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Prof. Avishai Wool, AlgoSec co-founder and CTO, stresses the importance of getting the often-overlooked function of managing network... Professor Wool Bridging Network Security Gaps with Better Network Object Management Prof. Avishai Wool 2 min read Prof. Avishai Wool Short bio about author here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Vitae donec tincidunt elementum quam laoreet duis sit enim. Duis mattis velit sit leo diam. Tags Share this article 4/13/22 Published Prof. Avishai Wool, AlgoSec co-founder and CTO, stresses the importance of getting the often-overlooked function of managing network objects right, particularly in hybrid or multi-vendor environments Using network traffic filtering solutions from multiple vendors makes network object management much more challenging. Each vendor has its own management platform, which often forces network security admins to define objects multiple times, resulting in a counter effect. First and foremost, this can be an inefficient use of valuable resources from a workload bottlenecking perspective. Secondly, it creates a lack of naming consistency and introduces a myriad of unexpected errors, leading to security flaws and connectivity problems. This can be particularly applicable when a new change request is made. With these unique challenges at play, it begs the question: Are businesses doing enough to ensure their network objects are synchronized in both legacy and greenfield environments? What is network object management? At its most basic, the management of network objects refers to how we name and define “objects” within a network. These objects can be servers, IP addresses, or groups of simpler objects. Since these objects are subsequently used in network security policies, it is imperative to simultaneously apply a given rule to an object or object group. On its own, that’s a relatively straightforward method of organizing the security policy. But over time, as organizations reach scale, they often end up with large quantities of network objects in the tens of thousands, which typically lead to critical mistakes. Hybrid or multi-vendor networks Let’s take name duplication as an example. Duplication on its own is bad enough due to the wasted resource, but what’s worse is when two copies of the same name have two distinctly different definitions. Let’s say we have a group of database servers in Environment X containing three IP addresses. This group is allocated a name, say “DBs”. That name is then used to define a group of database servers in Environment Y containing only two IP addresses because someone forgot to add in the third. In this example, the security policy rule using the name DBs would look absolutely fine to even a well-trained eye, because the names and definitions it contained would seem identical. But the problem lies in what appears below the surface: one of these groups would only apply to two IP addresses rather than three. As in this case, minor discrepancies are commonplace and can quickly spiral into more significant security issues if not dealt with in the utmost time-sensitive manner. It’s important to remember that accuracy is the name in this game. If a business is 100% accurate in the way it handles network object management, then it has the potential to be 100% efficient. The Bottom Line The security and efficiency of hybrid multi-vendor environments depend on an organization’s digital hygiene and network housekeeping. The naming and management of network objects aren’t particularly glamorous tasks. Having said that, everything from compliance and automation to security and scalability will be far more seamless and risk averse if taken care of correctly. To learn more about network object management and why it’s arguably more important now than ever before, watch our webcast on the subject or read more in our resource hub . Schedule a demo Related Articles When change forces your hand: Finding solid ground after Skybox Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read The shocking truth about Network Cloud Security in 2025 Cloud Network Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Introducing AlgoSec Cloud Enterprise: Your Comprehensive App-First Cloud Security Solution Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Speak to one of our experts Speak to one of our experts Work email* First name* Last name* Company* Phone number* country* Select country... By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

Securely accelerate application delivery by automating application connectivity and security policy across the hybrid network estate. AlgoSecセキュリティマネジメントソリューション Bienvenue! クラウドセキュリティ制御およびオンプレミスファイアウォールのポリシー管理は、細心のバランスを要する作業です。一方でアタックサーフェスと呼ばれる外部脅威への露出を最小限に抑え、リスクを減らし、一方では重要なビジネス・アプリケーションへの接続を提供することで、生産性を向上させる必要があります。そして、ネットワークのセキュリティポリシーの管理プロセスは、常に複雑で、エラーが多く時間のかかるものでした。
しかし、今はもうその必要はありません。 AlgoSecはオンプレミスとクラウド上のネットワークセキュリティポリシーの管理を簡素化、自動化して、企業の俊敏性とセキュリティを強化し、常にコンプライアンスを遵守する環境を提供します。 セキュリティポリシーのライフサイクルマネジメントへ独自のアプローチ AlgoSecは、セキュリティポリシーのライフサイクル全体を管理し、ビジネスアプリケーションの継続的かつ安全な接続を確保するユニークなソリューションです。 アプリケーションのコネクティビティを自動的に検出し、リスクを事前に分析の上で、ネットワークセキュリティの変更を素早く実行、さらにファイアウォールルールを安全に削除することができます。 これらは、お客様のマルチベンダー環境での運用を調和し、自動的かつスムーズに行われます。 AlgoSecソリューションの利用例 クラウド環境とオンプレミス環境のネットワークセキュリティポリシー管理を統一 継続的にコンプライアンスを遵守し、ファイアウォール監査の準備にかかる時間とコストを大幅に削減 迅速かつ安全にアプリケーション接続を提供し、ネットワークのダウンタイムを防止 セキュリティ、ネットワーク、およびアプリケーションチーム間の連携で、DevSecOpsを促進 ファイアウォールの変更管理を自動化し、設定エラーを回避 適切なセキュリティ構成と効果的なネットワークセグメンテーションによりリスクを削減 AlgoSecセキュリティマネジメントソリューション ネットワークセキュリティポリシーの分析 より詳しい情報 Firewall Analyzer セキュリティポリシーの変更を自動化 より詳しい情報 FireFlow ROIを計算 AlgoSecホワイトペーパー コンタクト AlgoSec 日本担当 Email: [email protected] Relevant links TELEFÓNICA MÉXICO Estudio de caso NATURA Estudio de caso Schedule time with one of our experts

Network vulnerability scanning provides in-depth insight into your organization’s security posture and highlights the specific types of... Network Security 5 Best Network Vulnerability Scanning Tools in 2024 Tsippi Dach 9 min read Tsippi Dach Short bio about author here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Vitae donec tincidunt elementum quam laoreet duis sit enim. Duis mattis velit sit leo diam. Tags Share this article 2/11/24 Published Network vulnerability scanning provides in-depth insight into your organization’s security posture and highlights the specific types of vulnerabilities attackers may exploit when targeting it. These tools work by systematically scanning your network environment — including all desktops, laptops, mobile endpoints, servers, and other assets for known weaknesses and misconfigurations. Your analyzer then produces a detailed report that tells you exactly how hackers might breach your systems. Find out how these important tools contribute to successfully managing your security policies and protecting sensitive assets from cybercriminals and malware. What is Network Vulnerability Management? Network vulnerability scanners are cybersecurity solutions typically delivered under a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model. These solutions match your network asset configurations with a comprehensive list of known misconfigurations and security threats, including unpatched software, open ports, and other security issues. By comparing system details against a comprehensive database of known vulnerabilities, network scanning helps pinpoint areas of weakness that could potentially be exploited by threat actors. This proactive approach is essential for maintaining robust network security and protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access and cyberattacks. This provides your organization with several valuable benefits: Early detection of known security vulnerabilities. If your organization is exposed to security threats that leverage known vulnerabilities, you’ll want to address these security gaps as soon as possible. Comprehensive data for efficient risk management. Knowing exactly how many security vulnerabilities your organization is exposed to gives you clear data for conducting in-depth risk management . Regulatory compliance. Many regulatory compliance frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS require organizations to undergo regular vulnerability scanning. Reduced costs. Automating the process of scanning for vulnerabilities reduces the costs associated with discovering and remediating security weaknesses manually. Key Features and Functions The best network security vulnerability scanners have several important features in common: Prioritized vulnerability assessment tools. You need to be able to assess and prioritize vulnerabilities based on their severity. This allows you to commit security resources to addressing high-priority vulnerabilities first, and taking care of low-impact weaknesses afterwards. Automation and real-time analysis. Manual scanning is a difficult and time-consuming process. Your vulnerability scanner must support automated, ongoing scanning for real-time vulnerability detection, providing on-demand insights into your security risk profile. Integration with remediation tools: The best network vulnerability scanners integrate with other security tools for quick mitigation and remediation. This lets security teams quickly close security gaps and move on to the next, without having to spend time accessing and managing a separate set of security tools. How Network Vulnerability Scanning Tools Work Step 1. Scanning Process Initial network mapping is the first step in the vulnerability scanning process. At this point, your scanner maps your entire network and identifies every device and asset connected to it. This includes all web servers, workstations, firewalls , and network devices. The automatic discovery process should produce a comprehensive map showing how your network is connected, and show detailed information about each network device. It should include comprehensive port scanning to identify open ports that attackers could use to gain entry to the network. Step 2. Detection Techniques The next step in the process involves leveraging advanced detection techniques to identify known vulnerabilities in the network. Most network vulnerability scanners rely on two specific techniques to achieve this: Signature-Based Detection: The scanner checks for known vulnerabilities by comparing system details against a database of known issues. This database is drawn from extensive threat intelligence feeds and public records like the MITRE CVE Program . Heuristic Analysis: This technique relies on heuristic and behavioral techniques to identify unknown or zero-day vulnerabilities based on unusual system behavior or configurations. It may detect suspicious activities that don’t correspond to known threats, prompting further investigation. Step 3. Vulnerability Identification This step involves checking network assets for known vulnerabilities according to their unique risk profile. This includes scanning for outdated software and operating system versions, and looking for misconfigurations in network devices and settings. Most network scanners achieve this by pinging network-accessible systems, sending them TCP/UDP packets, and remotely logging into compatible systems to gather detailed information about them. Highly advanced network vulnerability scanning tools have more comprehensive sets of features for identifying these vulnerabilities, because they recognize a wider, more up-to-date range of network devices. Step 4. Assessment and Reporting This step describes the process of matching network data to known vulnerabilities and prioritizing them based on their severity. Advanced network scanning devices may use automation and sophisticated scripting to produce a list of