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Kyle Wickert explains how organizations can balance the need to modernize their networks without compromising security For businesses of... Digital Transformation Modernizing your infrastructure without neglecting security Kyle Wickert 2 min read Kyle Wickert 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 8/19/21 Published Kyle Wickert explains how organizations can balance the need to modernize their networks without compromising security For businesses of all shapes and sizes, the inherent value in moving enterprise applications into the cloud is beyond question. The ability to control computing capability at a more granular level can lead to significant cost savings, not to mention the speed at which new applications can be provisioned. Having a modern cloud-based infrastructure makes businesses more agile, allowing them to capitalize on market forces and other new opportunities much quicker than if they depended on on-premises, monolithic architecture alone. However, there is a very real risk that during the goldrush to modernized infrastructures, particularly during the pandemic when the pressure to migrate was accelerated rapidly, businesses might be overlooking the potential blind spot that threatens all businesses indiscriminately, and that is security. One of the biggest challenges for business leaders over the past decade has been managing the delicate balance between infrastructure upgrades and security. Our recent survey found that half of organizations who took part now run over 41% of workloads in the public cloud, and 11% reported a cloud security incident in the last twelve months. If businesses are to succeed and thrive in 2021 and beyond, they must learn how to walk this tightrope effectively. Let’s consider the highs and lows of modernizing legacy infrastructures, and the ways to make it a more productive experience. What are the risks in moving to the cloud? With cloud migration comes risk. Businesses that move into the cloud actually stand to lose a great deal if the process isn’t managed effectively. Moreover, they have some important decisions to make in terms of how they handle application migration. Do they simply move their applications and data into the cloud as they are as a ‘lift and shift’, or do they seek to take a more cloud-native approach and rebuild applications in the cloud to take full advantage of its myriad benefits? Once a business has started this move toward the cloud, it’s very difficult to rewind the process and unpick mistakes that may have been made, so planning really is critical. Then there’s the issue of attack surface area. Legacy on-premises applications might not be the leanest or most efficient, but they are relatively secure by default due to their limited exposure to external environments. Moving said applications onto the cloud has countless benefits to agility, efficiency, and cost, but it also increases the attack surface area for potential hackers. In other words, it gives bots and bad actors a larger target to hit. One of the many traps that businesses fall into is thinking that just because an application is in the cloud, it must be automatically secure. In fact, the reverse is true unless proper due diligence is paid to security during the migration process. The benefits of an app-centric approach One of the ways in which AlgoSec helps its customer master security in the cloud is by approaching it from an app-centric perspective. By understanding how a business uses its applications, including its connectivity paths through the cloud, data centers and SDN fabrics, we can build an application model that generates actionable insights such as the ability to create policy-based risks instead of leaning squarely on firewall controls. This is of particular importance when moving legacy applications onto the cloud. The inherent challenge here is that a business is typically taking a vulnerable application and making it even more vulnerable by moving it off-premise, relying solely on the cloud infrastructure to secure it. To address this, businesses should rank applications in order of sensitivity and vulnerability. In doing so, they may find some quick wins in terms of moving modern applications into the cloud that have less sensitive data. Once these short-term gains are dealt with, NetSecOps can focus on the legacy applications that contain more sensitive data which may require more diligence, time, and focus to move or rebuild securely. Migrating applications to the cloud is no easy feat and it can be a complex process even for the most technically minded NetSecOps. Automation takes a large proportion of the hard work away and enables teams to manage cloud environments efficiently while orchestrating changes across an array of security controls. It brings speed and accuracy to managing security changes and accelerates audit preparation for continuous compliance. Automation also helps organizations overcome skills gaps and staffing limitations. We are likely to see conflict between modernization and security for some time. On one hand, we want to remove the constraints of on-premises infrastructure as quickly as possible to leverage the endless possibilities of cloud. On the other hand, we have to safeguard against the opportunistic hackers waiting on the fray for the perfect time to strike. By following the guidelines set out in front of them, businesses can modernize without compromise. To learn more about migrating enterprise apps into the cloud without compromising on security, and how a DevSecOps approach could help your business modernize safely, watch our recent Bright TALK webinar here . Alternatively, get in touch or book a free demo . Schedule a demo Related Articles Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Convergence didn’t fail, compliance did. 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* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

What is Firewall Traffic Analysis? Firewall traffic analysis (FTA) is a network security operation that grants visibility into the data... Firewall Policy Management Firewall Traffic Analysis: The Complete Guide Asher Benbenisty 2 min read Asher Benbenisty 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 10/24/23 Published What is Firewall Traffic Analysis? Firewall traffic analysis (FTA) is a network security operation that grants visibility into the data packets that travel through your network’s firewalls. Cybersecurity professionals conduct firewall traffic analysis as part of wider network traffic analysis (NTA) workflows. The traffic monitoring data they gain provides deep visibility into how attacks can penetrate your network and what kind of damage threat actors can do once they succeed. NTA vs. FTA Explained NTA tools provide visibility into things like internal traffic inside the data center, inbound VPN traffic from external users, and bandwidth metrics from Internet of Things (iOT) endpoints. They inspect on-premises devices like routers and switches, usually through a unified, vendor-agnostic interface. Network traffic analyzers do inspect firewalls, but might stop short of firewall-specific network monitoring and management. FTA tools focus more exclusively on traffic patterns through the organization’s firewalls. They provide detailed information on how firewall rules interact with traffic from different sources. This kind of tool might tell you how a specific Cisco firewall conducts deep packet inspection on a certain IP address, and provide broader metrics on how your firewalls operate overall. It may also provide change management tools designed to help you optimize firewall rules and security policies . Firewall Rules Overview Your firewalls can only protect against security threats effectively when they are equipped