals, WANs often use leased telecommunications lines, satellite links, or fiber-optic connections to maintain high-speed, long-distance communication. WANs are essential for large organizations with offices in multiple locations, providing a cohesive network that enables efficient, secure information exchange.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) spans a city or a large town, typically covering a range wider than a LAN but smaller than a WAN. MANs connect multiple LANs within a specific metropolitan area, enabling businesses, government offices, and educational institutions to communicate and share resources seamlessly.

MANs often use high-speed fiber-optic or wireless connections, allowing for reliable and fast communication across the urban area. This type of network is commonly used by city governments or large institutions needing to connect various buildings within a city efficiently.

Personal Area Network (PAN)

A Personal Area Network (PAN) is designed for individual use, connecting devices within a very short range, often no more than a few meters. PANs typically use Bluetooth, infrared, or other short-range wireless communication technologies to link personal devices like smartphones, laptops, wearable tech, and headphones. For instance, when you connect a smartphone to a laptop via Bluetooth or sync a smartwatch with your phone, you create a PAN. These networks are highly portable and secure, as they operate within a confined range, making them ideal for personal use in daily life.

Network Types by Transmission Medium

Wired Networks

Wired networks use physical cables like Ethernet, coaxial, or fiber-optic to connect devices, providing stable, high-speed connections ideal for offices, data centers, and gaming environments. Ethernet cables, in particular, offer fast data transfer rates with minimal interference, ensuring reliable connectivity.

Additionally, wired networks offer enhanced security since access requires a physical connection, making them suitable for environments where interference may impact wireless signals.

Wireless Networks

Wireless networks connect devices through radio waves, offering flexible, cable-free access across various locations. Common types include Wi-Fi for internet access in homes, offices, and public spaces and Bluetooth for short-range connections between personal devices like headphones or fitness trackers.

While convenient for mobility and remote access, wireless networks can face interference and range limitations. Security protocols like WPA3 are vital to secure these networks from unauthorized access.

Network Types by Communication Type

Multipoint Networks

In multipoint networks, multiple devices share a single communication channel, efficiently sending data from one device to many others. This setup reduces the need for separate connections and is often managed by a central controller to prevent conflicts. Common in offices and schools, multipoint networks facilitate resource sharing, like printers and files, although performance may slow with high device activity.

Point-to-Point Networks

Point-to-point networks create a dedicated connection between two devices, enabling direct and secure communication. This structure is ideal for private data transfer scenarios, as no other devices share the channel to intercept messages. Commonly used in telecommunications and leased lines, point-to-point networks ensure minimal interference and provide a stable connection, making them well-suited for exchanging sensitive information.

Broadcast Networks

Broadcast networks transmit data from one device to multiple recipients simultaneously. Commonly used in television and radio broadcasting, this method allows signals to reach many receivers simultaneously. In local networks, broadcast communication enables messages to be sent to all devices, which can then filter relevant information. While efficient for disseminating public information, broadcast networks must manage bandwidth carefully to prevent congestion and ensure clear signal transmission.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) establish secure, encrypted connections over public networks, allowing users to access private networks remotely. By encrypting data and masking IP addresses, VPNs ensure secure communication on potentially insecure public Wi-Fi. Commonly used in remote work and corporate settings, they protect sensitive information from unauthorized access and maintain confidentiality. 

Additionally, VPNs enable users to bypass geographic restrictions, making them popular for secure business communication and personal browsing in restricted areas.

Essential Networking Devices You Need for a Seamless Network

Networking devices facilitate communication within a network by managing data traffic and enhancing connectivity.

Repeater

Repeaters amplify signals to extend the range of a network. They are useful in larger networks where devices are spaced far apart.

Hub

Hubs connect multiple devices within a network and manage data flow. Types of hubs include:

• Passive Hub: Acts as a conduit for data without amplifying it.
• Active Hub: Amplifies signals to ensure they reach all connected devices.
• Intelligent Hub: Provides data filtering and management features, enhancing network efficiency.

Bridge

Bridges connect multiple networks, allowing devices within each network to communicate. Types of bridges include:

• Transparent Bridges: Forward data based on MAC addresses without altering content.
• Source Bridges: Use routing information to determine the best path for data transmission.

Switch

Switches manage data flow within networks by forwarding data packets to specific devices. Common types of switches include:

Routers

Routers direct data between networks, often connecting LANs to the internet. Types include:

• Static Router: Uses fixed routing paths, often requiring manual configuration.
• Dynamic Router: Automatically adjusts paths using protocols like RIP or OSPF.

Gateway

Gateways act as entry points between different networks, translating data formats and ensuring compatibility.

Brouter

Brouters combine features of both bridges and routers, managing data flow and enhancing connectivity between networks.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

NICs are physical components installed in devices, enabling network connectivity by providing unique MAC addresses.

Common Network Topologies

Network topology is the arrangement or layout of devices within a network, dictating how data flows between devices and influencing network performance, scalability, and fault tolerance. Choosing the right topology can optimize network efficiency and resilience. 

Here are some of the most common network topologies:

Star Topology

In a star topology, each device connects to a central hub or switch that manages network communication. This arrangement simplifies management and troubleshooting, as issues can be isolated to specific devices. Star topologies are popular for their performance and fault tolerance; if one device fails, the rest of the network remains unaffected. However, the central hub is a single point of failure — if it goes down, all connected devices lose access.

Mesh Topology

Mesh topology connects every device directly to others, providing high reliability. Each device has a dedicated link to every other device in a full mesh network, allowing multiple data pathways. This redundancy ensures continuous operation even if some connections fail, making it ideal for critical environments like data centers. However, implementing a full mesh network can be costly due to the many connections required.