vulnerabilities and exposed network components. First, each vulnerability is assessed for its potential impact and risk level, often based on industry-wide compliance standards like NIST. Then the tool prioritizes each vulnerability based on its severity, ease of exploitation, and potential impact on the network. Afterwards, the tool generates a detailed report outlining every vulnerability assessed and ranking it according to its severity. These reports guide the security teams in addressing the identified issues. Step 5. Continuous Monitoring and Updates Scanning for vulnerabilities once is helpful, but it won’t help you achieve the long-term goal of keeping your network protected against new and emerging threats. To do that, you need to continuously monitor your network for new weaknesses and establish workflows for resolving security issues proactively. Many advanced scanners provide real-time monitoring, constantly scanning the network for new vulnerabilities as they emerge. Regular updates to the scanner’s vulnerability database ensure it can recognize the latest known vulnerabilities and threats. If your vulnerability scanner doesn’t support these two important features, you may need to invest additional time and effort into time-consuming manual operations that achieve the same results. Step 6. Integration with Other Security Measures Security leaders must pay close attention to what happens after a vulnerability scan detects an outdated software patch or misconfiguration. Alerting security teams to the danger represented by these weaknesses is only the first step towards actually resolving them, and many scanning tools offer comprehensive integrations for launching remediation actions. Remediation integrations are valuable because they allow security teams to quickly address vulnerabilities immediately upon discovering them. The alternative is creating a list of weaknesses and having the team manually go through them, which takes time and distracts from higher-impact security tasks. Another useful integration involves large-scale security posture analytics. If your vulnerability assessment includes analysis and management tools for addressing observable patterns in your network vulnerability scans, it will be much easier to dedicate resources to the appropriate security-enhancing initiatives. Choosing a Network Vulnerability Scanning Solution There are two major categories of features that network vulnerability scanning tools must offer in order to provide best-in-class coverage against sophisticated threats. Keep these aspects in mind when reviewing your options for deploying vulnerability scans in your security workflow. Important Considerations Comprehensive Vulnerability Database. Access to an extensive CVE database is vital. Many of these are open-source and available to the general public, but the sheer number of CVE records can drag down performance. The best vulnerability management tools have highly optimized APIs capable of processing these records quickly. Customizability and Templates. Tailoring scans to specific needs and environments is important for every organization, but it takes on special significance for organizations seeking to demonstrate regulatory compliance. That’s because the outcome of compliance assessments and audits will depend on the quality of data included in your reports. False Positive Management. All vulnerability scanners are susceptible to displaying false positives, but some manage these events better than others. This is especially important in misconfiguration cases, because it can cause security teams to mistakenly misconfigure security tools that were configured correctly in the first place. Business Essentials Support for Various Platforms. Your vulnerability scan must ingest data from multiple operating systems like Windows, Linux, and a variety of cloud platforms. If any of these systems are not compatible with the scanning process, you may end up with unstable performance or unreliable data. Reporting and Analytics. Detailed reports and analytics help you establish a clear security posture assessment. Your vulnerability management tool must provide clear reports that are easy for non-technical stakeholders to understand. This will help you make the case for necessary security investments in the future. Scalability and Flexibility. These solutions must scale with the growth of your organization’s IT infrastructure . Pay attention to the usage and payment model each vulnerability scanning vendor uses. Some of them may be better suited to small, growing organizations while others are more appropriate for large enterprises and government agencies. Top 5 Network Vulnerability Scanning Providers 1. AlgoSec AlgoSec is a network security platform that helps organizations identify vulnerabilities and orchestrate network security policies in response. It includes comprehensive features for managing firewalls routers , and other security device configurations, and enables teams to proactively scan for new vulnerabilities on their network. AlgoSec reports on misconfigurations and vulnerabilities, and can show how simulated changes to IT infrastructure impact the organization’s security posture. It provides in-depth visibility and control over multi-cloud and on-premises environments. Key features: Comprehensive network mapping. AlgoSec supports automatic network asset discovery, giving security teams complete coverage of the hybrid network. In-depth automation. The platform supports automatic security policy updates in response to detected security vulnerabilities, allowing security teams to manage risk proactively. Detailed risk analysis. When AlgoSec detects a vulnerability, it provides complete details and background on the vulnerability itself and the risk it represents. 2. Tenable Nessus Tenable Nessus is one of the industry’s most reputable names in vulnerability assessment and management. It is widely used to identify and fix vulnerabilities including software flaws, missing security patches, and misconfigurations. It supports a wide range of operating systems and applications, making it a flexible tool for many different use cases. Key features: High-speed discovery. Tenable supports high speed network asset discovery scans through advanced features. Break up scans into easily managed subnetworks and configure ping settings to make the scan faster. Configuration auditing. Security teams can ensure IT assets are compliant with specific compliance-oriented audit policies designed to meet a wide range of assets and standards. Sensitive data discovery. Tenable Nessus can discover sensitive data located on the network and provide clear, actionable steps for protecting that data in compliance with regulatory standards. 3. Rapid7 Nexpose Nexpose offers real-time monitoring and risk assessment designed for enterprise organizations. As an on-premises vulnerability scanner, the solution is well-suited to the needs of large organizations with significant IT infrastructure deployments. It collects vulnerability information, prioritizes it effectively, and provides guidance on remediating risks. Key Features: Enterprise-ready on-premises form factor. Rapid7 designed Nexpose to meet the needs of large organizations with constant vulnerability scanning needs. Live monitoring of the attack surface. Organizations can continuously scan their IT environment and prioritize discovered vulnerabilities using more than 50 filters to create asset groups that correspond to known threats. Integration with penetration testing. Rapid7 comes with a wide range of fully supported integrations and provides vulnerability and exploitability context useful for pentest scenarios. 4. Qualys Qualys is an enterprise cloud security provider that includes vulnerability management in its IT security and compliance platform. It includes features that help security teams understand and manage security risks while automating remediation with intuitive no-code workflows. It integrates well with other enterprise security solutions, but may not be accessible for smaller organizations. Key features: All-in-one vulnerability management workflow . Qualys covers all of your vulnerability scanning and remediation needs in a single, centralized platform. It conducts asset discovery, detects vulnerabilities, prioritizes findings, and launches responses with deep customization and automation capabilities. Web application scanning . The platform is well-suited to organizations with extensive public-facing web applications outside the network perimeter. It supports container runtime security, including container-as-a-service environments. Complete compliance reporting . Security teams can renew expiring certificates directly through Qualys, making it a comprehensive solution to obtaining and maintaining compliance. 5. OpenVAS (Greenbone Networks) OpenVAS is an open-source tool that offers a comprehensive scanning to organizations of all sizes. It is available under a General Public License (GPL) agreement, making it a cost-effective option compared to competing proprietary software options. It supports a range of customizable plugins through its open source developer community. Key Features: Open-source vulnerability scanner. Organizations can use and customize OpenVAS at no charge, giving it a significant advantage for organizations that prioritize cost savings. Customizable plugins. As with many open-source tools, there is a thriving community of developers involved in creating customizable plugins for unique use cases. Supports a wide range of vulnerability tests . The high level of customization offered by OpenVAS allows security teams to run many different kinds of vulnerability tests from a single, centralized interface. Honorable Mentions Nmap (Network Mapper): A versatile and free open-source tool, NMAP is popular for network discovery and security auditing. It’s particularly noted for its flexibility in scanning both large networks and single hosts. Nmap is a powerful and popular Linux command-line tool commonly featured in cybersecurity education courses. Microsoft’s Azure Security Center: Ideal for organizations heavily invested in the Azure cloud platform, this tool provides integrated security monitoring and policy management across hybrid cloud workloads. It unifies many different security features, including vulnerability assessment, proactive threat hunting, and more. IBM Security QRadar Vulnerability Manager: This is a comprehensive solution that integrates with other IBM QRadar products, providing a full-spectrum view of network vulnerabilities. It’s especially valuable for enterprises that already rely on IBM infrastructure for security workflows. McAfee Vulnerability Manager: A well-known solution offering robust vulnerability scanning capabilities, with additional features for risk and compliance management. It provides a combination of active and passive monitoring, along with penetration testing and authentication scanning designed to provide maximum protection to sensitive network assets. Choosing the Right Vulnerability Management Tool Choosing the right vulnerability management tool requires in-depth knowledge of your organization’s security and IT infrastructure context. You need to select the tool that matches your unique use cases and security requirements while providing the support you need to achieve long-term business goals. Those goals may change over time, which makes ongoing evaluation of your security tools an even more important strategic asset to keep in your arsenal. Gathering clear and detailed information about your organization’s security posture allows you to flexibility adapt to changes in your IT environment without exposing sensitive assets to additional risk. AlgoSec provides a wide range of flexible options for vulnerability scanning, policy change management, and proactive configuration simulation. Enhance your organization’s security capabilities by deploying a vulnerability management solution that provides the visibility and flexibility you need to stay on top of a challenging industry. Schedule a demo Related Articles When change forces your hand: Finding solid ground after Skybox Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read The shocking truth about Network Cloud Security in 2025 Cloud Network Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Introducing AlgoSec Cloud Enterprise: Your Comprehensive App-First Cloud Security Solution Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Speak to one of our experts Speak to one of our experts Work email* First name* Last name* Company* Phone number* country* Select country... By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

So, you’ve dipped your toes into the cloud, chasing after that sweet combo of efficiency, scalability, and innovation. But, hold up –... Application Connectivity Management Unlocking the secrets of a rock-solid cloud security game plan Malynnda Littky-Porath 3 min read Malynnda Littky-Porath Short bio about author here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Vitae donec tincidunt elementum quam laoreet duis sit enim. Duis mattis velit sit leo diam. Tags Share this article 12/13/23 Published So, you’ve dipped your toes into the cloud, chasing after that sweet combo of efficiency, scalability, and innovation. But, hold up – with great power comes great responsibility. It’s time to build up those digital defenses against all the lurking risks that come with the cloud craze. Since we’re all jumping headfirst into cloud computing, let’s talk about some killer moves and strategies that can turn your organization into a fortress of cloud security, ready to take on anything. Mastering the Cloud Security Playground Picture this: you’re in a race to grab the transformative benefits of the cloud, and every step forward is like leveling up. Sounds cool, right? But, before you go all in, you need to get the lowdown on the constantly changing world of cloud security. Picking Your Defender: What Cloud Providers Bring to the Table Choosing a cloud provider is like choosing your champion. Think AWS, GCP, Azure – these giants are committed to providing you with a secure playground. They’ve got this crazy mix of cutting-edge security tech and artificial intelligence that builds a solid foundation. And guess what? Diversifying your cloud playground can be a power move. Many smart organizations go for a multi-cloud setup, and tools like AlgoSec make it a breeze to manage security across all your cloud domains. The Hybrid Puzzle: Where Security Meets the Unknown Okay, let’s talk about the big debate – going all-in on the cloud versus having a foot in both worlds. It’s not just a tech decision; it’s like choosing your organization’s security philosophy. Keeping some stuff on-premises is like having a security safety net. To navigate this mixed-up world successfully, you need a security strategy that brings everything together. Imagine having a magic lens that gives you a clear view of everything – risks, compliance, and automated policies. That’s the compass guiding your ship through the hybrid storm. A Master Plan for Safe Cloud Travels In this digital universe where data and applications are buzzing around like crazy, moving to the cloud needs more than just a casual stroll. It needs a well-thought-out plan with security as the VIP guest. App Connections: The Soul of Cloud Migration Apps are like the lifeblood of your organization, and moving them around recklessly is a big no-no. Imagine teaming up with buddies like Cisco Secure Workload, Illumio, and Guardicore. Together, they map out your apps, reveal their relationships, and lay down policies. This means you can make smart moves that keep your apps happy and safe. The Perfect Move: Nailing the Application Switch When you’re moving apps , it’s all about precision – like conducting a symphony. Don’t get tangled up between the cloud and your old-school setup. The secret? Move the heavy-hitters together to keep everything smooth, just like a perfectly choreographed dance. Cleaning House: Getting Rid of Old Habits Before you let the cloud into your life, do a little Marie Kondo on your digital space. Toss out those old policies, declutter the legacy baggage, and create a clean slate. AlgoSec is all about minimizing risks – tune, optimize, and refine your policies for a fresh start. Think of it as a digital spring-cleaning that ensures your cloud journey is free from the ghosts of the past. The Cloud’s Secure Horizon As we venture deeper into the digital unknown, cloud security becomes a challenge and a golden opportunity. Every step towards a cloud-fueled future is a call to arms. It’s a call to weave security into the very fabric of our cloud adventures. Embrace the best practices, charge ahead with a kick-butt strategy, and make sure the cloud’s promise of a brighter tomorrow is backed up by an ironclad commitment to security. Now, that’s how you level up in the cloud game! Schedule a demo Related Articles When change forces your hand: Finding solid ground after Skybox Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read The shocking truth about Network Cloud Security in 2025 Cloud Network Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Introducing AlgoSec Cloud Enterprise: Your Comprehensive App-First Cloud Security Solution Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Speak to one of our experts Speak to one of our experts Work email* First name* Last name* Company* Phone number* country* Select country... By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

Security policy automation is the process of automating certain cybersecurity tasks like threat detection (ransomware, malware, security... Firewall Policy Management What is Network Security Policy Automation? Tsippi Dach 6 min read Tsippi Dach Short bio about author here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Vitae donec tincidunt elementum quam laoreet duis sit enim. Duis mattis velit sit leo diam. Tags Share this article 8/9/23 Published Security policy automation is the process of automating certain cybersecurity tasks like threat detection (ransomware, malware, security rules, network changes), investigation, and remediation. Automating such practices reflects in the policy that governs them. Thus, security policy automation is the process of automating network security controls using a programmatic solution. In present-day security operation centers (SOCs), NSPM solutions can facilitate automation. These work by identifying vulnerabilities, threats, and attack surfaces in the security posture, assessing them, prioritizing them, responding to them in order through pre-defined actions, and streamlining the process for the security executives. So, automation doesn’t mean everything from end to end is automated. Some human intervention may be necessary, at least at the higher decision-making level. Benefits of network security policy automation Automation in security policy has several benefits for an organization. Thus, it’s not hard to see why companies are pumping money into network security automation solutions . Some of the proven benefits are: Automate manual tasks in cybersecurity The primary benefit of any automation practice is to reduce manual labor. Connectivity security automation frees up resources from many redundant manual tasks, which you can then deploy elsewhere. This automation yields several other benefits that make automation irresistible for companies. Bring down false positive alerts False positive alerts or alarms are those instances where the cloud security system gets triggered because of a false threat, like firewall rules . In other words, the management platform perceives certain actions to be threatening, which actually are harmless. This consumes unnecessary resources. IT teams can prevent such real-time false alerts by making use of regulatory automation. Automation tools can detect and verify such alarms and take pre-defined actions should the alerts be false. Consider it a second check before raising the issue at a higher level. Reduce downtime Downtime is one of the pressing issues in IT departments. A study by Gartner penned the average cost of downtime at $5,600 per minute for certain businesses. When the system detects a threat, it typically shuts down certain network segments (like web services, routers, and so on). This can result in downtime. Some downtimes might be unavoidable, but those arising from false positive alerts certainly are. Thus, network security policy automation helps in that regard too. Reduce headcount There’s a shortage of talent in the cybersecurity And often, competent men and women demand sky-high salaries. So, from an economic standpoint, using automation to counter the lack of talent makes sense. With automation, you can divert human resources to other productive tasks. Make compliance easier Compliance is critical for businesses, especially in critical insurance, medical, and legal sectors. Up-to-date infrastructure comprising of Cisco, AWS, Tufin , and other reputed companies with the latest cybersecurity measures is one of the prerequisites laid out by most regulators. Network security policy automation can help update the infrastructure to the latest standards. This, in turn, helps the business stay compliant. Why is automation still a challenge in network security? Despite all its promises and proven benefits, many companies are reluctant to invest in security automation And the reason is it’s challenging to do so. Automation is hard because management itself is hard. You can’t automate something you can’t fully manage properly. E mployees, teams, and projects change, as do the access control Because of such a dynamic environment, automation is still challenging. Another reason is teams tend to work in silos. Multiple stakeholders are involved, including the customers, who must understand and accept the changes. Automation in such instances, known as Deploy and Configure, remains a challenge. But despite the challenges, there are ways to automate multi-vendor on-premises network security Even if you successfully automate some aspects of the policy, it’d be a huge time and resource saver. How to automate network security policy management? Cloud-based security policy automation has been around for quite some time. It has received upgrades over time and has gotten better. Let’s look at present-day automation practices, change processes, and troubleshooting tips. Review the current policy You can’t start from scratch, especially if you have an existing network security policy . The best approach is to start automation from where you are. This way, your security teams do not need to make drastic changes, which may put your network in a more vulnerable state. So as a first step, review your existing cloud environments policy and establish needs. Post that, formulate a plan on which things you can automate and which require manual intervention. Start with things that can be automated. If starting from starch, you must create a security policy first. So, hire cybersecurity experts from AlgoSec to formulate and optimize a policy for your organization’s hybrid network. You can also use Prevasio CNAPP to manage the multi-cloud security You might also want to conduct a webinar if important stakeholders work remotely. The idea is to bring everyone on the same page. Select the type of security automation tools There are three types of hybrid environment security automation tools to choose from. These are no-code, low-code, and full-code automation. The type of automation you select will impact your security policy changes . Pricing of each tool will also play an important role. No-code security automation is the newest type. As the name suggests, such tools do not require coding to automate network security . There are several use cases and pre-made workflows that you can use right off the bat. These are much easier to manage but don’t grant you complete control over the policy. You can have several automation tools within low-code tools like some-code or more-code. Most businesses prefer these security tools since they offer a balance of user-friendliness and robust coding capabilities. You can change and apply the pre-defined use cases to your company’s security policy. Finally, you have full-code automation AlgoBot , for instance, is an intelligent chatbot for handling network security policy management tasks. These are legacy security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) platforms. A high level of coding work is necessary to work with these full-code firewall management tools, which poses a high barrier to entry. But the upside is you get full control over the policy. Adopt zero-touch change management Truth be told, you can’t automate 100% of the security policy. Skilled personnel will still be needed to look over everything. However, for those manual tasks, you need speed while still upholding the security principles. How do you balance both? With zero-touch change management. Zero-touch orchestration is an alternative to semi-automated security processes. Vulnerability management accelerates change requests, reducing the time it takes to implement requests to minutes. Despite the speed advantage, zero-touch orchestration has flaws. For example, it accepts the requests as-is and doesn’t check their validities. This can result in misconfiguration. For security risk mitigation , you can embed conditional logic into the orchestration and leverage security and speed. This form of automation will ensure none of the process steps are missed in the lifecycle. FireFlow provides automated security policy management, helping you confidently automate security policy change process. Establish priorities Deploying automation tools is one part done. The next part is adopting the best practices and organizing your team. One of the best practices of policy automation is to establish priorities. Finding the DevOps issues that are more critical to your security needs is imperative. Then place them higher for the team to address them. This requires you to look at your overall network posture (which you have done in the first step). Once you’ve established clear priorities, you should define the use cases and implement workflow automation. Train team members Last, to ensure continuous compliance, you must upskill your team members to grasp the implemented changes. The transition from manual to automated will be challenging for employees too. Make them understand why it’s being done and what they’re supposed to do. This is done through a combination of courses and practical knowledge. Besides the knowledge, they should also clarify where the machine’s capabilities end and human responsibility begins. Once automated, it will take some time for the team to get familiarized with it. For the best results, automate the workflow in batches and not the entire network at once. Develop the playbook along the way and get everyone on the same page. Once you get a tempo, invest in third-party tools and vendors to speed up the automation What’s next? Network security policy automation makes compliance easier, reduces downtime, and automates manual tasks in cybersecurity. However, automation still means having the right tools and professionals within reach. If you are looking forward to automating network security policy automation and getting the right guidance, we are here. Contact us today to learn more. Schedule a demo Related Articles When change forces your hand: Finding solid ground after Skybox Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read The shocking truth about Network Cloud Security in 2025 Cloud Network Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Introducing AlgoSec Cloud Enterprise: Your Comprehensive App-First Cloud Security Solution Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Speak to one of our experts Speak to one of our experts Work email* First name* Last name* Company* Phone number* country* Select country... By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

Prof. Avishai Wool, AlgoSec co-founder and CTO, breaks down the truths and myths about micro-segmentation and how organizations can... Micro-segmentation Why Microsegmentation is Still a Go-To Network Security Strategy Prof. Avishai Wool 3 min read Prof. Avishai Wool Short bio about author here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Vitae donec tincidunt elementum quam laoreet duis sit enim. Duis mattis velit sit leo diam. Tags Share this article 5/3/22 Published Prof. Avishai Wool, AlgoSec co-founder and CTO, breaks down the truths and myths about micro-segmentation and how organizations can better secure their network before their next cyberattack Network segmentation isn’t a new concept. For years it’s been the go-to recommendation for CISOs and other security leaders as a means of securing expansive networks and breaking large attack surface areas down into more manageable chunks. Just as we separate areas of a ship with secure doors to prevent flooding in the event of a hull breach, network segmentation allows us to seal off areas of our network to prevent breaches such as ransomware attacks, which tend to self-propagate and spread laterally from machine to machine. Network segmentation tends to work best in controlling north-south traffic in an organization. Its main purpose is to segregate and protect key company data and limit lateral movement by attackers across the network. Micro-segmentation takes this one step further and offers more granular control to help contain lateral east-west movement. It is a technique designed to create secure zones in networks, allowing companies to isolate workloads from one another and introduce tight controls over internal access to sensitive data. Put simply, if network segmentation makes up the floors, ceilings and protective outer hull, micro-segmentation makes up the steel doors and corridors that allow or restrict access to individual areas of the ship. Both methods can be used in combination to fortify cybersecurity posture and reduce risk vulnerability across the security network. How does micro-segmentation help defend against ransomware? The number of ransomware attacks on corporate networks seems to reach record levels with each passing year. Ransomware has become so appealing to cybercriminals that it’s given way to a whole Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) sub-industry, plying would-be attackers with the tools to orchestrate their own attacks. When deploying micro-segmentation across your security network, you can contain ransomware at the onset of an attack. When a breach occurs and malware takes over a machine on a given network, the policy embedded in the micro-segmented network should block the malware’s ability to propagate to an adjacent micro-segment, which in turn can protect businesses from a system-wide shutdown and save them a great financial loss. What does Zero Trust have to do with micro-segmentation? Zero trust is a manifestation of the principle of “least privilege” security credentialing. It is a mindset that guides security teams to not assume that people, or machines, are to be trusted by default. From a network perspective, zero-trust implies that “internal” networks should not be assumed to be more trustworthy than “external” networks – quotation marks are intentional. Therefore, micro-segmentation is the way to achieve zero trust at the network level: by deploying restrictive filtering policy inside the internal network to control east-west traffic. Just as individuals in an organization should only be granted access to data on a need-to-know basis, traffic should only be allowed to travel from one area of the business to another only if the supporting applications require access to those areas. Can a business using a public cloud solution still use micro-segmentation? Prior to the advent of micro-segmentation, it was very difficult to segment networks into zones and sub-zones because it required the physical deployment of equipment. Routing had to be changed, firewalls had to be locally installed, and the segmentation process would have to be carefully monitored and managed by a team of individuals. Fortunately for SecOps teams, this is no longer the case, thanks to the rapid adoption of cloud technology. There seems to be a misconception associated with micro-segmentation where it might be thought of as a strictly private cloud environment network security solution, whereas in reality, micro-segmentation can be deployed in a hybrid cloud environment – public cloud, private cloud and on-premise. In fact, all public cloud networks, including those offered by the likes of Azure and AWS, offer “baked in” filtering capabilities that make controlling traffic much easier. This lends itself well to the concept of micro-segmentation, so even those businesses that use a hybrid cloud setup can still benefit enormously. The Bottom Line Micro-segmentation presents a viable and scalable solution to tighten network security policies, despite its inherent implementation challenges. While many businesses may find it hard to manage this new method of security, it’s nevertheless a worthwhile endeavor. By utilizing a micro-segmentation method as part of its network security strategy, an organization can immediately bolster its network security against possible hackers and potential data breaches. To help you navigate through your micro-segmentation fact-finding journey, watch this webcast or read more in our resource hub . Schedule a demo Related Articles When change forces your hand: Finding solid ground after Skybox Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read The shocking truth about Network Cloud Security in 2025 Cloud Network Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Introducing AlgoSec Cloud Enterprise: Your Comprehensive App-First Cloud Security Solution Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Speak to one of our experts Speak to one of our experts Work email* First name* Last name* Company* Phone number* country* Select country... By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

Discover the best RedSeal alternatives for robust network security in 2024. Find solutions that excel in network visibility, risk assessment, and compliance. Top 7 RedSeal Alternatives for Network Security in 2024 RedSeal is a cybersecurity solution that provides security risk management and network visibility for cloud-enabled organizations. It provides security leaders with the data they need to prioritize risks and meet compliance goals with end-to-end visibility. This approach is important for organizations with complex cloud deployments, but Redseal isn’t for everyone . Some vendors offer similar capabilities at lower prices, while others have superior risk management software for specific industry niches. You may be interested in switching from RedSeal to another network visibility solution because you might need additional support for a multi-vendor cloud platform. We’ve put together a comprehensive list of security policy management platforms that can provide insight into your organization’s attack surface and cloud security capabilities. Read on to find out more about how the cybersecurity industry’s most important RedSeal competitors stack up. We’ll cover the features of each technology along with its pros and cons so you can make the best decision for your organization’s budget and security posture. Top 7 RedSeal Alternatives for Network Security in 2024 RedSeal gathers data about endpoints and network devices and analyzes that data in real-time. This gives network administrators the ability to conduct vulnerability assessments and endpoint security audits as needed, enabling security service providers to keep up with emerging threats. Key features: Security analytics and network visualization. RedSeal’s security platform prioritizes analytics and visualization, allowing network administrators to quickly gauge their overall risk profile and track down vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them. Intuitive dashboards and high-level reporting. Security leaders rely on RedSeal’s data visualization capabilities to decide where future security investments should be made. The platform is designed to make risk prioritization easy while allowing key stakeholders to communicate clearly about cyber risk. Pros: Ease of installation use. RedSeal is designed for enterprise users who need to gain visibility into their networks with minimal technical configuration requirements. As a high-level reporting tool, it provides programmatic API integration with a variety of third-party services without drowning users in unnecessary details. Comprehensive network mapping. RedSeal ingests information about your network configuration, including your firewalls, switches, routers, and load balancers. It also connects to your public cloud and private cloud instances using APIs and builds a complete connectivity model of your network. Agent-free low-consumption model. RedSeal’s connectivity model does not rely on agents, SPAN ports, or TAPs. It creates a comprehensive network model without compromising production traffic or using up NetFlow data. Cons: Costs do not scale well. RedSeal charges a subscription fee based on the number of layer 3 and layer 2 devices on the network, plus support and maintenance costs that include perpetual software licensing fees. These fees are calculated as a percentage of the overall subscription cost, which can present problems for growing organizations. Lack of community support. While other solutions have thriving communities built around open source security solutions, RedSeal has almost no community to speak of. The company provides security teams with technical documentation, but top competitors have much more to offer. Lack of advanced features. Beyond mapping and analytics, RedSeal does not actually provide a great deal of value compared to many other options. It should feature more in-depth capabilities for integrating incident response operations, threat intelligence, and malware remediation for cloud environments. Is RedSeal the best option for end-to-end visibility? AlgoSec FireMon Tufin Skybox Security Cisco Defense Orchestrator ManageEngine Qualys Vulnerability Management 7 RedSeal Competitors to Consider: AlgoSec is the top-ranking RedSeal competitor because of its comprehensive set of features for managing network security policies while proactively protecting against cyber threats. The platform provides the same degree of end-to-end network visualization that RedSeal promises, but with additional capabilities. It provides secure application delivery across public and private clouds, containers, and on-premises hardware devices while supporting compliance and visibility. Key features: Comprehensive coverage and compatibility. AlgoSec enables security leaders to automate asset discovery and policy management across the entire hybrid network . That includes public cloud infrastructure like AWS, on-premises hardware, and third-party software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions are all covered. Real-Time network mapping. Security teams can use AlgoSec to unlimited visibility into their network’s connectivity stream . Additionally, they can implement changes, reinforce policies, and update security controls directly from the interface. Simulated configuration modeling. AlgoSec allows security professionals to test network configuration changes and identify potential risks before committing those changes. This removes much of the guesswork and risk that goes into changing network and firewall configurations. Pros: Automated change management reduces the errors that come from manual configuration. Firewall rule optimization automatically protects your organization from new and emerging threats. Regulatory analysis can help you demonstrate compliance with complex frameworks like NIST and PCI-DSS . Cons: The platform could benefit from more in-depth integration support. Some patches and hotfixes arrive late when compared to competitors. 1. AlgoSec FireMon is a network security vendor that specializes in provisioning network security policies and managing them from a central interface. It provides hybrid organizations with a comprehensive set of tools for reviewing policies in real-time and making changes to those policies in response to new analysis. Like RedSeal, it provides end-to-end visibility into cloud-enabled networks and gives IT teams visibility into their security risk profile. Key features: Distributed alarm and response capabilities. FireMon provides visibility into application connectivity and supports complex alarming configurations in multi-vendor environments. Out-of-the-box reporting tools. Security leaders who implement FireMon in order to gain fast access to in-depth reports are able to get these features working with minimal setup and configuration time. Customization tools included. Organizations that need customized reporting or policy management solutions can rely on FireMon to deliver. Pros: FireMon’s policy error analysis is accurate, providing in-depth data about which policies get triggered the most frequently and which ones do not. The unified visibility and management tool provides a great starting place for standardizing security policy management, especially across complex multi-vendor environments. Cons: FireMon’s licensing model can be inconsistent. Some customers report having their license terms changed over time. The platform’s automation capabilities are not quite as advanced as some other entrants on this list. Network mapping isn’t always accurate in certain network topologies, such as those that use asymmetric routing. 2. FireMon Tufin’s Orchestration Suite is a comprehensive network security management platform designed around automation and compliance. It supports multi-vendor networks, and runs on a variety of operating systems and devices. It enables security practitioners to audit firewall rules against a universal standard, providing in-depth insight into the organization’s overall exposure to risk . Key features: High quality automation capabilities. Tufin allows security teams to cleanly automate low-impact tasks like policy duplication. It makes addressing unused objects, address groups, and service objects easy. Advanced scheduling. You can use Tufin to schedule policy modifications to take place overnight. Depending on your security needs, you can distribute resources where they are needed when they are needed most. Multiple tools. Tufin provides organizations with a variety of policy management tools. It can manage firewall policies, VPN policies, and perform compliance verifications via API. Pros: Using Tufin to manage security policies is easy. Most security professionals will be able to quickly learn how the software works and begin using it right away. Tufin allows security teams to manage firewall policies and integrate change processes into their workflows. Security teams with multiple firewalls from different vendors can easily control and manage their firewall fleet through Tufin’s centralized interface. Cons: The product is not particularly fast or user-friendly. It features a user interface that looks dated compared to many other entrants on this list. Tufin does not support advanced customization or reports. These limitations are even more pronounced for organizations with complex network management needs . The cost of implementing Tufin can be high for growing organizations. It seems priced for the large enterprise market. 3. Tufin Skybox Security Suite is a suite of cybersecurity management solutions that helps organizations reduce data breach risks and improve their security ratings. It provides continuous exposure management, which means it continuously monitors and analyzes organizations’ networks for vulnerabilities and threats. Key features: Skybox Security Suite includes two main policy management tools: Network Security Policy Management : This tool helps organizations develop and enforce consistent security policies for their networks. Vulnerability and Threat Management : This tool helps organizations identify and prioritize vulnerabilities in their networks and mitigate the associated risks. Pros: Automated firewall management helps organizations automate the provisioning, configuration, and management of their firewalls. Network visibility and vulnerability control enables security teams to prioritize the vulnerabilities Skybox detects in their networks. Threat Intelligence: Skybox includes its own threat intelligence service, which provides organizations with information about new vulnerabilities and active exploits. Cons: Skybox can present a steep learning curve to new users, even if they’re experienced network security professionals. Skybox relies on an accurate inventory of devices and networks. If the inventory is not up-to-date, it may not provide accurate results. 4. Skybox Security Cisco Defense Orchestrator is a cloud-based security policy management service that helps organizations unify their policies across multi-cloud networks. It provides comprehensive asset discovery and visibility for cloud infrastructure, and network administrators can use it to manage security configurations and assess their risk profile. However, it only supports Cisco products and hardware. Key features: Single reference point for policy management: Cisco Defense Orchestrator provides a pane of glass for managing and configuring Cisco security devices across the network. Cloud-delivered software: Cisco Defense Orchestrator deploys rapidly and quickly. The process is defined by scalability made possible through the product’s cloud-delivered SaaS format. Built-in compliance management: The solution lets security teams deploy policies to Cisco security devices and demonstrate that those policies are compliant with industry-wide frameworks like NIST, PCI-DSS, and others. Pros: Administrators can easily manage the organization’s fleet of security devices and other network assets from a single location. Cisco’s cloud-delivered approach is cost-efficient and scalable, while remaining powerful enough to enhance security for large enterprises as well as growing organizations. Visibility is built into the software package, granting security teams the ability to map out network assets and identify vulnerabilities proactively. Cons: The cost of implementing Cisco Defense Orchestrator may be too high for some organizations. Cisco Defense Orchestrator only supports Cisco products. If your organization has to rip and replace its existing fleet of firewalls, switches, and routers, the cost of deploying this solution will rise dramatically. 