How to Assess Your Network Security

If there’s going to be a data breach it will most likely happen on the network. Keeping your network secure, however, is no small task and pulls in all kinds of considerations from endpoint protection to how companies secure their resources in data centers and the cloud.

Fortunately, there are some key considerations to watch out for when it comes to network security.

#1: Web-Based Attacks

One of the most important aspects of network security is preventing and mitigating web-based attacks. When employees browse online, they risk exposure to any number of threats such as:

Downloading ransomware or other malicious payloads
Being fooled into handing over sensitive information on phishing sites

You could help combat this with endpoint protection, and that’s an important piece to be sure…

Beef Up Your Protection with Secure Web Gateway

It’s best to beef up this protection with a secure web gateway (SWG). A SWG analyzes traffic before it’s rendered on employee devices, cutting down on the number of potential threats the endpoint protection has to deal with.

SWG also keeps employees from visiting malicious sites, or sites that a company forbids such as:

Time-wasting sites
Gambling sites

#2: Tool Sprawl

Tool sprawl is a common problem that can arise gradually, often stemming from the desire to enhance organizational security.

However, an excess of tools can create challenges:

Increased Complexity: Managing a multitude of tools can lead to a fragmented view of your network, making it difficult to gain a holistic understanding of security posture.
Dashboard Overload: Switching between numerous dashboards for different tools becomes time-consuming and inefficient.

The Solution Is Converged Network Security Platforms

To address tool sprawl, consider implementing a converged network security platform. These platforms offer the following benefits:

Consolidation: They bring together multiple security tools into a single, unified solution, reducing complexity.
Centralized Visibility: A single dashboard provides a comprehensive view of network activity and security status, simplifying monitoring and management.

That’s Where Check Point’s SASE Comes Into Play

Check Point’s SASE platform is a popular choice for organizations seeking to overcome tool sprawl. It offers a converged solution that enables centralized management of:

Firewall-as-a-Service
Zero Trust Network Access
Secure Web Gateway

By providing a unified interface for these critical security components, Check Point’s SASE empowers organizations to gain better control and visibility over their network security.

#3: Supply Chain Attacks

When most people think of supply chain attacks they think about stories of government operatives installing backdoors on networking hardware before it leaves the U.S. for a rival country.

That, however, is just one version of supply chain attacks, and the most exotic to be sure.

Target in 2013

The far more mundane supply chain attack is something like what happened to Target in 2013. Hackers infiltrated the systems of a third party that had the contract for Target’s HVAC maintenance. Unfortunately for Target, the maintenance company had overly permissive access to Target’s internal network.

Those access privileges then gave hackers the edge they needed to infiltrate Target.

Eventually the hackers gained access to sensitive systems including the retailer’s point-of-sale devices where they were able to extract millions of credit card records.

Implement Agentless Zero Trust Network Access

To avoid nightmare scenarios like this it’s best to give third-party contractors access to only what they need to carry out their duties, just as you would with employees. The trouble is contractors are coming in on unmanaged devices.

That’s why agentless Zero Trust Network Access is a crucial tool for dealing with:

Outsiders
Employees who need access on unmanaged devices

Agentless ZTNA allows access via a web portal that is not visible from the public Internet. These portals allow access to specific applications within your network and nothing else.

That way the network remains secure and everyone who needs access on unmanaged devices still gets it.

Uncover More Risks with Check Point’s SASE

Network security is an expansive concern that can end up touching multiple facets of general security practices. This isn’t surprising since the network is the front door to your company’s digital assets.

That’s why taking network security needs to be top of mind for companies of any size.

We’ve only looked at a few of the problems that can affect network security. Some of these risks, such as web-based attacks, are well known, while others are less obvious such as the risks associated with giving trusted outsiders overly permissive access.

Give yourself a better understanding of your network and the risks you need to mitigate.

Take our free network security risk assessment. It takes about three minutes and will provide you with actionable items that can increase your network security.

FAQs

How can I mitigate the risks associated with third-party contractors accessing my network?

Implementing agentless zero trust network access (ZTNA) can help mitigate risks associated with outsiders and employees using unmanaged devices to access your network. ZTNA provides secure access to specific applications through web portals, ensuring that contractors only have access to the information they need to perform their duties. This helps minimize the potential for data breaches and other security incidents.

What are some common security threats that can impact a network?

Cybersecurity threats are a major concern for any organization. Some of the most common threats include unauthorized access to sensitive data, malicious actors attempting to infiltrate systems, and cyber attacks that aim to disrupt operations. These threats can exploit potential vulnerabilities in network infrastructure, operating systems, and applications.

How can I assess my network’s security posture?

Performing a comprehensive network security assessment is crucial for identifying and mitigating potential risks. This involves a thorough examination of your network infrastructure, security policies, and compliance requirements. A vulnerability assessment identifies weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers, while penetration testing simulates real-world attacks to test your defenses.

What is a secure web gateway (SWG) and why is it important?

A secure web gateway acts as a security layer that inspects and filters internet traffic before it reaches your network. This helps protect your network from web-based attacks, such as ransomware and phishing, by preventing malicious websites and content from accessing your devices.

What are some of the benefits of using a converged network security platform?

A converged platform consolidates various security tools into a single, unified solution. This helps reduce complexity, improve security incident response times, and provides a centralized dashboard for monitoring network activity and security status. This approach allows security teams to gain a comprehensive understanding of their security posture and proactively address any potential vulnerabilities.

Do you have more questions? Let’s Book a Demo