with an optimized set of rules. These rules determine which users are allowed to access network assets and what kind of network activity is allowed. They play a major role in enforcing network segmentation and enabling efficient network management. Analyzing device policies for an enterprise network is a complex and time-consuming task. Minor mistakes can lead to critical risks remaining undetected and expose network devices to cyberattacks. For this reason, many security leaders use automated risk management solutions that include firewall traffic analysis. These tools perform a comprehensive analysis of firewall rules and communicate the risks of specific rules across every device on the network. This information is important because it will inform the choices you make during real-time traffic analysis. Having a comprehensive view of your security risk profile allows you to make meaningful changes to your security posture as you analyze firewall traffic. Performing Real-Time Traffic Analysis AlgoSec Firewall Analyzer captures information on the following traffic types: External IP addresses Internal IP addresses (public and private, including NAT addresses) Protocols (like TCP/IP, SMTP, HTTP, and others) Port numbers and applications for sources and destinations Incoming and outgoing traffic Potential intrusions The platform also supports real-time network traffic analysis and monitoring. When activated, it will periodically inspect network devices for changes to their policy rules, object definitions, audit logs, and more. You can view the changes detected for individual devices and groups, and filter the results to find specific network activities according to different parameters. For any detected change, Firewall Analyzer immediately aggregates the following data points: Device – The device where the changes happened. Date/Time – The exact time when the change was made. Changed by – Tells you which administrator performed the change. Summary – Lists the network assets impacted by the change. Many devices supported by Firewall Analyzer are actually systems of devices that work together. You can visualize the relationships between these assets using the device tree format. This presents every device as a node in the tree, giving you an easy way to manage and view data for individual nodes, parents nodes, and global categories. For example, Firewall Analyzer might discover a redundant rule copied across every firewall in your network. If its analysis shows that the rule triggers frequently, it might recommend moving to a higher node on the device tree. If it turns out the rule never triggers, it may recommend adjusting the rule or deleting it completely. If the rule doesn’t trigger because it conflicts with another firewall rule, it’s clear that some action is needed. Importance of Visualization and Reporting Open source network analysis tools typically work through a command-line interface or a very simple graphic user interface. Most of the data you can collect through these tools must be processed separately before being communicated to non-technical stakeholders. High-performance firewall analysis tools like AlgoSec Firewall Analyzer provide additional support for custom visualizations and reports directly through the platform. Visualization allows non-technical stakeholders to immediately grasp the importance of optimizing firewall policies, conducting netflow analysis, and improving the organization’s security posture against emerging threats. For security leaders reporting to board members and external stakeholders, this can dramatically transform the success of security initiatives. AlgoSec Firewall Analyzer includes a Visualize tab that allows users to create custom data visualizations. You can save these visualizations individually or combine them into a dashboard. Some of the data sources you can use to create visualizations include: Interactive searches Saved searches Other saved visualizations Traffic Analysis Metrics and Reports Custom visualizations enhance reports by enabling non-technical audiences to understand complex network traffic metrics without the need for additional interpretation. Metrics like speed, bandwidth usage, packet loss, and latency provide in-depth information about the reliability and security of the network. Analyzing these metrics allows network administrators to proactively address performance bottlenecks, network issues, and security misconfigurations. This helps the organization’s leaders understand the network’s capabilities and identify the areas that need improvement. For example, an organization that is planning to migrate to the cloud must know whether its current network infrastructure can support that migration. The only way to guarantee this is by carefully measuring network performance and proactively mitigating security risks. Network traffic analysis tools should do more than measure simple metrics like latency. They need to combine latency into complex performance indicators that show how much latency is occuring, and how network conditions impact those metrics. That might include measuring the variation in delay between individual data packets (jitter), Packet Delay Variation (PDV), and others. With the right automated firewall analysis tool, these metrics can help you identify and address security vulnerabilities as well. For example, you could automate the platform to trigger alerts when certain metrics fall outside safe operating parameters. Exploring AlgoSec’s Network Traffic Analysis Tool AlgoSec Firewall Analyzer provides a wide range of operations and optimizations to security teams operating in complex environments. It enables firewall performance improvements and produces custom reports with rich visualizations demonstrating the value of its optimizations. Some of the operations that Firewall Analyzer supports include: Device analysis and change tracking reports. Gain in-depth data on device policies, traffic, rules, and objects. It analyzes the routing table that produces a connectivity diagram illustrating changes from previous reports on every device covered. Traffic and routing queries. Run traffic simulations on specific devices and groups to find out how firewall rules interact in specific scenarios. Troubleshoot issues that emerge and use the data collected to prevent disruptions to real-world traffic. This allows for seamless server IP migration and security validation. Compliance verification and reporting. Explore the policy and change history of individual devices, groups, and global categories. Generate custom reports that meet the requirements of corporate regulatory standards like Sarbanes-Oxley, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and others. Rule cleanup and auditing. Identify firewall rules that are either unused, timed out, disabled, or redundant. Safely remove rules that fail to improve your security posture, improving the efficiency of your firewall devices. List unused rules, rules that don’t conform to company policy, and more. Firewall Analyzer can even re-order rules automatically, increasing device performance while retaining policy logic. User notifications and alerts. Discover when unexpected changes are made and find out how those changes were made. Monitor devices for rule changes and send emails to pre-assigned users with device analyses and reports. Network Traffic Analysis for Threat Detection and Response By monitoring and inspecting network traffic patterns, firewall analysis tools can help security teams quickly detect and respond to threats. Layer on additional technologies like Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Network Detection and Response (NDR), and Threat Intelligence feeds to transform network analysis into a proactive detection and response solution. IDS solutions can examine packet