5. Cisco Defense Orchestrator ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer enhances network security by providing real-time insights into firewall traffic and rule configurations. It also enables administrators to generate comprehensive reports and alerts on security events and potential risks. It supports a wide range of hardware vendors and can provide vulnerability management solutions to security teams that need better visibility into their security posture. Key features: Agentless deployment . Real-time monitoring is available without requiring endpoints and other assets to run client-side agents that can draw resources away from mission-critical business tasks. Out-of-the-box compliance management. Security teams can automate compliance management using ManageEngine without requiring additional configuration or painstaking customization. Network traffic monitoring. ManageEngine enables security teams to conduct behavioral analysis on network traffic, monitoring for unusual activity and getting detailed insights about how users are interacting with company assets. Pros: The software allows administrators to monitor and respond to security threats quickly, and grants real-time information about how firewall rules are being used. ManageEngine helps administrators keep track of security incidents and vulnerabilities and provides compliance reporting ideal for popular regulatory standards like NIST and PCI-DSS. The user interface is easy to use and understand, making it suitable for IT professionals with different levels of skill and experience. Cons: The software may be too costly for some organizations, especially growing organizations with a single shared budget for IT and security expenses. ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer may not work with all firewall vendors, so organizations should verify compatibility before deploying the software. Installing ManageEngine requires a high level of technical knowledge and specialist talent, which increases the cost. 6. ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer Qualys provides network administrators with a comprehensive suite of tools for defining and managing cyber risk. Its software package includes solutions that grant end-to-end visibility into networks and map network assets out so that security teams can prioritize them effectively. It also supports automation and network security policy management, all through a single interface. Key features: Quantifiable cyber risk statistics . The product uses a proprietary system for tracking and quantifying cyber risk, giving security leaders an easy way to communicate the organization’s risk profile to executives and stakeholders. Automated no-code workflows . IT teams can use Qualys Vulnerability Management to orchestrate security updates and patching without writing complex scripts for the purpose. Comprehensive network discovery and mapping . Qualys detects all IT assets on the network, and also extends its discovery to operating technology and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. It enriches asset inventories with vendor lifecycle data and additional information. Pros: Risk-based prioritization puts critical vulnerabilities first. Security leaders can allocate resources to the most important tasks and manage less-critical vulnerabilities later. The product supports integration with existing IT management tools, making it easy for network administrators to use effectively. It also connects with security platforms like SIEM, support ticketing tools, and other third-party software. Cons: Qualys is not compatible with some modern enterprise data architectures. It has trouble reading containerized files and may not work correctly in organizations with a microservices architecture. Customer support often experiences delays, making it hard for customers to get immediate help solving time-sensitive security issues. The product’s built-in reporting capabilities are outdated compared to many other entrants on this list. Producing custom visualizations and combining data from multiple sources can be more difficult than it needs to be. 7. Qualys Vulnerability Management Select a size Top 7 RedSeal Alternatives for Network Security in 2024 Is RedSeal the best option for end-to-end visibility? 7 RedSeal Competitors to Consider: 1. AlgoSec 2. FireMon 3. Tufin 4. Skybox Security 5. Cisco Defense Orchestrator 6. ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer 7. Qualys Vulnerability Management Get the latest insights from the experts Use these six best practices to simplify compliance and risk White paper Learn how AlgoSec can help you pass PCI-DSS Audits and ensure Solution overview See how this customer improved compliance readiness and risk management with AlgoSec Case study Choose a better way to manage your network

Featured Snippet A cloud security audit is a review of an organization’s cloud security environment. During an audit, the security... Cloud Security What is a Cloud Security Audit? (and How to Conduct One) Rony Moshkovich 10 min read Rony Moshkovich Short bio about author here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Vitae donec tincidunt elementum quam laoreet duis sit enim. Duis mattis velit sit leo diam. Tags Share this article 6/23/23 Published Featured Snippet A cloud security audit is a review of an organization’s cloud security environment. During an audit, the security auditor will gather information, perform tests, and confirm whether the security posture meets industry standards. PAA: What is the objective of a cloud security audit? The main objective of a cloud security audit is to evaluate the health of your cloud environment, including any data and applications hosted on the cloud. PAA: What are three key areas of auditing in the cloud? From the list of “6 Fundamental Steps of a Cloud Security Audit.” Inspect the security posture Determine the attack surface Implement strict access controls PAA: What are the two types of security audits? Security audits come in two forms: internal and external. In internal audits, a business uses its resources and employees to conduct the investigation. In external audits, a third-party organization is hired to conduct the audit. PAA: How do I become a cloud security auditor? To become a cloud security auditor, you need a certification like the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) or Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP). Prior experience in IT auditing, cloud security management, and cloud risk assessment is highly beneficial. Cloud environments are used to store over 60 percent of all corporate data as of 2022. With so much data in the cloud, organizations rely on cloud security audits to ensure that cloud services can safely provide on-demand access. In this article, we explain what a cloud security audit is, its main objectives, and its benefits. We’ve also listed the six crucial steps of a cloud audit and a checklist of example actions taken during an audit. What Is a Cloud Security Audit? A cloud security audit is a review of an organization’s cloud security environment . During an audit, the security auditor will gather information, perform tests, and confirm whether the security posture meets industry standards. Cloud service providers (CSPs) offer three main types of services: Software as a Service (SaaS) Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Platform as a Service (PaaS) Businesses use these solutions to store data and drive daily operations. A cloud security audit evaluates a CSP’s security and data protection measures. It can help identify and address any risks. The audit assesses how secure, dependable, and reliable a cloud environment is. Cloud audits are an essential data protection measure for companies that store and process data in the cloud. An audit assesses the security controls used by CSPs within the company’s cloud environment. It evaluates the effectiveness of the CSP’s security policies and technical safeguards. Auditors identify vulnerabilities, gaps, or noncompliance with regulations. Addressing these issues can prevent data breaches and exploitation via cybersecurity attacks. Meeting mandatory compliance standards will also prevent potentially expensive fines and being blacklisted. Once the technical investigation is complete, the auditor generates a report. This report states their findings and can have recommendations to optimize security. An audit can also help save money by finding unused or redundant resources in the cloud system. Main Objectives of a Cloud Security Audit The main objective of a cloud security audit is to evaluate the health of your cloud environment, including any data and applications hosted on the cloud. Other important objectives include: Decide the information architecture: Audits help define the network, security, and systems requirements to secure information. This includes data at rest and in transit. Align IT resources: A cloud audit can align the use of IT resources with business strategies. Identify risks: Businesses can identify risks that could harm their cloud environment. This could be security vulnerabilities, data access errors, and noncompliance with regulations. Optimize IT processes: An audit can help create documented, standardized, and repeatable processes, leading to a secure and reliable IT environment. This includes processes for system ownership, information security, network access, and risk management. Assess vendor security controls: Auditors can inspect the CSP’s security control frameworks and reliability. What Are the Two Types of Cloud Security Audits? Security audits come in two forms: internal and external. In internal audits, a business uses its resources and employees to conduct the investigation. In external audits, a third-party organization is hired to conduct the audit. The internal audit team reviews the organization’s cloud infrastructure and data. They aim to identify any vulnerabilities or compliance issues. A third-party auditor will do the same during an external audit. Both types of audits provide an objective assessment of the security posture . But internal audits are rare since there is a higher chance of prejudice during analysis. Who Provides Cloud Security Audits? Cloud security assessments are provided by: Third-party auditors: Independent third-party audit firms that specialize in auditing cloud ecosystems. These auditors are often certified and experienced in CSP security policies. They also use automated and manual security testing methods for a comprehensive evaluation. Some auditing firms extend remediation support after the audit. Cloud service providers: Some cloud platforms offer auditing services and tools. These tools vary in the depth of their assessments and the features they provide to fix problems. Internal audit teams: Many organizations use internal audit teams. These teams assess the controls and processes using CSPM tools . They provide recommendations for improving security and mitigating risks. Why Cloud Security Audits Are So Important Here are eight ways in which security audits of cloud services are performed: Identify security risks: An audit can identify potential security risks. This includes weaknesses in the cloud infrastructure, apps, APIs, or data. Recognizing and fixing these risks is critical for data protection. Ensure compliance: Audits help the cloud environment comply with regulations like HIPAA, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001. Compliance with these standards is vital for avoiding legal and financial penalties. Optimize cloud processes: An audit can help create efficient processes using fewer resources. There is also a decreased risk of breakdowns or malfunctions. Manage access control: Employees constantly change positions within the company or leave. With an audit, businesses can ensure that everyone has the right level of access. For example, access is completely removed for former employees. Auditing access control verifies if employees can safely log in to cloud systems. This is done via two-step authentication, multi-factor authentication, and VPNs. Assess third-party tools: Multi-vendor cloud systems include many third-party tools and API integrations. An audit of these tools and APIs can check if they are safe. It can also ensure that they do not compromise overall security. Avoid data loss: Audits help companies identify areas of potential data loss. This could be during transfer or backup or throughout different work processes. Patching these areas is vital for data safety. Check backup safety: Cloud vendors offer services to back up company data regularly. An audit of backup mechanisms can ensure they are performed at the right frequency and without any flaws. Proactive risk management: Organizations can address potential risks before they become major incidents. Taking proactive action can prevent data breaches, system failures, and other incidents that disrupt daily operations. Save money: Audits can help remove obsolete or underused resources in the cloud. Doing this saves money while improving performance. Improve cloud security posture: Like an IT audit, a cloud audit can help improve overall data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. How Is a Cloud Security Audit Conducted? The exact audit process varies depending on the specific goals and scope. Typically, an independent third party performs the audit. It inspects a cloud vendor’s security posture. It assesses how the CSP implements security best practices and whether it adheres to industry standards. It also evaluates performance against specific benchmarks set before the audit. Here is a general overview of the audit process: Define the scope: The first step is to define the scope of the audit. This includes listing the CSPs, security controls, processes, and regulations to be assessed. Plan the audit: The next step is to plan the audit. This involves establishing the audit team, a timeline, and an audit plan. This plan outlines the specific tasks to be performed and the evaluation criteria. Collect information: The auditor can collect information using various techniques. This includes analytics and security tools, physical inspections, questioning, and observation. Review and analyze: The auditor reviews all the information to evaluate the security posture. Create an audit report: An audit report summarizes findings and lists any issues. It is presented to company management at an audit briefing. The report also provides actions for improvement. Take action: Companies form a team to address issues in the audit report. This team performs remediation actions. The audit process could take 12 weeks to complete. However, it could take longer for businesses to complete the recommended remediation tasks. The schedule may be extended if a gap analysis is required. Businesses can speed up the audit process using automated security tools . This software quickly provides a unified view of all security risks across multiple cloud vendors. Some CSPs, like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, also offer auditing tools. These tools are exclusive to each specific platform. The price of a cloud audit varies based on its scope, the size of the organization, and the number of cloud platforms. For example, auditing one vendor could take four or five weeks. But a complex web with multiple vendors could take more than 12 weeks. 6 Fundamental Steps of a Cloud Security Audit Six crucial steps must be performed in a cloud audit: 1. Evaluate security posture Evaluate the security posture of the cloud system . This includes security controls, policies, procedures, documentation, and incident response plans. The auditor can interview IT staff, cloud vendor staff, and other stakeholders to collect evidence about information systems. Screenshots and paperwork are also used as proof. After this process, the auditor analyzes the evidence. They check if existing procedures meet industry guidelines, like the ones provided by Cloud Security Alliance (CSA). 2. Define the attack surface An attack surface includes all possible points, or attack vectors, through which unauthorized users can access and exploit a system. Since cloud solutions are so complex, this can be challenging. Organizations must use cloud monitoring and observability technologies to determine the attack surface. They must also prioritize high-risk assets and focus their remediation efforts on them. Auditors must identify all the applications and assets running within cloud instances and containers. They must check if the organization approves these or if they represent shadow IT. To protect data, all workloads within the cloud system must be standardized and have up-to-date security measures. 3. Implement robust access controls Access management breaches are a widespread security risk. Unauthorized personnel can get credentials to access sensitive cloud data using various methods. To minimize security issues related to unauthorized access, organizations must: Create comprehensive password guidelines and policies Mandate multi-factor authentication (MFA) Use the Principle of Least Privilege Access (PoLP) Restrict administrative rights 4. Strict data sharing standards Organizations must install strong standards for external data access and sharing. These standards dictate how data is viewed and accessed in shared drives, calendars, and folders. Start with restrictive standards and then loosen up restrictions when necessary. External access should not be provided to files and folders containing sensitive data. This includes personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI). 5. Use SIEM Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems can collect cloud logs in a standardized format. This allows editors to access logs and automatically generates reports necessary for different compliance standards. This helps organizations maintain compliance with industry security standards. 6. Automate patch management Regular security patches are crucial. However, many organizations and IT teams struggle with patch management. To create an efficient patch management process, organizations must: Focus on the most crucial patches first Regularly patch valuable assets using automation Add manual reviews to the automated patching process to ensure long-term security How Often Should Cloud Security Audits Be Conducted? As a general rule of thumb, audits are conducted annually or biannually. But an audit should also be performed when: Mandated by regulatory standards. For example, Level 1 businesses must pass at least one audit per year to remain PCI DSS compliant. There is a higher risk level. Organizations storing sensitive data may need more frequent audits. There are significant changes to the cloud environment. Ultimately, the frequency of audits depends on the organization’s specific needs. The Major Cloud Security Audit Challenges Here are some of the major challenges that organizations may face: Lack of visibility Cloud infrastructures can be complex with many services and applications across different providers. Each cloud vendor has their own security policies and practices. They also provide limited access to operational and forensic data required for auditing. This lack of transparency prevents auditors from accessing pertinent data. To gather all relevant data, IT operations staff must coordinate with CSPs. Auditors must also carefully choose test cases to avoid violating the CSP’s security policies. Encryption Data in the cloud is encrypted using two methods — internal or provider encryption. Internal or on-premise encryption is when organizations encrypt data before it is transferred to the cloud. Provider encryption is when the CSP handles encryption. With on-premise encryption, the primary threat comes from malicious internal actors. In the latter method, any security breach of the cloud provider’s network can harm your data. From an auditing standpoint, it is best to encrypt data and manage encryption keys internally. If the CSP handles the encryption keys, auditing becomes nearly impossible. Colocation Many cloud providers use the same physical systems for multiple user organizations. This increases the security risk. It also makes it challenging for auditors to inspect physical locations. Organizations should use cloud vendors that use mechanisms to prevent unauthorized data access. For example, a cloud vendor must prevent users from claiming administrative rights to the entire system. Lack of standardization Cloud environments have ever-increasing entities for auditors to inspect. This includes managed databases, physical hosts, virtual machines (VMs), and containers. Auditing all these entities can be difficult, especially when there are constant changes to the entities. Standardized procedures and workloads help auditors identify all critical entities within cloud systems. Cloud Security Audit Checklist Here is a cloud security audit checklist with example actions taken for each general control area: The above list is not all-inclusive. Each cloud environment and process involved in auditing it is different. Industry Standards To Guide Cloud Security Audits Industry groups have created security standards to help companies maintain their security posture. Here are the five most recognized standards for cloud compliance and auditing: CSA Security, Trust, & Assurance Registry (STAR): This is a security assurance program run by the CSA. The STAR program is built on three fundamental techniques: CSA’s Cloud Control Matrix (CCM) Consensus Assessments Initiative Questionnaire (CAIQ) CSA’s Code of Conduct for GDPR Compliance CSA also has a registry of CSPs who have completed a self-assessment of their security controls. The program includes guidelines that can be used for cloud audits. ISO/IEC 27017:2015: The ISO/IEC 27017:2015 are guidelines for information security controls in cloud computing environments. ISO/IEC 27018:2019: The ISO/IEC 27018:2019 provides guidelines for protecting PII in public cloud computing environments. MTCS SS 584: Multi-Tier Cloud Security (MTCS) SS 584 is a cloud security standard developed by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) of Singapore. The standard has guidelines for CSPs on information security controls.Cloud customers and auditors can use it to evaluate the security posture of CSPs. CIS Foundations Benchmarks: The Center for Internet Security (CIS) Foundations Benchmarks are guidelines for securing IT systems and data. They help organizations of all sizes improve their security posture. Final Thoughts on Cloud Security Audits Cloud security audits are crucial for ensuring your cloud systems are secure and compliant. This is essential for data protection and preventing cybersecurity attacks. Auditors must use modern monitoring and CSPM tools like Prevasio to easily identify vulnerabilities in multi-vendor cloud environments. This software leads to faster audits and provides a unified view of all threats, making it easier to take relevant action. FAQs About Cloud Security Audits How do I become a cloud security auditor? To become a cloud security auditor, you need certification like the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) or Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP). Prior experience in IT auditing, cloud security management, and cloud risk assessment is highly beneficial. Other certifications like the Certificate of Cloud Auditing Knowledge (CCAK) by ISACA and CSA could also help. In addition, knowledge of security guidelines and compliance frameworks, including PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, and NIST, is also required. 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Explore Algosec's customer success stories to see how organizations worldwide improve security, compliance, and efficiency with our solutions. SecureLink Enables Business Agility with Hybrid Cloud Management Organization SecureLink Industry Security Service Provider Headquarters Malmo, Sweden Download case study Share Customer
