Network Security Hardening is the process of making sure that a network is as secure as possible. This means that it should be as difficult as possible for intruders to compromise the security of the network.
There are two main types of network security hardening: technical and administrative. Technical hardening refers to the deployment of hardware and software security features. While administrative hardening involves creating policies and procedures for all users and employees.
What is the Difference Between Technical and Administrative Network Security Hardening?
Administrative network security hardening
Administrative network security hardening involves creating policies and procedures for all users and employees. These policies will be related to common security issues, such as passwords, access control, encryption, and data protection. For example, all user passwords must be complex (long, contains numbers and symbols). Also, only authorized users can access the secured equipment in your office, etc.
The goal of administrative hardening is not just to secure the network from intruders. It also aims to make sure that employees don’t cause a breach themselves, either through ignorance or malicious intent. For example, if an employee installs an insecure piece of software on their computer or smartphone. Because they want it to use it for work, this can result in a breach that compromises the entire network.
Technical network security hardening
Technical network security hardening on the other hand focuses on securing the hardware and software itself. So that it is less susceptible to attacks. Examples of technical hardening include deploying firewalls, patches against known vulnerabilities in operating systems. Also, software applications, monitoring critical systems for disruptions or intrusions, etc.
On its own, technical hardening cannot prevent breaches—it only serves to make intrusion more difficult for intruders if they get past your defenses. However, it can help you improve your overall security posture much more than just relying on administrative measures alone.
Is Network Security Hardening Relevant Today?
Yes. It is more relevant today than ever. With the rise of cybercrime and the subsequent increase in cyber-attacks, network security hardening has become a necessity for all organizations, rather than just a nice-to-have when it comes to network security. While network hardening should be a continuous process, here are a few steps you can take to start with it:
Review your existing security posture. If you’re not sure how secure your network is, now is the time to find out. Conducting regular network audits will help you identify any weaknesses in your network security.
If you’re not sure how secure your network is, now is the time to find out. Conducting regular will help you identify any weaknesses in your network security. Invest in better security software. In addition to securing physical devices on your network (such as routers).
Relevance
Make sure that you invest in software that specializes in detecting and preventing cyberattacks (such as antivirus, firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, etc.). Make sure that these are installed on all devices connected to the network and kept up-to-date with the latest patches and versions.
In addition to securing physical devices on your network (such as routers), make sure that you invest in software that specializes in detecting and preventing cyberattacks (such as antivirus, firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, etc.). Make sure that these are installed on all devices connected to the network and kept up-to-date with the latest patches and versions. Create policies for users and employees.
You should have policies covering such topics as passwords, email usage, social media usage, mobile device usage, etc., so everyone knows what is allowed or not allowed for employees when it comes to their work computers or mobile devices. These policies should be enforced through user training. You should also be able to detect when someone is violating the policy using monitoring tools such as spyware or keystroke loggers.
What Is The Difference Between Access Control And Authentication?
Access control refers to the methods used by a system or application to restrict access to certain resources based on certain conditions or rules. Examples include requiring users to enter their username/password before being allowed access to an application or website; requiring the use of two-factor authentication.