headers, usage statistics, and protocol data flows to find out when suspicious activity is taking place. Network sensors may monitor traffic that passes through specific routers or switches, or host-based intrusion detection systems may monitor traffic from within a host on the network. NDR solutions use a combination of analytical techniques to identify security threats without relying on known attack signatures. They continuously monitor and analyze network traffic data to establish a baseline of normal network activity. NDR tools alert security teams when new activity deviates too far from the baseline. Threat intelligence feeds provide live insight on the indicators associated with emerging threats. This allows security teams to associate observed network activities with known threats as they develop in real-time. The best threat intelligence feeds filter out the huge volume of superfluous threat data that doesn’t pertain to the organization in question. Firewall Traffic Analysis in Specific Environments On-Premises vs. Cloud-hosted Environments Firewall traffic analyzers exist in both on-premises and cloud-based forms. As more organizations migrate business-critical processes to the cloud, having a truly cloud-native network analysis tool is increasingly important. The best of these tools allow security teams to measure the performance of both on-premises and cloud-hosted network devices, gathering information from physical devices, software platforms, and the infrastructure that connects them. Securing the Internet of Things It’s also important that firewall traffic analysis tools take Internet of Things (IoT) devices in consideration. These should be grouped separately from other network assets and furnished with firewall rules that strictly segment them. Ideally, if threat actors compromise one or more IoT devices, network segmentation won’t allow the attack to spread to other parts of the network. Conducting firewall analysis and continuously auditing firewall rules ensures that the barriers between network segments remain viable even if peripheral assets (like IoT devices) are compromised. Microsoft Windows Environments Organizations that rely on extensive Microsoft Windows deployments need to augment the built-in security capabilities that Windows provides. On its own, Windows does not offer the kind of in-depth security or visibility that organizations need. Firewall traffic analysis can play a major role helping IT decision-makers deploy technologies that improve the security of their Windows-based systems. Troubleshooting and Forensic Analysis Firewall analysis can provide detailed information into the causes of network problems, enabling IT professionals to respond to network issues more quickly. There are a few ways network administrators can do this: Analyzing firewall logs. Log data provides a wealth of information on who connects to network assets. These logs can help network administrators identify performance bottlenecks and security vulnerabilities that would otherwise go unnoticed. Investigating cyberattacks. When threat actors successfully breach network assets, they can leave behind valuable data. Firewall analysis can help pinpoint the vulnerabilities they exploited, providing security teams with the data they need to prevent future attacks. Conducting forensic analysis on known threats. Network traffic analysis can help security teams track down ransomware and malware attacks. An organization can only commit resources to closing its security gaps after a security professional maps out the killchain used by threat actors to compromise network assets. Key Integrations Firewall analysis tools provide maximum value when integrated with other security tools into a coherent, unified platform. Security information and event management (SIEM) tools allow you to orchestrate network traffic analysis automations with machine learning-enabled workflows to enable near-instant detection and response. Deploying SIEM capabilities in this context allows you to correlate data from different sources and draw logs from devices across every corner of the organization – including its firewalls. By integrating this data into a unified, centrally managed system, security professionals can gain real-time information on security threats as they emerge. AlgoSec’s Firewall Analyzer integrates seamlessly with leading SIEM solutions, allowing security teams to monitor, share, and update firewall configurations while enriching security event data with insights gleaned from firewall logs. Firewall Analyzer uses a REST API to transmit and receive data from SIEM platforms, allowing organizations to program automation into their firewall workflows and manage their deployments from their SIEM. Schedule a demo Related Articles Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Convergence didn’t fail, compliance did. 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* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

CIS provides best practices to help companies like yours improve their cloud security posture. You’ll protect your systems against... Cloud Security What is CIS Compliance? (and How to Apply CIS Benchmarks) Rony Moshkovich 2 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 6/20/23 Published CIS provides best practices to help companies like yours improve their cloud security posture. You’ll protect your systems against various threats by complying with its benchmark standards. This post will walk you through CIS benchmarks, their development, and the kinds of systems they apply to. We will also discuss the significance of CIS compliance and how Prevasio may help you achieve it. What are CIS benchmarks? CIS stands for Center for Internet Security . It’s a nonprofit organization that aims to improve companies’ cybersecurity readiness and response. Founded in 2000, the CIS comprises cybersecurity experts from diverse backgrounds. They have the common goal of enhancing cybersecurity resilience and reducing security threats. CIS compliance means adhering to the Center for Internet Security (CIS) benchmarks. CIS benchmarks are best practices and guidelines to help you build a robust cloud security strategy. These CIS benchmarks give a detailed road map for protecting a business’s IT infrastructure. They also encompass various platforms, such as web servers or cloud bases. The CIS benchmarks are frequently called industry standards. They are normally in line with other regulatory organizations, such as ISO, NIST, and HIPAA. Many firms adhere to CIS benchmarks to ensure they follow industry standards. They also do this to show their dedication to cybersecurity to clients and stakeholders. The CIS benchmarks and CIS controls are always tested through on-premises analysis by leading security firms. This ensures that CIS releases standards that are effective at mitigating cyber risks. How are the CIS benchmarks developed? A community of cybersecurity professionals around the world cooperatively develops CIS benchmarks. They exchange their knowledge, viewpoints, and experiences on a platform provided by CIS. The end result is consensus-based best practices that will protect various IT systems. The CIS benchmark development process typically involves the following steps: 1. Identify the technology: The first step is to identify the system or technology that has to be protected. This encompasses a range of applications. It can be an operating system, database, web server, or cloud environment. 2. Define the scope: The following stage is to specify the benchmark’s parameters. It involves defining what must be implemented for the technology to be successfully protected. They may include precise setups, guidelines, and safeguards. 3. Develop recommendations: Next, a community of cybersecurity experts will identify ideas for safeguarding the technology. These ideas are usually based on current best practices, norms, and guidelines. They may include the minimum security requirements and measures to be taken. 4. Expert consensus review: Thereafter, a broader group of experts and stakeholders assess the ideas. They will offer comments and suggestions for improvement. This level aims to achieve consensus on the appropriate technical safeguards. 5. Pilot testing: The benchmark is then tested in a real-world setting. At this point, CIS aims to determine its efficacy and spot any problems that need fixing. 6. Publication and maintenance: The CIS will publish the benchmark once it has been improved and verified. The benchmark will constantly be evaluated and updated to keep it current and useful for safeguarding IT systems. What are the CIS benchmark levels? CIS benchmarks are divided into three levels based on the complexity of an IT system. It’s up to you to choose the level you need based on the complexity of your IT environment. Each level of the benchmarks offers better security recommendations than the previous level. The following are the distinct categories that benchmarks are divided into: Level 1 This is the most basic level of CIS standards. It requires organizations to set basic security measures to reduce cyber threats. Some CIS guidelines at this level include password rules, system hardening, and risk management. The level 1 CIS benchmarks are ideal for small businesses with basic IT systems. Level 2 This is the intermediate level of the CIS benchmarks. It is suitable for small to medium businesses that have complex IT systems. The Level 2 CIS standards offer greater security recommendations to your cloud platform. It has guidelines for network segmentation, authentication, user permissions, logging, and monitoring. At this level, you’ll know where to focus your remediation efforts if you spot a vulnerability in your system. Level 2 also covers data protection topics like disaster recovery plans and encryption. Level 3 Level 3 is the most advanced level of the CIS benchmarks. It offers the highest security recommendations compared to the other two. Level 3 also offers the Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) profiles for companies. STIG are configuration guidelines developed by the Defense Information Systems Agency. These security standards help you meet US government requirements. This level is ideal for large organizations with the most sensitive and vital data. These are companies that must protect their IT systems from complex security threats. It offers guidelines for real-time security analytics, safe cloud environment setups, and enhanced threat detection. What types of systems do CIS benchmarks apply to? The CIS benchmarks are applicable to many IT systems used in a cloud environment. The following are examples of systems that CIS benchmarks can apply to: Operating systems: CIS benchmarks offer standard secure configurations for common operating systems, including Amazon Linux, Windows Servers, macOS, and Unix. They address network security, system hardening, and managing users and accounts. Cloud infrastructure: CIS benchmarks can help protect various cloud infrastructures, including public, private, and multi-cloud. They recommend guidelines that safeguard cloud systems by various cloud service providers. For example, network security, access restrictions, and data protection. The benchmarks cover cloud systems such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, IBM, Oracle, and Google Cloud Platform. Server software: CIS benchmarks provide secure configuration baselines for various servers, including databases (SQL), DNS, Web, and authentication servers. The baselines cover system hardening, patch management, and access restrictions. Desktop software: Desktop apps such as music players, productivity programs, and web browsers can be weak points in your IT system. CIS benchmarks offer guidelines to help you protect your desktop software from vulnerabilities. They may include patch management, user and account management, and program setup. Mobile devices: The CIS benchmarks recommend safeguarding endpoints such as tablets and mobile devices. The standards include measures for data protection, account administration, and device configuration. Network devices: CIS benchmarks also involve network hardware, including switches, routers, and firewalls. Some standards for network devices include access restrictions, network segmentation, logging, and monitoring. Print devices: CIS benchmarks also cover print devices like printers and scanners. The CIS benchmark baselines include access restrictions, data protection, and firmware upgrades. Why is CIS compliance important? CIS compliance helps you maintain secure IT systems. It does this by helping you adhere to globally recognized cybersecurity standards. CIS benchmarks cover various IT systems and product categories, such as cloud infrastructures. So by ensuring CIS benchmark compliance, you reduce the risk of cyber threats to your IT systems. Achieving CIS compliance has several benefits: 1. Your business will meet internationally accepted cybersecurity standards . The CIS standards are developed through a consensus review process. This means they are founded on the most recent threat intelligence and best practices. So you can rely on the standards to build a solid foundation for securing your IT infrastructure. 2. It can help you meet regulatory compliance requirements for other important cybersecurity frameworks . CIS standards can help you prove that you comply with other industry regulations. This is especially true for companies that handle sensitive data or work in regulated sectors. CIS compliance is closely related to other regulatory compliances such as NIST, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. By implementing the CIS standards, you’ll conform to the applicable industry regulations. 3. Achieving CIS continuous compliance can help you lower your exposure to cybersecurity risks . In the process, safeguard your vital data and systems. This aids in preventing data breaches, malware infections, and other cyberattacks. Such incidents could seriously harm your company’s operations, image, and financial situation. A great example is the Scottish Oil giant, SSE. It had to pay €10M in penalties for failing to comply with a CIS standard in 2013. 4. Abiding by the security measures set by CIS guidelines can help you achieve your goals faster as a business. The guidelines cover the most important and frequently attacked areas of IT infrastructure. 5. CIS compliance enhances your general security posture. It also decreases the time and resources needed to maintain security. It does this by providing uniform security procedures across various platforms. How to achieve CIS compliance? Your organization can achieve CIS compliance by conforming to the guidelines of the CIS benchmarks and CIS controls. Each CIS benchmark usually includes a description of a recommended configuration. It also usually contains a justification for the implementation of the configuration. Finally, it offers step-by-step instructions on how to carry out the recommendation manually. While the standards may seem easy to implement manually, they may consume your time and increase the chances of human errors. That is why most security teams prefer using tools to automate achieving and maintaining CIS compliance. CIS hardened images are great examples of CIS compliance automation tools. They are pre-configured images that contain all the necessary recommendations from CIS benchmarks. You can be assured of maintaining compliance by using these CIS hardened images in your cloud environment. You can also use CSPM tools to automate achieving and maintaining CIS compliance. Cloud Security Posture Management tools automatically scan for vulnerabilities in your cloud. They then offer detailed instructions on how to fix those issues effectively. This way, your administrators don’t have to go through the pain of doing manual compliance checks. You save time and effort by working with a CSPM tool. Use Prevasio to monitor CIS compliance. Prevasio is a cloud-native application platform (CNAPP) that can help you achieve and maintain CIS compliance in various setups, including Azure, AWS, and GCP. A CNAPP is basically a CSPM tool on steroids. It combines the features of CSPM, CIEM, IAM, and CWPP tools into one solution. This means you’ll get clearer visibility of your cloud environment from one platform. Prevasio constantly assesses your system against the latest version of CIS benchmarks. It then generates reports showing areas that need adjustments to keep your cloud security cyber threat-proof. This saves you time as you won’t have to do the compliance checks manually. Prevasio also has a robust set of features to help you comply with standards from other regulatory bodies. So using this CSPM tool, you’ll automatically comply with HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR. Prevasio offers strong vulnerability evaluation and management capabilities besides CIS compliance monitoring. It uses cutting-edge scanning algorithms to find known flaws, incorrect setups, and other security problems in IT settings. This can help you identify and fix vulnerabilities before fraudsters can exploit them. The bottom line on CIS compliance Achieving and maintaining CIS compliance is essential in today’s continually changing threat landscape . However, doing the compliance checks manually takes time. You may not also spot weaknesses in your cloud security in time. This means that you need to automate your CIS compliance. And what better solution than a cloud security posture management tool like Prevasio? Prevasio is the ideal option for observing compliance and preventing malware that attack surfaces in cloud assets. Prevasio offers a robust security platform to help you achieve CIS compliance and maintain a secure IT environment. This platform is agentless, meaning it doesn’t run on the cloud like most of its competitors. So you save a lot in costs every time Prevasio runs a scan. Prevaiso also conducts layer analysis. It helps you spot the exact line of code where the problem is rather than give a general area. In the process, saving you time spent identifying and solving critical threats. Try Prevasio today! Schedule a demo Related Articles Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Convergence didn’t fail, compliance did. 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* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

As the most widely adapted open-source container software, Kubernetes provides businesses with efficient processes to schedule, deploy,... Cloud Security Understanding and Preventing Kubernetes Attacks and Threats Ava Chawla 2 min read Ava Chawla 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 10/20/21 Published As the most widely adapted open-source container software, Kubernetes provides businesses with efficient processes to schedule, deploy, and scale containers across different machines. The bad news is that cybercriminals have figured out how to exploit the platform’s vulnerabilities , resulting in catastrophic network intrusions across many company infrastructures. A recent report revealed that 94% of respondents reported security incidents in Kubernetes environments. The question is, what is behind this surge of Kubernetes attacks, and how can they be prevented? How Kubernetes is Vulnerable As a container-based platform, a new set of vulnerabilities, permission issues, and specific images set the stage for the increase in attacks. The threats have included fileless malware in containers, leveraging misconfigured Docker API ports, and using container images for attacks. Misconfigured Docker API Ports Exploitation Scanning for misconfigured Docker API ports and using them for deploying images containing malware is a relatively new type of attack. The malware, designed to evade static scanning, has become a popular method to hijack compute cycles for fraudulent cryptomining. This cryptojacking activity steals CPU power to mine currencies such as Ethereum and Monero. By first identifying vulnerable front-end websites and other systems, attackers send a command through the application layer simply by manipulating a domain’s text field or through an exposed API in the website’s URL. The code then enters the container, where it is executed with commands sent to a Docker container’s shell. A wget command is executed to download the malware. To protect against this attack, enterprises must ensure their container files are not writable, establish CPU consumption limits, and enable alerts to detect interactive shell launches. DDoS Attacks With Open Docker Daemons Cybercriminals use misconfigured open Docker daemons to launch DDoS attacks using a botnet of containers. UDP flood and Slowloris were recently identified as two such types of container-based botnet attacks. A recent blog describes an anatomy of these Kubernetes attacks. The attackers first identified open Docker daemons using a scanning tool such as Shodan to scan the internet for IP addresses and find a list of hosts, open ports, and services. By uploading their own dedicated images to the Docker hub, they succeeded in deploying and remotely running the images on the host. Analyzing how the UDP flood attack was orchestrated required an inspection of the binary with IDA. This revealed the start_flood and start_tick threads. The source code for the attack was found on Github. This code revealed a try_gb parameter, with the range of 0 to 1,024, used to configure how much data to input to flood the target. However, it was discovered that attackers are able to modify this open-source code to create a self-compiled binary that floods the host with even greater amounts of UDP packets. In the case of the Slowloris attack, cybercriminals launched DDoS with the slowhttptest utility. The attackers were able to create a self-compiling binary that is unidentifiable in malware scans. Protection from these Kubernetes attacks requires vigilant assurance policies and prevention of images other than compliant ones to run in the system. Non-compliant images will then be blocked when intrusion attempts are made. Man in the Middle Attacks With LoadBalancer or ExternalIPs An attack affecting all versions of Kubernetes involves multi-tenant clusters. The most vulnerable clusters have tenants that are able to create and update services and pods. In this breach, the attacker can intercept traffic from other pods or nodes in the cluster by creating a ClusterIP service and setting the spec.externalIP’s field. Additionally, a user who is able to patch the status of a LoadBalancer service can grab traffic. The only way to mitigate this threat is to restrict access to vulnerable features. This can be done with the admission webhook container, externalip-webhook , which prevents services from using random external IPs. An alternative method is to lock external IPs with OPA Gatekeeper with this sample Constraint Templatecan. Siloscape Malware Security researcher, Daniel Prizmant, describes a newer malware attack that he calls Siloscape. Its primary goal is to escape the container that is mainly implemented in Windows server silo. The malware targets Kubernetes through Windows containers to open a backdoor into poorly configured clusters to run the malicious containers. While other malware attacks focus on cryptojacking, the Siloscape user’s motive is to go undetected and open a backdoor to the cluster for a variety of malicious activities. This is possible since Siloscape is virtually undetectable due to a lack of readable strings in the binary. This type of attack can prove catastrophic. It compromises an entire cluster running multiple cloud applications. Cybercriminals can access critical information including sign-ins, confidential files, and complete databases hosted inside the cluster. Additionally, organizations using Kubernetes clusters for testing and development can face catastrophic damage should these environments be breached. To prevent a Siloscape attack, it is crucial that administrators ensure their Kubernetes clusters are securely configured. This will prevent the malware from creating new deployments and force Siloscape to exit. Microsoft also recommends using only Hyper-V containers as a security boundary for anything relying on containerization. The Threat Matrix The MITRE ATT&CK database details additional tactics and techniques attackers are using to infiltrate Kubernetes environments to access sensitive information, mine cryptocurrency, perform DDoS attacks, and other unscrupulous activities. The more commonly used methods are as follows: 1. Kubernetes file compromise Because this file holds sensitive data such as cluster credentials, an attacker could easily gain initial access to the entire cluster. Only accept kubeconfig files from trusted sources. Others should be thoroughly inspected before they are deployed. 2. Using similar pod names Attackers create similar pod names and use random suffixes to hide them in the cluster. The pods then run malicious code and obtain access to many other resources. 3. Kubernetes Secrets intrusion Attackers exploit any misconfigurations in the cluster with the goal of accessing the API server and retrieving information from the Secrets objects. 4. Internal network access Attackers able to access a single pod that communicates with other pods or applications can move freely within the cluster to achieve their goals. 5. Using the writeable hostPath mount Attackers with permissions to create new containers can create one with a writeable hostPath volume. Kubernetes Attacks: Key Takeaways Kubernetes brings many advantages to organizations but also presents a variety of security risks, as documented above. However, by ensuring their environments are adequately protected through proper configuration and appropriately assigned permissions, the threat of Kubernetes attacks is greatly minimized. Should a container be compromised, properly assigned privileges can severely limit a cluster-wide compromise. Prevasio assists companies in the management of their cloud security through built-in vulnerability and anti-malware scans for containers. Contact us for more information on our powerful CSPM solutions. Learn about how we can protect your company from Kubernetes attacks and other cyberattacks. Schedule a demo Related Articles Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Convergence didn’t fail, compliance did. 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Tsippi Dach, Director of Communications at AlgoSec, explores the relationship between NetOps and SecOps and explains why they are the... DevOps The importance of bridging NetOps and SecOps in network management Tsippi Dach 2 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 4/16/21 Published Tsippi Dach, Director of Communications at AlgoSec, explores the relationship between NetOps and SecOps and explains why they are the perfect partnership The IT landscape has changed beyond recognition in the past decade or so. The vast majority of businesses now operate largely in the cloud, which has had a notable impact on their agility and productivity. A recent survey of 1,900 IT and security professionals found that 41 percent or organizations are running more of their workloads in public clouds compared to just one-quarter in 2019. Even businesses that were not digitally mature enough to take full advantage of the cloud will have dramatically altered their strategies in order to support remote working at scale during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with cloud innovation so high up the boardroom agenda, security is often left lagging behind, creating a vulnerability gap that businesses can little afford in the current heightened risk landscape. The same survey found the leading concern about cloud adoption was network security (58%). Managing organizations’ networks and their security should go hand-in-hand, but, as reflected in the survey, there’s no clear ownership of public cloud security. Responsibility is scattered across SecOps, NOCs and DevOps, and they don’t collaborate in a way that aligns with business interests. We know through experience that this siloed approach hurts security, so what should businesses do about it? How can they bridge the gap between NetOps and SecOps to keep their network assets secure and prevent missteps? Building a case for NetSecOps Today’s digital infrastructure demands the collaboration, perhaps even the convergence, of NetOps and SecOps in order to achieve maximum security and productivity. While the majority of businesses do have open communication channels between the two departments, there is still a large proportion of network and security teams working in isolation. This creates unnecessary friction, which can be problematic for service-based businesses that are trying to deliver the best possible end-user experience. The reality is that NetOps and SecOps share several commonalities. They are both responsible for critical aspects of a business and have to navigate constantly evolving environments, often under extremely restrictive conditions. Agility is particularly important for security teams in order for them to keep pace with emerging technologies, yet deployments are often stalled or abandoned at the implementation phase due to misconfigurations or poor execution. As enterprises continue to deploy software-defined networks and public cloud architecture, security has become even more important to the network team, which is why this convergence needs to happen sooner rather than later. We somehow need to insert the network security element into the NetOps pipeline and seamlessly make it just another step in the process. If we had a way to automatically check whether network connectivity is already enabled as part of the pre-delivery testing phase, that could, at least, save us the heartache of deploying something that will not work. Thankfully, there are tools available that can bring SecOps and NetOps closer together, such as Cisco ACI , Cisco Secure Workload and AlgoSec Security Management Solution . Cisco ACI, for instance, is a tightly coupled policy-driven solution that integrates software and hardware, allowing for greater application agility and data center automation. Cisco Secure Workload (previously known as Tetration), is a micro-segmentation and cloud workload protection platform that offers multi-cloud security based on a zero-trust model. When combined with AlgoSec, Cisco Secure Workload is able to map existing application connectivity and automatically generate and deploy security policies on different network security devices, such as ACI contract, firewalls, routers and cloud security groups. So, while Cisco Secure Workload takes care of enforcing security at each and every endpoint, AlgoSec handles network management. This is NetOps and SecOps convergence in action, allowing for 360-degree oversight of network and security controls for threat detection across entire hybrid and multi-vendor frameworks. While the utopian harmony of NetOps and SecOps may be some way off, using existing tools, processes and platforms to bridge the divide between the two departments can mitigate the ‘silo effect’ resulting in stronger, safer and more resilient operations. We recently hosted a webinar with Doug Hurd from Cisco and Henrik Skovfoged from Conscia discussing how you can bring NetOps and SecOps teams together with Cisco and AlgoSec. You can watch the recorded session here . Schedule a demo Related Articles Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Convergence didn’t fail, compliance did. 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* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

