Your company’s network security policies are out of date. How can you update them to prevent a breach?

Network security is not a one-time task, but a continuous process that requires regular updates and revisions. If your company’s network security policies are out of date, you may be exposing yourself to unnecessary risks and potential breaches. Here are some steps you can take to update your network security policies and protect your data and systems.

1 Assess your current policies

The first step in assessing your network security is to review your existing policies and identify any gaps, weaknesses, or inconsistencies. Evaluate how well your policies correspond to your business goals, legal requirements, industry standards, and best practices. Also, consider how often your policies are reviewed, updated, and communicated to your employees and stakeholders. Questions to ask yourself include: do your policies cover all aspects of the network such as devices, applications, users, and data? Do they reflect the current threat landscape and the latest technologies and trends? Do they include clear roles and responsibilities, procedures, and guidelines for network security management? Are there adequate training, awareness, and support for network security staff and users? Are there mechanisms for monitoring, auditing, and reporting network security incidents and performance?

Add your perspective

Luiz Henrique Silveira

CTO na BRASILINE TECNOLOGIA | Especialista Fortinet FCP | FCSS (NSE4, NSE5 e 2x NSE7) | Pós graduação em Gestão da Segurança da Informação
Report contribution
Revisar as políticas existentes em relação aos objetivos de negócios, requisitos legais e melhores práticas do setor ajuda a identificar lacunas e garantir que as políticas estejam alinhadas com o cenário atual de ameaças e tecnologias. Além disso, é importante garantir que as políticas incluam funções claras, procedimentos e treinamento adequado para a equipe de segurança de rede e usuários, além de mecanismos para monitorar e relatar incidentes.

Translated

Like

2 Identify your network security needs

The next step is to determine your network security needs and priorities based on your assessment results. You should consider your business objectives, risk appetite, budget, and resources, as well as consult with your network security team, users, and other stakeholders to get their input and feedback. To help you make the best decisions, ask yourself questions such as: what are the main network security risks and challenges that you face or anticipate? What are the goals and outcomes that you want to achieve or improve? What are the requirements and expectations that you have to meet or exceed? Are there any gaps or opportunities that you have to address or leverage? And what are the resources and capabilities that you have or need?

Add your perspective

Luiz Henrique Silveira

CTO na BRASILINE TECNOLOGIA | Especialista Fortinet FCP | FCSS (NSE4, NSE5 e 2x NSE7) | Pós graduação em Gestão da Segurança da Informação
Report contribution
Ao determinar as necessidades de segurança de rede, é crucial considerar uma variedade de fatores, incluindo objetivos de negócios, riscos, orçamento e feedback da equipe e partes interessadas. Ao fazer as perguntas certas e envolver todas as partes relevantes, você pode garantir que suas decisões estejam alinhadas com os objetivos e requisitos da organização, permitindo uma abordagem eficaz e abrangente para a segurança cibernética.

Translated

Like
Tejas Vishe

Security Administrator @Safran| Top Network Security Voice |Ex Accenture| Ex Wipro |Network Security | Cloud & Cyber Security |Palo Alto |Azure|F5 LTM
Report contribution
✔Regular Security Audits ✔Stay Informed on Threats ✔Update Security Policies ✔Implement Multi-Factor Authentication ✔Encrypt Sensitive Data ✔Patch and Update Regularly ✔User Education and Training ✔Secure Network Perimeters ✔Implement Intrusion Detection and Prevention ✔Secure Endpoint Devices

Like

3 Update your network security policies

The third step is to update your network security policies based on your network security needs and priorities. You should revise your policies to make them more relevant, comprehensive, and effective, while also ensuring consistency, clarity, and conciseness. To do this, you can use a network security policy template or framework to guide policy development and ensure completeness. Additionally, you should use a network security policy lifecycle to manage updates and ensure timeliness and quality. Furthermore, you should use a network security policy document to record policy updates and ensure traceability and accountability. Finally, a network security policy communication plan can be used to disseminate updates and ensure awareness and compliance.

Add your perspective

Luiz Henrique Silveira

CTO na BRASILINE TECNOLOGIA | Especialista Fortinet FCP | FCSS (NSE4, NSE5 e 2x NSE7) | Pós graduação em Gestão da Segurança da Informação
Report contribution
Atualizar as políticas de segurança de rede é um passo essencial para garantir uma defesa eficaz contra ameaças cibernéticas. Ao revisar e atualizar suas políticas com base nas necessidades e prioridades específicas da sua organização, você pode garantir que elas sejam relevantes, abrangentes e claras. Utilizar modelos e ciclos de vida de políticas, juntamente com planos de comunicação, ajuda a garantir a integridade, pontualidade e conscientização das políticas atualizadas.

Translated

Like
Nik Mitev

Cyber security specialist and python developer
Report contribution
Network security policies should ensure that network access to your assets is allowed only where required and blocked by default. Much like you would not use a Domain Admin account to check your email, you should not grant full network access where there is no legitimate need for it. The above can be difficult to implement in large and complex networks. In such cases, applying restrictions (e.g. network access lists) in monitoring mode can be very helpful. Devise your security policy an apply it such that it logs rather than rejects newly blocked traffic. Review the logs after a while. If you are seeing consistent use of a service, investigate the traffic further to ensure its legitimacy.

Like

4 Implement your network security policies

The fourth step is to implement your network security policies and ensure they are enforced and followed. This includes deploying your policies to network devices, applications, users, and data, as well as providing training, guidance, and support to network security staff and users. To automate or streamline policy implementation, you can use a network security policy deployment tool or method. Additionally, a network security policy training program or module can be used to educate or refresh staff and users on policy updates. Furthermore, a network security policy help desk or portal can help resolve queries or issues on policy updates. All of these actions will help ensure understanding and adherence of the policies, as well as satisfaction and feedback.

Add your perspective

Tejas Vishe

Security Administrator @Safran| Top Network Security Voice |Ex Accenture| Ex Wipro |Network Security | Cloud & Cyber Security |Palo Alto |Azure|F5 LTM
Report contribution
✅Regular Audits: Conduct routine security audits for vulnerability identification. ✅Automated Updates: Implement automated tools for software and security patch updates. ✅Employee Training: Provide ongoing security training to employees. ✅Network Monitoring: Utilize tools for detecting anomalies and potential breaches. ✅Incident Response Plan: Develop and update a comprehensive incident response plan. ✅Access Control: Enforce strict access controls following the principle of least privilege. ✅Data Encryption: Implement strong encryption for sensitive data in transit and at rest. ✅Policy Review: Periodically review and update security policies to address evolving threats.

Like

5 Monitor and evaluate your network security policies

The final step is to monitor and evaluate your network security policies and ensure that they are effective and efficient. You should measure and analyze your network security performance, incidents, and feedback, then use a network security policy monitoring tool or system to collect data and metrics for visibility and transparency. Additionally, you can use a network security policy evaluation technique or model to assess or benchmark results and outcomes for validity and reliability. Lastly, a network security policy review process or cycle can help update or refine policies for relevance and responsiveness.

Add your perspective

6 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?

Add your perspective

Your company’s network security policies are out of date. How can you update them to prevent a breach?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Assess your current policies

2 Identify your network security needs

3 Update your network security policies

4 Implement your network security policies

5 Monitor and evaluate your network security policies

6 Here’s what else to consider

Network Security

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Network Security

More relevant reading

Your company’s network security policies are out of date. How can you update them to prevent a breach?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Assess your current policies

2 Identify your network security needs

3 Update your network security policies

4 Implement your network security policies

5 Monitor and evaluate your network security policies

6 Here’s what else to consider

Network Security

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills