How do you check your network's security?

1 Scan your network

The first step is to scan your network for any devices, services, ports, or protocols that are connected or exposed to the internet. You can use tools like Nmap, Wireshark, or Netcat to perform network discovery and analysis. Scanning your network can help you find out what is running on your network, what is open to the outside world, and what is potentially vulnerable to exploitation. You can also use scanning tools to check for common network misconfigurations, such as weak passwords, default settings, or outdated software.

2 Test your firewall

The next step is to test your firewall, which is a device or software that controls the traffic between your network and the internet. A firewall can block or allow certain types of traffic based on rules and policies. You can use tools like Hping, Nping, or Firewalk to test your firewall's effectiveness and configuration. Testing your firewall can help you verify that it is filtering the traffic as intended, that it is not blocking legitimate traffic, and that it is not allowing unauthorized traffic.

3 Simulate an attack

The third step is to simulate an attack on your network, which is a way of testing your network's security from an attacker's perspective. You can use tools like Metasploit, Nmap, or Burp Suite to perform penetration testing or ethical hacking on your network. Simulating an attack can help you identify and exploit vulnerabilities, assess the impact and severity of an attack, and evaluate your network's defense mechanisms and response capabilities.

4 Monitor your network

The fourth step is to monitor your network, which is a way of observing and analyzing your network's activity and performance. You can use tools like Nagios, Zabbix, or Splunk to collect and visualize network data, such as bandwidth, latency, errors, or anomalies. Monitoring your network can help you detect and troubleshoot any issues, such as network congestion, packet loss, or intrusion attempts.

5 Update your network

The fifth step is to update your network, which is a way of maintaining and improving your network's security and functionality. You can use tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef to automate and manage network updates, such as patches, upgrades, or backups. Updating your network can help you fix any security flaws, enhance any features, or restore any data.

6 Educate your users

The sixth step is to educate your users, which is a way of raising awareness and fostering good practices among the people who use your network. You can use tools like PhishingBox, KnowBe4, or SecurityIQ to conduct security awareness training and testing for your users. Educating your users can help you prevent human errors, such as clicking on malicious links, sharing sensitive information, or using weak passwords.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?