How to Secure Your Local Area Network In my last blog series we reviewed ways to protect the perimeter of your network and then we took... Firewall Change Management How to secure your LAN (Local Area Network) Matthew Pascucci 2 min read Matthew Pascucci 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 11/12/13 Published How to Secure Your Local Area Network In my last blog series we reviewed ways to protect the perimeter of your network and then we took it one layer deeper and discussed securing the DMZ . Now I’d like to examine the ways you can secure the Local Area Network, aka LAN, also known as the soft underbelly of the beast. Okay, I made that last part up, but that’s what it should be called. The LAN has become the focus of attack over the past couple years, due to companies tightening up their perimeter and DMZ. It’s very rare you’ll you see an attacker come right at you these days, when they can trick an unwitting user into clicking a weaponized link about “Cat Videos” (Seriously, who doesn’t like cat videos?!). With this being said, let’s talk about a few ways we can protect our soft underbelly and secure our network. For the first part of this blog series, let’s examine how to secure the LAN at the network layer. LAN and the Network Layer From the network layer, there are constant things that can be adjusted and used to tighten the posture of your LAN. The network is the highway where the data traverses. We need protection on the interstate just as we need protection on our network. Protecting how users are connecting to the Internet and other systems is an important topic. We could create an entire series of blogs on just this topic, but let’s try to condense it a little here. Verify that you’re network is segmented – it better be if you read my last article on the DMZ – but we need to make sure nothing from the DMZ is relying on internal services. This is a rule. Take them out now and thank us later. If this is happening, you are just asking for some major compliance and security issues to crop up. Continuing with segmentation, make sure there’s a guest network that vendors can attach to if needed. I hate when I go to a client/vendor’s site and they ask me to plug into their network. What if I was evil? What if I had malware on my laptop that’s now ripping throughout your network because I was dumb enough to click a link to a “Cat Video”? If people aren’t part of your company, they shouldn’t be connecting to your internal LAN plain and simple. Make sure you have egress filtering on your firewall so you aren’t giving complete access for users to pillage the Internet from your corporate workstation. By default users should only have access to port 80/443, anything else should be an edge case (in most environments). If users need FTP access there should be a rule and you’ll have to allow them outbound after authorization, but they shouldn’t be allowed to rush the Internet on every port. This stops malware, botnets, etc. that are communicating on random ports. It doesn’t protect everything since you can tunnel anything out of these ports, but it’s a layer! Set up some type of switch security that’s going to disable a port if there are different or multiple MAC addresses coming from a single port. This stops hubs from being installed in your network and people using multiple workstations. Also, attempt to set up NAC to get a much better understating of what’s connecting to your network while giving you complete control of those ports and access to resources from the LAN. In our next LAN security-focused blog, we’ll move from the network up the stack to the application layer. Schedule a demo Related Articles Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Convergence didn’t fail, compliance did. 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* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

Protecting an organization against every conceivable threat is rarely possible. There is a practically unlimited number of potential... Uncategorized Risk Management in Network Security: 7 Best Practices for 2024 Tsippi Dach 2 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 1/26/24 Published Protecting an organization against every conceivable threat is rarely possible. There is a practically unlimited number of potential threats in the world, and security leaders don’t have unlimited resources available to address them. Prioritizing risks associated with more severe potential impact allows leaders to optimize cybersecurity decision-making and improve the organization’s security posture. Cybersecurity risk management is important because many security measures come with large costs. Before you can implement security controls designed to protect against cyberattacks and other potential risks, you must convince key stakeholders to support the project. Having a structured approach to cyber risk management lets you demonstrate exactly how your proposed changes impact the organization’s security risk profile. This makes it much easier to calculate the return on cybersecurity investment – making it a valuable tool when communicating with board members and executives. Here are seven tips every security leader should keep in mind when creating a risk management strategy: Cultivate a security-conscious risk management culture Use risk registers to describe potential risks in detail Prioritize proactive, low-cost risk remediation when possible Treat risk management as an ongoing process Invest in penetration testing to discover new vulnerabilities Demonstrate risk tolerance by implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Don’t forget to consider false positives in your risk assessment What is a Risk Management Strategy? The first step to creating a comprehensive risk management plan is defining risk. According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) risk is “the effect of uncertainty on objectives”. This definition is accurate, but its scope is too wide. Uncertainty is everywhere, including things like market conditions, natural disasters, or even traffic jams. As a cybersecurity leader, your risk management process is more narrowly focused on managing risks to information systems, protecting sensitive data, and preventing unauthorized access. Your risk management program should focus on identifying these risks, assessing their potential impact, and creating detailed plans for addressing them. This might include deploying tools for detecting cyberattacks, implementing policies to prevent them, or investing in incident response and remediation tools to help you recover from them after they occur. In many cases, you’ll be doing all of these things at once. Crucially, the information you uncover in your cybersecurity risk assessment will help you prioritize these initiatives and decide how much to spend on them. Your risk management framework will provide you with the insight you need to address high-risk, high-impact cybersecurity threats first and manage low-risk, low-impact threats later on. 7 Tips for Creating a Comprehensive Risk Management Strategy 1. Cultivate a security-conscious risk management culture No CISO can mitigate security risks on their own. Every employee counts on their colleagues, partners, and supervisors to keep sensitive data secure and prevent data breaches. Creating a risk management strategy is just one part of the process of developing a security-conscious culture that informs risk-based decision-making. This is important because many employees have to make decisions that impact security on a daily basis. Not all of these decisions are critical-severity security scenarios, but even small choices can influence the way the entire organization handles risk. For example, most organizations list their employees on LinkedIn. This is not a security threat on its own, but it can contribute to security risks associated with phishing attacks and social engineering . Cybercriminals may create spoof emails inviting employees to fake webinars hosted by well-known employees, and use the malicious link to infect employee devices with malware. Cultivating a risk management culture won’t stop these threats from happening, but it might motivate employees to reach out when they suspect something is wrong. This gives security teams much greater visibility into potential risks as they occur, and increases the chance you’ll detect and mitigate threats before they launch active cyberattacks. 