Network security issues are as rampant as ever, but a certain kind of attack is both the most common and the most destructive, and they are DOS and DDOS attacks – also known as Denial Of Service and Distributed Denial Of Service attacks . They are strategies that hackers use to overwhelm your website, take it down, and inject it with malware as it’s restarting.
This rebooting phase is when your network is most susceptible to security issues, but it is exponentially more vulnerable if you don’t have complete network visibility, especially outside of your firewall.
A network TAP placed outside of your firewall gives you insight into what types of attacks hackers are testing on your network. With this knowledge, you have the power to take down your website gracefully and bring it back up yourself rather than letting hackers take complete control.
Plus, should an attacker succeed, you want to be the first person in your organization to know.
Consider leveraging the following applications to bolster your network security. Ensure that they have a complete, uninterrupted flow of traffic data from a strategically placed network TAP.
Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW)
Next-generation firewalls integrate additional functions beyond a basic firewall, including SSL decryption, advanced blocking technology, application-focused capabilities, and IPS. These protect both hardware and software, and they have a great focus on your application layer. Their issue, though, is that they don’t have any recognition software, so they generally cover application awareness only.
Intrusion Prevention And Detection Systems (IPS and IDS)
IPS is used to identify specific behavioral patterns that typically foreshadow an attack. Should the system discover such a pattern, it would then alert you to take action. Moreover, it’s usually installed in-band and can start blocking attacks on its own if configured to do so.
More data is becoming encrypted, especially with next-gen firewalls, IPS, and other in-line devices. For instance, the use of an S-line box is very popular at banking institutions. It brings in traffic, pushes it through SSL encryption, then through IPS, and back through encryption.
IDS, on the other hand, is normally implemented out-of-band. It is used only to detect issues (as the name would suggest) and alert you.
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Web Application Firewalls (WAF)
Firewalls are an important component of your perimeter security. They’re like the bouncers to your bar. But, while bouncers do their best to keep out rowdy visitors, some unwanted company still makes its way in.
Unfortunately, all firewalls are capable of being hacked. You can’t rely on active components. Unlike firewalls and similar devices, though, network TAPs are not hackable. They always tell you the unbiased truth.
Forensics, Packet Capture, And Lawful Intercept
With forensics, data capture, and lawful intercept, data is captured via a recorder. Leveraging a network TAP for these applications and products is paramount. Without complete data, you might as well throw out your forensics and data capture.
Combating network security issues is critical to your organization, from both a reputational and monetary perspective. If you invest in these security applications, you must protect and maximize your investment by arming them with the data they need.
Attackers tend to have the upper hand, but with a strategic approach and sound network design, you stand a better chance of protecting your data and business from network security issues.
Looking to add inline and out-of-band Security solutions to your security deployment, but not sure where to start? Join us for a brief network Design-IT consultation or demo. No obligation - it’s what we love to do!
