How can you secure LANs in the age of cloud computing and remote work?

1 Encrypt your data

One of the most important steps to secure your LAN is to encrypt your data, both in transit and at rest. Encryption is the process of converting data into a code that only authorized parties can decipher. This prevents hackers, snoops, and intruders from reading or modifying your data. You can encrypt your data in transit by using secure protocols, such as HTTPS, SSL, or VPN. You can encrypt your data at rest by using encryption software, such as BitLocker, FileVault, or VeraCrypt. Encryption can also help you comply with data privacy regulations, such as GDPR or HIPAA.

2 Segment your network

Another way to secure your LAN is to segment your network, which means dividing it into smaller subnetworks based on different functions, roles, or devices. For example, you can segment your network into a guest network, a staff network, and a management network. This way, you can isolate and control the traffic and access between different segments. You can also apply different security policies and rules to each segment, such as firewall settings, authentication methods, or encryption levels. Network segmentation can help you reduce the risk of lateral movement, limit the impact of a breach, and improve the performance and efficiency of your network.

3 Update your devices

A third way to secure your LAN is to update your devices regularly, including routers, switches, servers, computers, printers, and smart devices. Updating your devices means installing the latest patches, firmware, software, and drivers that fix bugs, vulnerabilities, and compatibility issues. Updating your devices can help you prevent malware infections, cyberattacks, and data loss. You can also enable automatic updates or use a network management tool to monitor and update your devices remotely and centrally.

4 Use strong passwords

A fourth way to secure your LAN is to use strong passwords for your devices, accounts, and networks. Strong passwords are passwords that are long, complex, unique, and hard to guess. They should include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. They should also avoid common words, names, dates, or patterns. You can use a password manager, such as LastPass, Dashlane, or 1Password, to generate and store your strong passwords securely. You can also enable multi-factor authentication (MFA), which requires an additional verification step, such as a code, a token, or a fingerprint, to access your devices, accounts, or networks.

6 Monitor your network

A sixth way to secure your LAN is to monitor your network, which means collecting and analyzing data about the activities, events, and performance of your network. You can use a network monitoring tool, such as Nagios, Zabbix, or SolarWinds, to track and visualize your network traffic, bandwidth, latency, errors, and anomalies. You can also use a network security tool, such as Snort, Suricata, or Wireshark, to detect and prevent malicious or suspicious behavior, such as intrusions, attacks, or data leaks. Monitoring your network can help you identify and resolve any problems, optimize your network performance, and improve your network security.

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?