What network security incidents can you detect and prevent?

1 Malware Incidents

Malware incidents are caused by malicious software that infects your network devices, such as computers, servers, routers, or firewalls. Malware can perform various harmful activities, such as stealing or encrypting your data, spying on your network traffic, or launching attacks on other networks. Some examples of malware are viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, or rootkits. To detect malware incidents, you need to use antivirus software, network scanners, or intrusion detection systems (IDS) that can identify and alert you of suspicious files, processes, or behaviors. To prevent malware incidents, you need to update your software and firmware regularly, enforce strong passwords and access policies, and educate your users about the dangers of phishing, social engineering, or downloading untrusted files.

2 Denial-of-Service Incidents

Denial-of-service (DoS) incidents are caused by overwhelming your network resources with excessive or illegitimate requests, such as flooding your servers with traffic, sending malformed packets, or exploiting vulnerabilities. DoS incidents can slow down or crash your network services, making them unavailable to your legitimate users or customers. Some examples of DoS attacks are SYN floods, ping of death, teardrop, or smurf. To detect DoS incidents, you need to use network monitoring tools, such as bandwidth meters, packet analyzers, or flow collectors, that can measure and visualize your network traffic and identify anomalies or spikes. To prevent DoS incidents, you need to implement firewalls, load balancers, or filters that can block or limit unwanted traffic, as well as backup or redundant systems that can maintain your network availability.

3 Unauthorized Access Incidents

Unauthorized access incidents are caused by unauthorized or malicious users who gain access to your network resources, such as data, devices, or accounts. Unauthorized access incidents can compromise your network security, privacy, or compliance, as well as cause damage or theft to your network assets. Some examples of unauthorized access incidents are brute force attacks, credential stuffing, password cracking, or privilege escalation. To detect unauthorized access incidents, you need to use authentication and logging systems, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), or audit trails, that can verify and track your user identities and activities. To prevent unauthorized access incidents, you need to encrypt your data and communications, implement role-based access control (RBAC) or least privilege principle (LPP), and revoke or suspend inactive or compromised accounts.

4 Configuration Errors Incidents

Configuration errors incidents are caused by human mistakes or negligence that result in misconfigured or insecure network settings, such as leaving default passwords, enabling unnecessary services, or exposing sensitive ports. Configuration errors incidents can expose your network to vulnerabilities, attacks, or breaches, as well as reduce your network performance or functionality. Some examples of configuration errors incidents are open ports, weak encryption, or incorrect firewall rules. To detect configuration errors incidents, you need to use configuration management tools, such as scanners, validators, or checklists, that can audit and compare your network settings and identify deviations or errors. To prevent configuration errors incidents, you need to follow best practices and standards, such as CIS benchmarks, NIST guidelines, or ISO frameworks, as well as document and review your network changes and backups.

5 Physical Damage Incidents

Physical damage incidents are caused by natural or man-made disasters that damage or destroy your network hardware, such as power outages, fires, floods, earthquakes, or vandalism. Physical damage incidents can disrupt your network connectivity, reliability, or recovery, as well as cause data loss or corruption. Some examples of physical damage incidents are broken cables, fried circuits, or stolen devices. To detect physical damage incidents, you need to use physical security systems, such as alarms, locks, or cameras, that can monitor and alert you of any unauthorized or hazardous events. To prevent physical damage incidents, you need to protect your network hardware with appropriate measures, such as surge protectors, fire extinguishers, or water sensors, as well as backup or store your data in remote or cloud locations.

6 Compliance Violations Incidents

Compliance violations incidents are caused by failing to comply with the laws, regulations, or standards that apply to your network operations, such as data protection, privacy, or security. Compliance violations incidents can expose your network to legal, financial, or reputational risks, as well as penalties or sanctions. Some examples of compliance violations incidents are data breaches, non-disclosure agreements, or audits. To detect compliance violations incidents, you need to use compliance management tools, such as reports, dashboards, or alerts, that can measure and monitor your network compliance status and performance. To prevent compliance violations incidents, you need to understand and follow the compliance requirements and obligations that affect your network, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS, as well as implement policies and procedures that ensure your network compliance readiness and accountability.

7 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?