Here's how you can assess the security of your network infrastructure as a network engineer.

You cant secure what you do not know that you have. You should always start with not only the complete Inventory of all types of items but also what each item is used for and known vulnerabilities. Ensure that everything is needed and without unnecessary redundancies.

Conducting a thorough inventory of network assets is foundational for robust cybersecurity. Imagine a logistics company mapping out their network infrastructure. They catalog all hardware—routers, switches, and firewalls—and software applications, alongside critical data repositories. This comprehensive understanding allows them to prioritize security measures for essential assets, such as customer databases or shipment tracking systems. Regular audits and automated tools further aid in identifying and mitigating risks posed by unauthorized devices. By maintaining an up-to-date inventory, the company enhances visibility, strengthens defenses, and ensures operational continuity amidst evolving cyber threats.

Network Mapping and Configuration Management are certain key elements and foundational structure for the security of the network infrastructure. With a clear network map, deviations from normal traffic patterns and device behavior can be quickly identified, facilitating the detection of suspicious activities or potential breaches. Configuration Management helps in Implementing a controlled structure for making configuration changes, ensuring that any modifications are reviewed, tested, and documented before being applied. Together, they provide a holistic view of the network and ensure that all devices are configured securely, reducing the attack surface and improving the overall security posture.

Knowing what you've got is step one in keeping things locked down tight. You can't protect what you don't know exists, so take a good hard look at every device, app, and service running on your network. Miss something, and you're leaving an open door for trouble.

It involves having an updated list of devices in a network. Ensure all devices are captured, their configurations, and how they relate to each other, and have a network map of everything captured.

Policy's always need to be reviewed in a cycle. Add new policies to meet new threats. Evaluate each policy and keep the ones that work or are necessary for compliance and remove anything that is redundant or hinders operations unnecessarily. Ask on each one does this keep us safer than it hurts us. Users will find ways to go around policies and make thing more unsafe if its too much trouble.

Rules and regulations are there for a reason - to keep everyone safe. But the game's always changing, so you've got to stay on top of updating your security policies to match the latest threats and best practices. If your policies are out of date, you're just asking for a breach.

Knowing what to securing is a start. that follows the next step to focus on what are enabled on those devices. It simplifies the information to the best to manage the user, Access, Group, location, and much more security standards to review the user access and privilege access for overview and correction

Regular vulnerability scans are essential for proactive network security. Imagine a financial institution conducting scans across their network infrastructure. These scans systematically identify vulnerabilities like outdated software or misconfigured settings, even behind firewalls. Prompt remediation of these weaknesses mitigates potential exploitation by both internal and external threats. Scheduled scans and continuous monitoring ensure ongoing protection, adapting to new vulnerabilities as they emerge. By prioritizing fixes based on scan results and maintaining vigilance, the institution fortifies its defenses, safeguarding sensitive financial data and maintaining regulations.

As a network engineer, assessing the security of your network infrastructure involves conducting regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify weaknesses and potential entry points for attackers. Implement strong authentication mechanisms, access controls, and encryption protocols to safeguard data in transit and at rest. Monitor network traffic for anomalies and implement intrusion detection and prevention systems to quickly respond to threats. Lastly, educate users about security best practices and conduct regular training sessions to reinforce awareness and compliance with security policies. These measures collectively help maintain a secure network infrastructure resilient against evolving threats.

1. Ensure periodic vulnerability scans and combine them with penetration tests. 2. Compare previous results scans of the reports. 3. Ensure both internal and external tests are done. 4. Make sure each device is well investigated. It takes a single vulnerable device to bring down an entire network.

Think of this as a regular checkup for your network's health. Scanning for vulnerabilities lets you find and fix the weak spots before the bad guys can exploit them. It's like getting a jump on potential problems before they become real headaches.

Vulnerability Scan is an essential function to check the new threats. Remember that Every Minute a new hacker awakes. We need to have a vulnerability checks with various tools that keep updating with various check stations to discover and fix the issues, because it causes the big risk

Implementing strict rules based on the principle of least privilege, allowing only necessary communication paths. Periodic Review of Access Control List (ACL) on routers, switches, and firewalls to control traffic flow between network segments. Another way it can be done is through implementing Privileged Access Management. PAM Solutions can efficiently manage and monitor privileged accounts such as administrators and service accounts. It can be enhanced even more through enforcing strict controls over periodic access which includes session recording.

You wouldn't leave your house keys under the doormat, would you? Same idea here - tightly controlling who can access what on your network is critical. Too much access in the wrong hands is an open Invitation for mayhem. Need-to-know basis, strong authentication, and regular audits are the name of the game.

Principle of least privilege is key here. I love the scream test. Cut them off until someone screams they need access. Have a good process to allow access back though vetted by the principle data/program owners. Review your Active Directory and Group Policy for any kind of misconfiguration. Nested groups can be a silent escalation of privileges. Ive seen because of a group inside a group inside a group ... ... ... that all users ended up getting local admin on some machines. ensure that anything with administrators is vetted including sub groups.

Testing your incident response plan is critical to ensure readiness during a security breach. Consider a tech startup conducting simulated phishing exercises and mock ransomware attacks. These drills evaluate the effectiveness of their response plan, from initial detection through containment and recovery. Identifying weaknesses allows the team to refine procedures and enhance coordination among departments. A robust incident response plan minimizes downtime and data loss, preserving customer trust and regulatory compliance. Regular testing ensures preparedness against evolving threats, fostering resilience in the face of cybersecurity challenges.

Stuff happens, and when it does, you'd better have a solid game plan ready to go. An Incident response strategy lets you quickly detect, contain, and recover from any security breaches or attacks. Without one, you're just winging it - and that's a recipe for disaster.

Responders should split most of their time between detection and preparation. Tune your detections, research new attacks to create new detections, prepare and update procedures/kits for activation and learn as much as you can. Regular active training and testing the activation of your response is also crucial. Once you have finalized and incident (live or training) do all the post incident procedures. Include the write-up analysis and lessons learned these must be practiced as well. Take those lessons learned and feed it directly back in the top of what needs to be detected and what procedures need to be adjusted.

Train in and out of your security team. Learn more about everything. Test and train on procedures. Learn more about all the systems in your environment know the norms. Reach out and see what red blue purple yellow or whatever team/hat of the week is finding and turn it into a new detect or procedure. There should be a culture of learning and sharing knowledge across the entire team. During user training do NOT shame those that fail the test. It will just make people hide their mistakes that need to be addressed. Always praise in public and correct in private.

Your network is only as secure as your weakest link, and that's often the human element. Keeping everyone in the loop on current threats, best practices, and why security matters is crucial. An aware and vigilant workforce is your best defense.

Could you train your staff on what looks normal and what does not in your network? They will help you identify attacks/ compromises. Simulate phishing campaigns and tabletop exercises, this keeps them ready and alert.

1. Updated with what is happening around your organization niche, from technology advancements to vulnerabilities released that might affect your network. 2. Ensure your inventory is up to date. 3. Have business continuity plans in place.