A Look at the 7 Layers of Layered Network Security

Cyberattacks are relentless and complex, with many attempting to exploit multiple vulnerabilities to infiltrate their target. No security tool, on its own, can stop all threats. That’s why it’s critical to implement a layered network security strategy.

The principle behind layered network security strategies is simple: If one tool is unable to stop a threat, others are in place that could effectively block it. Network security layers work in concert to provide more effective security than any one tool alone.

A layered network security strategy has three broad goals — prevention, detection and mitigation. Experts differ in the tools they recommend to achieve these goals, but most include the following seven security controls.

1. Perimeter Security

Traditionally, organizations could assume that all authenticated users inside the network perimeter could be trusted. Now, users need to access network resources from anywhere, forcing organizations to punch holes in the network perimeter.

That doesn’t mean perimeter security is no longer important. Firewalls, virtual private networks (VPNs) and other perimeter security tools remain an essential part of network security layers. Additionally, these tools play an important role in the zero-trust model, in which all users and devices attempting to access network resources are untrusted until authenticated and validated.

2. Network Segmentation

Network segmentation goes hand in hand with perimeter security. Once users have gained access to the network, they shouldn’t be allowed to move freely across the IT environment. If someone gained unauthorized access, they could inflict serious damage. This is one of the key concepts in network security layers.

Network segmentation reduces this risk by slicing up the network into smaller chunks. Each segment may be protected by a firewall or through a software-defined networking approach, authenticating users before they can access those resources. Like perimeter security, network segmentation is a building block of zero-trust security.

No single tool can stop all threats. Implementing a layered network security strategy is critical to safeguarding your organization against cyberattacks.

3. Endpoint Security

A large and diverse set of endpoints must access the corporate network — laptops, mobile devices, digital printers, point-of-sale systems, Internet of Things devices and more. Many of these endpoints are outside the network perimeter. That makes every endpoint a potential entry point for attack, and therefore becomes a major focus of well-done network security strategies.

Antivirus software isn’t enough. Organizations need an endpoint protection platform that prevents known and unknown threats from entering the network. Even better, endpoint detection and response solutions continuously monitor endpoints for malicious activity and automatically respond to threats that bypass other security controls.

4. Access Control

The need for network access control is obvious, and network security strategies must account for this. Organizations must prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive resources. However, the role of network access control has evolved as the dynamics of the IT environment have changed. Today, organizations must monitor and control access by a wide range of devices, including many that the IT team does not control.

Network access control solutions should not only prevent unauthorized access but also block access by noncompliant devices. They should assess the security posture of each device to ensure that it meets the organization’s policies. NAC solutions should also monitor activity and restrict what users can do once they’re inside the network.

5. Data Encryption

It’s impossible to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the network. By encrypting data, organizations can prevent attackers from compromising sensitive data. Data loss prevention tools also use encryption to prevent users from sharing sensitive information, whether maliciously or innocently.

Organizations should encrypt data at rest in storage and in flight across the network using strong, industry-standard cryptography. It’s especially important to encrypt backup data — most ransomware attacks go after backup data first. Organizations should also change encryption keys regularly and make sure they are properly managed.

6. Application Security

It’s all about the apps. The applications we use to communicate, collaborate and perform various tasks must be secure. Application security begins in the development process and should continue throughout the software lifecycle.

Organizations have a responsibility to maintain application security by applying patches and updates as quickly as possible. This helps reduce the risk that attackers will exploit known vulnerabilities. Organizations should also be aware of the risk of software supply chain attacks and take steps to limit their exposure.

7. Security Monitoring and Incident Response

Virtually every organization will suffer a cyberattack sooner or later. That’s why security monitoring and incident response are elements of layered security. Obviously, organizations should try to prevent attacks as much as possible. But when prevention inevitably fails, effective response helps minimize the damage.

Organizations should monitor their systems and network around the clock to detect potential threats. When an actual threat is identified, they should put their incident response plan into action. The plan should detail the personnel responsible for incident response and the steps they should take to mitigate the threat as quickly as possible.

GDS Can Help You Build Layered Network Security

Other essential security controls include strong passwords, multifactor authentication, and identity and access management. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify any security gaps. However, few small to midsize enterprises have the in-house resources to design, implement and manage a layered security approach.

GDS managed security services provide 24x7x365 monitoring and access to industry-leading tools and expertise, providing robust protection for your systems, applications and data. Let us assess your environment and help you implement a layered security approach that protects against the latest threats. Contact us and request a conversation with our team of IT experts; we’ll explain everything we can do for you — including implementing network security layers — in greater detail.

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