success stories "To be able to apply the same policy on all your infrastructure is priceless" SecureLink is Europe’s premier, award-winning, cybersecurity company. Active since 2003, they operate from 15 offices in 8 countries, to build a safe, connected world. More than 2,000 experts and thought leaders are dedicated to delivering unrivalled information security value for over 1,300 customers. They are part of the Orange Group, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators, and listed on Euronext Paris and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The Challenge SecureLink has been an on-site consultant for several years for a large global entertainment company. SecureLink’s client has over 100 firewalls running both on-premises and on AmazonWeb Services (AWS) from several different vendors. Some of the challenges included: “Shadow IT” had taken over, causing security risks and friction with IT, who had to support it. Security policies were being managed in tedious and unmaintainable Excel spreadsheets Lack of verification if official firewall policies accurately reflected traffic flows The business units were pushing a migration to a hybrid cloud environment rather than relying exclusively on an on-premises deployment. Business units were unilaterally moving business applications to the cloud, leading to “shadow IT.” Business application owners were unable to comply with security policies, troubleshoot their “shadow network,” nor connect cloud-based servers to local servers. When there were problems, the business units went back to the IT department, who had to fix a mess they didn’t create. The Solution SecureLink was searching for a solution that provided: Automation of security policy change management and documentation of security policy changes Comprehensive firewall support for their multi-vendor, hybrid estate Ability to determine compliance and risk profiles Full visibility and control for IT, while enabling business agility In order to keep the business happy and agile, but ensure that IT had full visibility and control, they implemented AlgoSec. The client selected AlgoSec’s Security Policy Management Solution, which includes AlgoSec Firewall Analyzer and AlgoSec FireFlow. AlgoSec Firewall Analyzer delivers visibility and analysis of complex network security policies across on-premise, cloud, and hybrid networks. It automates and simplifies security operations including troubleshooting, auditing, and risk analysis. Using Firewall Analyzer, SecureLink can optimize the configuration of firewalls, and network infrastructure to ensure security and compliance. AlgoSec FireFlow enables security staff to automate the entire security policy change process from design and submission to proactive risk analysis, implementation, validation, and auditing. Its intelligent, automated workflows save time and improve security by eliminating manual errors and reducing risk. The Results AlgoSec helped SecureLink gain control of shadow IT without slowing down the business. By using AlgoSec to gain full visibility of the entire network, IT was able to regain control over company’s security policy while supporting the move to the cloud. “AlgoSec lets us take ownership and be quick for the business,” said Björn Löfman, a consultant at SecureLink. “The way AlgoSec provides the whole map of the internal and cloud networks is outstanding, and to be able to apply the same policy on all your infrastructure is priceless.” By using the AlgoSec Security Management Solution, SecureLink was able to clean up risky firewall policies, gain increased understanding of their security policies, tighten compliance, and enhance migrations of hardware and implement a hybrid cloud environment with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Some benefits to the client of AlgoSec include: Greater understanding of network security policies Easier firewall migration – they migrated from Juniper NetScreen to Check Point firewalls Ability to optimize rules and reduce unneeded and duplicate rules and objects. They were able to go from 4,000 rules to 1,110 rules – a 72% reduction. Move to the hybrid cloud with the adoption of Amazon Web Services Able to reduce shadow IT and reclaim ownership of the cloud Full visibility of entire hybrid network – including both on-premise and devices in the cloud including firewalls, AWS security groups , and Access Control Lists (ACLs). Schedule time with one of our experts

The transition to cloud-based environments has ushered in unparalleled efficiency, scalability, and innovation. However, it has also... Hybrid Cloud Security Management Unveiling best practices for a resilient cloud security strategy Malcom Sargla 3 min read Malcom Sargla Short bio about author here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Vitae donec tincidunt elementum quam laoreet duis sit enim. Duis mattis velit sit leo diam. Tags Share this article 8/30/23 Published The transition to cloud-based environments has ushered in unparalleled efficiency, scalability, and innovation. However, it has also magnified the importance of fortifying our digital fortresses against an array of potential risks. Considering the increasing reliance on cloud computing, it’s important to find the best practices and strategies that organizations can adopt to enhance their cloud security posture and mitigate the risks associated with cloud-based environments. Navigating the Cloud Security Landscape As organizations race to seize the transformative potential of the cloud, they are faced with a series of profound decisions. Each step forward, though laden with promise, demands a profound understanding of the evolving cloud security landscape. Choosing your guardian: Cloud providers’ security Selecting a cloud provider marks a pivotal choice. The giants of the cloud – AWS, GCP, Azure, Oracle, and IBM – have honed their commitment to delivering secure platforms. These titans weave intricate layers of cutting-edge security technologies and artificial intelligence into their infrastructures, assuring an ironclad foundation for their clients. Here, diversity shines as a beacon of strength. Many organizations, mindful of fault domains and corporate governance, choose a multi-cloud approach. This approach is further empowered by solutions like AlgoSec, streamlining security management across diverse cloud estates. The hybrid conundrum: Security beyond the divide The debate over a cloud-only versus hybrid deployment churns with vigor. It’s not merely a technical decision; it’s an embodiment of an organization’s security philosophy. Retaining an on-premises presence offers a sense of comfort, an insurance policy for vital intellectual property. To navigate the hybrid landscape successfully, a unified security approach is imperative. A single-pane view that seamlessly spans visibility, risk assessment, compliance, and intelligent policy automation is the rudder that guides this ship. Blueprint for secure migration In the digital world, where data and applications surge like currents, migrating to the cloud demands meticulous planning and a steadfast commitment to security. Application Dependency: The heartbeat of cloud migration As applications metamorphose, they weave intricate relationships with their ecosystem. Moving them recklessly can disrupt the very heartbeat of your organization. Consider AlgoSec’s partnerships with Cisco Secure Workload, Illumio, and Guardicore. Through this synergy, applications are mapped, relationships dissected, and policies laid bare. These insights power intelligent remediation, ensuring that policies serve the application, not risk its integrity. The goldilocks move: Finding the right application components When migrating applications, precision is paramount. Moving the right components in tandem is akin to choreographing a symphony. Avoiding ‘hair-pinning’ between cloud and on-premises domains is key to preserving user experience and mitigating egress traffic costs. The mantra: migrate high-dependent application tiers in harmonious unison. Purifying the legacy: Pruning unneeded policies Before the embacing the cloud, make sure to clean your digital canvas. Rid it of unneeded policies, unburden the legacy baggage, and craft a secure foundation. AlgoSec advocates a risk-mitigation approach. Tune, optimize, and refine policies. This digital spring-cleaning ensures that your cloud journey is unmarred by relics of the past. The promise of a secure sky As the digital horizon stretches ever farther, cloud security ascends as both a challenge and an opportunity. With each step we take towards a cloud-powered future, we must arm ourselves with knowledge, tools, and practices that will safeguard our data, applications, and innovations. So, the question of how to mitigate risk becomes not just a query, but a clarion call. A call to weave security into the very fabric of our cloud endeavors. A call to adopt the best practices, to forge ahead with a robust strategy, and to ensure that the cloud’s promise of a brighter future is matched only by its commitment to security. Schedule a demo Related Articles When change forces your hand: Finding solid ground after Skybox Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read The shocking truth about Network Cloud Security in 2025 Cloud Network Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Introducing AlgoSec Cloud Enterprise: Your Comprehensive App-First Cloud Security Solution Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Speak to one of our experts Speak to one of our experts Work email* First name* Last name* Company* Phone number* country* Select country... By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

Webinars Tightening security posture with micro-segmentation Micro-segmentation protects your network by limiting the lateral movement of ransomware and other threats in your network. Yet successfully implementing a defense-in-depth strategy using micro-segmentation may be complicated. In this second webinar in a series of two webinars about ransomware, Yitzy Tannenbaum, Product Marketing Manager from AlgoSec and Jan Heijdra, Cisco Security Specialist, will provide a blueprint to implementing micro-segmentation using Cisco Secure Workload (formerly Cisco Tetration) and AlgoSec Network Security Policy Management. Join our live webinar to learn: Why micro-segmentation is critical to fighting ransomware Understand your business applications to create your micro-segmentation policy Validate your micro-segmentation policy is accurate Enforce these granular policies on workloads and summarized policies across your infrastructure Use risk and vulnerability analysis to tighten your workload and network security Identify and manage security risk and compliance in your micro-segmented environment January 27, 2021 Jan Heijdra Cisco Security Specialist Yitzy Tannenbaum Product Marketing Manager Relevant resources Micro-segmentation – from strategy to execution Keep Reading Defining & Enforcing a Micro-segmentation Strategy Read Document Building a Blueprint for a Successful Micro-segmentation Implementation Keep Reading Choose a better way to manage your network Choose a better way to manage your network Work email* First name* Last name* Company* country* Select country... Phone number* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Continue