Bus Topology

In a bus topology, all devices share a single communication line, or “bus,” to transfer data. This simple layout is cost-effective and easy to install, making it suitable for small networks or temporary setups. However, bus topology has limitations, such as signal degradation over distance and reduced performance with increased device numbers. Additionally, the network goes down if the main cable fails, making it less reliable than other topologies.

Ring Topology

In a ring topology, devices connect in a circular layout, linking to two other devices and forming a closed loop. Data travels in one direction (or both in a dual-ring setup), ensuring orderly transmission and reducing collisions. While effective for systematic data flow, a single device or connection failure can disrupt the entire network. Dual-ring designs enhance reliability by offering an alternative data pathway.

Each topology has distinct advantages and trade-offs, making it essential to assess the specific requirements of a network — such as size, budget, reliability, and scalability — before deciding on the best layout.

Wireless Networking Fundamentals

Wireless networks have revolutionized connectivity, providing flexible, mobile, and remote access without the limitations of physical cables. This technology enables various applications, from home and office networks to extensive public and mobile data services.

Key types of wireless networks include:

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is the most popular wireless network type, offering internet access in homes, offices, and public spaces like cafes and airports. Operating through routers that transmit data via radio waves, Wi-Fi allows multiple devices—such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets—to connect within a limited range. This convenience and mobility make Wi-Fi ideal for environments requiring consistent access without cables. 

Newer standards, like Wi-Fi 6, enhance speed, capacity, and efficiency, enabling even more devices to connect simultaneously.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth enables short-range wireless connections, typically within 10 meters, and is commonly used to pair smartphones with devices like wireless headphones, speakers, and fitness trackers. 

Unlike Wi-Fi, Bluetooth focuses on direct device-to-device communication while consuming less power, making it ideal for wearable tech and battery-operated gadgets. Its mesh networking capabilities allow nearby devices to create ad hoc networks for applications like smart home automation.

Cellular Networks

Cellular networks allow mobile devices to connect to the internet over large areas through cell towers operated by service providers. Unlike Wi-Fi, which has a limited range, cellular networks enable continuous connectivity on the move, making them essential for smartphones and tablets. 

Operating across generations — from 3G and 4G to the latest 5G — cellular networks provide higher speeds, lower latency, and improved support for data-intensive applications like video streaming and gaming. They are crucial for internet access in areas lacking Wi-Fi coverage.

Things You Need to Know About Firewalls, Encryption, and VPNs

Different types of network security involve a multi-layered approach that utilizes firewalls, encryption, and VPNs to protect data and prevent unauthorized access. These tools collaborate to defend networks against various threats, ensuring secure data transmission and accessibility for authorized users. Organizations can create a robust defense system that safeguards sensitive information from potential breaches by implementing these security measures.

Here’s how each layer contributes:

Firewalls

Firewalls act as the first line of defense by filtering and monitoring network traffic according to established security protocols. They evaluate incoming and outgoing data packets, blocking unauthorized access and suspicious activity. Available as hardware, software, or a combination of both, firewalls are crucial for preventing malware and intrusions, particularly in businesses where sensitive data is at risk.

Encryption

Encryption converts data into an unreadable format, allowing only authorized users with the correct decryption key to access it. This is vital for safeguarding sensitive information during online transactions and communications. Even if intercepted, encrypted data remains useless to unauthorized parties. Advanced methods like AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) are widely used in banking and healthcare sectors where data privacy is crucial.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

VPNs create a secure, encrypted connection or “tunnel” between a device and the network, allowing users to access resources safely from remote locations. For businesses that support remote work, VPNs are invaluable, ensuring that employees can connect securely to the organization’s network over public or unsecured networks without compromising data integrity. VPNs provide privacy and security, making it difficult for hackers to intercept data.

For more details on advanced network security, check out this comprehensive guide on network security. Each layer — firewalls, encryption, and VPNs — uniquely reinforces security, offering robust protection for both individual users and businesses.

Best Practices for Network Management

Effective network management is essential for maintaining a stable, high-performing, secure network environment. It involves various strategies to optimize network health, prevent disruptions, and safeguard data. Here are some core practices:

Monitoring Network Traffic

Continuous monitoring of network traffic allows administrators to identify unusual patterns or potential bottlenecks that could indicate security threats or network inefficiencies. Advanced monitoring tools can alert administrators in real time to any spikes in traffic or irregularities, enabling quick, proactive troubleshooting before minor issues escalate into major disruptions. This monitoring is essential for ensuring smooth network performance and preventing downtime.

Regular Backups

Scheduling regular backups of network configurations and critical data is crucial for disaster recovery. In the event of a failure, cyber-attack, or data loss, these backups enable swift restoration of network settings and data, minimizing operational interruptions. Automated backup solutions ensure data and configurations are consistently saved, reducing the risk of human error and allowing for faster recovery times.

Implementing & Updating Security Protocols

Security protocols such as firewalls, encryption, and access controls must be regularly updated to counter emerging threats. By keeping these protocols current and periodically reviewing security settings, organizations can significantly reduce vulnerabilities and better protect against cyber threats. This includes using multifactor authentication (MFA) and regularly updating antivirus software to strengthen network defenses.

Learn about common network security threats to be more prepared to handle and manage your network.

Bottom Line: Setting Up for Success with Networking Essentials

Understanding networking fundamentals lays the groundwork for effective communication, connectivity, and security in our digital world. Each component is vital in creating a robust and resilient network, from essential networking devices to network topologies, IP addressing, and security measures.

Whether setting up a home network or managing an extensive corporate system, mastering these basics sets you on the path to networking success. Start building your foundational knowledge today and pave the way to a connected future!

For more insights and resources on enhancing your network’s security, check out the best network security tools.

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