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Networking News: Cloud Monitoring + IoT Security

August 6, 2019

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In this day and age, the networking world is constantly changing with discovered risks and issues from new technologies, monitoring and security measures in new cloud environments, and many more. With so much note-worthy news, here are some snippets from interesting articles and updates from the industry this month, and what it could mean for the industry as a whole.


How to Monitor Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Networks

Most enterprises now use two or more cloud service providers, and 35% use up to five monitoring tools to keep tabs on hybrid cloud and multi-cloud environments. There is an inherent need to keep up with the skills and efforts associated with gaining full network visibility due to this cloud migration. There is no one vendor that has an all-in-one solution when it comes to monitoring the cloud as the environment is getting more complex. Read more  to learn how you can find ways to encompass all when looking into cloud network traffic and protecting your data.

 

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7 Steps to Enhance IoT Security

When trying to secure the Internet of Things (IoT), many companies need to shift their efforts across multiple areas in order to have a much more holistic approach and ensure networks, systems, data and devices are well protected. There had been many data breaches related to IoT this year already, hence many companies must explore various ways to increase their monitoring and surveillance efforts. Here are 7 security practices that you can consider when augmenting IoT security. Read more.

 

How to Get the Most Out of Network Performance Management Tools

As mentioned in the previous article, due to the ever expanding demands on monitoring and securing today’s network, many IT admins are challenged with managing multiple network performance management tools in order to keep up with threats and breaches. If these tools remain siloed, most of the network operations might be fragmented and hence not be as efficient when keeping your network secure. Read more here for an insight from an EMA™ researcher on ways to manage tools better. 

    

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Heartbeats Packets Inside the Bypass TAP

If the inline security tool goes off-line, the TAP will bypass the tool and automatically keep the link flowing. The Bypass TAP does this by sending heartbeat packets to the inline security tool. As long as the inline security tool is on-line, the heartbeat packets will be returned to the TAP, and the link traffic will continue to flow through the inline security tool.

If the heartbeat packets are not returned to the TAP (indicating that the inline security tool has gone off-line), the TAP will automatically 'bypass' the inline security tool and keep the link traffic flowing. The TAP also removes the heartbeat packets before sending the network traffic back onto the critical link.

While the TAP is in bypass mode, it continues to send heartbeat packets out to the inline security tool so that once the tool is back on-line, it will begin returning the heartbeat packets back to the TAP indicating that the tool is ready to go back to work. The TAP will then direct the network traffic back through the inline security tool along with the heartbeat packets placing the tool back inline.

Some of you may have noticed a flaw in the logic behind this solution!  You say, “What if the TAP should fail because it is also in-line? Then the link will also fail!” The TAP would now be considered a point of failure. That is a good catch – but in our blog on Bypass vs. Failsafe, I explained that if a TAP were to fail or lose power, it must provide failsafe protection to the link it is attached to. So our network TAP will go into Failsafe mode keeping the link flowing.

Glossary

  1. Single point of failure: a risk to an IT network if one part of the system brings down a larger part of the entire system.

  2. Heartbeat packet: a soft detection technology that monitors the health of inline appliances. Read the heartbeat packet blog here.

  3. Critical link: the connection between two or more network devices or appliances that if the connection fails then the network is disrupted.

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