Secure Your IT Network to Mitigate Cyber Risks and Achieve Compliance

The diagram includes other network zones and components such as the WAN Zone, Wireless Zone, and various servers like Active Directory (AD), Application (App), Web, Mail, Database, and File servers. Business units (BU-A, BU-B, BU-C) are shown with connected devices like computers, phones, and printers.

1. Internet/ISP: Represents the connection of Internet to the network
2. Firewall: Represents the connection to the Internet through a Wide Area Network. Its role as a security device controlling traffic between the Internet and the DMZ Zone and Internal Network
3. WAN Zone: Represents the connection to the Internet through a Wide Area Network.
4. DMZ Zone: A Demilitarized Zone that contains external-facing services, offering an additional layer of security.
5. Wireless Zone: Includes a wireless router and access point for Wi-Fi connectivity.
6. Data Centre: The core network area with various servers such as Active Directory (AD), Application (App), Web, Mail, Database, and File servers.
7. Business Units (BU-A, BU-B, BU-C): Different departments within the organization, each with workstations, a printer, and a phone, indicating office setups for resource sharing and communication.

To enhance network security, strengthen its defenses, and ensure compliance with relevant standards, the following practices are recommended.

1. Perimeter Security: Implement next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) at the network perimeter to provide advanced filtering, intrusion prevention, and deep packet inspection.
2. Intrusion Detection and Prevention: Deploy Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) to monitor and analyze network traffic for signs of malicious activity.
3. Network Segmentation: Segment the network into different zones (e.g., WAN, DMZ, Business Units, Data Centre) using VLANs and enforce access control lists (ACLs) to restrict traffic between segments based on the principle of least privilege.
4. Encryption: Use strong encryption standards like TLS for data in transit, especially for sensitive information.
5. Patch Management: Establish a robust patch management process to ensure that all network devices and servers are regularly updated with the latest security patches.
6. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA for accessing critical systems, especially for administrative access to servers and network devices.
7. Employee Training: Conduct regular security awareness training for employees to recognize and respond to security threats like phishing.
8. Incident Response: Set up an incident response team and develop a plan to handle security breaches effectively.
9. Backup and Recovery: Create a dedicated area for backup and recovery solutions, ensuring regular backups of critical data and testing of recovery procedures.
10. Physical Security: Implement physical security controls to protect critical network infrastructure from unauthorized access or tampering.
11. Monitoring and Logging: Install comprehensive monitoring and logging systems to keep track of network activity and detect anomalies.
12. Vulnerability Management: Use vulnerability management tools to regularly scan the network for weaknesses and address them promptly.
13. Endpoint Protection: Deploy antivirus and anti-malware solutions on all endpoints to prevent and remove malicious software.
14. Wireless Security: Secure wireless access points with the latest WPA3 encryption and implement measures to protect against wireless threats.
15. Secure Configuration: Ensure that all network devices are securely configured, disabling unnecessary services and ports.
16. Access Management: Implement strict access management policies, including role-based access control (RBAC) for network resources.
17. Single Point of Failure (SPOF): Identify and mitigate single points of failure in the network by implementing load balancers, clustering, and distributed architectures where appropriate.
18. Redundancy Controls: Establish redundancy for critical network components such as Firewall, Core Switch, Critical Servers, multiple internet service providers (ISPs), redundant power supplies, and failover systems, to ensure continuous availability and minimize downtime.
19. Data Center and Disaster Recovery: Design a resilient data center with redundant power, cooling, and networking capabilities. Develop a comprehensive disaster recovery plan that includes off-site backups, recovery objectives, and regular testing of recovery procedures.

Additionally implement the security solutions and risk assessment to meets with different compliances.

1. Web Proxy: Deploy a web proxy server to control and monitor web traffic flowing in and out of the network. This can help enforce internet usage policies, prevent access to malicious websites, and reduce the risk of web-based threats.
2. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Implement an EDR solution to continuously monitor endpoints for suspicious activities, provide advanced threat detection, and enable automated response to identified threats.
3. Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) involves deploying a set of tools and processes designed to detect potential data breach or data ex-filtration transmissions and prevent them by monitoring, detecting, and blocking sensitive data while in use (endpoint actions), in motion (network traffic), and at rest (data storage).
4. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Use a SIEM system to aggregate and analyze logs from various sources across the network. This will provide real-time visibility into security events and enable correlation of events for detecting complex threats.
5. Risk of Single Vendor Dependency: Diversify security solutions across multiple vendors to reduce the risk associated with single vendor dependency. This can help avoid a situation where a vulnerability in one vendor's product compromises the entire security infrastructure.
6. Vendor Risk Management: Conduct thorough due diligence on security vendors, including their security practices, financial stability, and reputation in the industry. Establish contracts that include provisions for security, support, and service level agreements (SLAs).
7. Regular Security Assessments: Perform regular security assessments, including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning, to identify and address potential security gaps in the network.
8. Policy and Compliance Management: Ensure that all security controls are in line with relevant policies, standards, and regulations, such as ISO 27001, NIST frameworks, and industry-specific compliance requirements.