2. Use risk registers to describe potential risks in detail A risk register is a project management tool that describes risks that could disrupt a project during execution. Project managers typically create the register during the project planning phase and then refer to it throughout execution. A risk register typically uses the following characteristics to describe individual risks: Description : A brief overview of the risk itself. Category: The formal classification of the risk and what it affects. Likelihood: How likely this risk is to take place. Analysis: What would happen if this risk occurred. Mitigation: What would the team need to do to respond in this scenario. Priority: How critical is this risk compared to others. The same logic applies to business initiatives both large and small. Using a risk register can help you identify and control unexpected occurrences that may derail the organization’s ongoing projects. If these projects are actively supervised by a project manager, risk registers should already exist for them. However, there may be many initiatives, tasks, and projects that do not have risk registers. In these cases, you may need to create them yourself. Part of the overall risk assessment process should include finding and consolidating these risk registers to get an idea of the kinds of disruptions that can take place at every level of the organization. You may find patterns in the types of security risks that you find described in multiple risk registers. This information should help you evaluate the business impact of common risks and find ways to mitigate those risks effectively. 3. Prioritize proactive, low-cost risk remediation when possible Your organization can’t afford to prevent every single risk there is. That would require an unlimited budget and on-demand access to technical specialist expertise. However, you can prevent certain high-impact risks using proactive, low-cost policies that can make a significant difference in your overall security posture. You should take these opportunities when they present themselves. Password policies are a common example. Many organizations do not have sufficiently robust password policies in place. Cybercriminals know this –that’s why dictionary-based credential attacks still occur. If employees are reusing passwords across accounts or saving them onto their devices in plaintext, it’s only a matter of time before hackers notice. At the same time, upgrading a password policy is not an especially expensive task. Even deploying an enterprise-wide password manager and investing in additional training may be several orders of magnitude cheaper than implementing a new SIEM or similarly complex security platform. Your cybersecurity risk assessment will likely uncover many opportunities like this one. Take a close look at things like password policies, change management , and security patch update procedures and look for easy, low-cost projects that can provide immediate security benefits without breaking your budget. Once you address these issues, you will be in a much better position to pursue larger, more elaborate security implementations. 4. Treat risk management as an ongoing process Every year, cybercriminals leverage new tactics and techniques against their victims. Your organization’s security team must be ready to address the risks of emerging malware, AI-enhanced phishing messages, elaborate supply chain attacks, and more. As hackers improve their attack methodologies, your organization’s risk profile shifts. As the level of risk changes, your approach to information security must change as well. This means developing standards and controls that adjust according to your organization’s actual information security risk environment. Risk analysis should not be a one-time event, but a continuous one that delivers timely results about where your organization is today – and where it may be in the future. For example, many security teams treat firewall configuration and management as a one-time process. This leaves them vulnerable to emerging threats that they may not have known about during the initial deployment. Part of your risk management strategy should include verifying existing security solutions and protecting them from new and emerging risks. 5. Invest in penetration testing to discover new vulnerabilities There is more to discovering new risks than mapping your organization’s assets to known vulnerabilities and historical data breaches. You may be vulnerable to zero-day exploits and other weaknesses that won’t be immediately apparent. Penetration testing will help you discover and assess risks that you can’t find out about otherwise. Penetration testing mitigates risk by pinpointing vulnerabilities in your environment and showing how hackers could exploit them. Your penetration testing team will provide a comprehensive report showing you what assets were compromised and how. You can then use this information to close those security gaps and build a stronger security posture as a result. There are multiple kinds of penetration testing. Depending on your specific scenario and environment, you may invest in: External network penetration testing focuses on the defenses your organization deploys on internet-facing assets and equipment. The security of any business application exposed to the public may be assessed through this kind of test. Internal network penetration testing determines how cybercriminals may impact the organization after they gain access to your system and begin moving laterally through it. This also applies to malicious insiders and compromised credential attacks. Social engineering testing looks specifically at how employees respond to attackers impersonating customers, third-party vendors, and internal authority figures. This will help you identify risks associated with employee security training . Web application testing focuses on your organization’s web-hosted applications. This can provide deep insight into how secure your web applications are, and whether they can be leveraged to leak sensitive information. 6. Demonstrate risk tolerance by implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework The National Institute of Standards and Technology publishes one of the industry’s most important compliance frameworks for cybersecurity risk mitigation. Unlike similar frameworks like PCI DSS and GDPR, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is voluntary – you are free to choose when and how you implement its controls in your organization. This set of security controls includes a comprehensive, flexible approach to risk management. It integrates risk management techniques across multiple disciplines and combines them into an effective set of standards any organization can follow. As of 2023, the NIST Risk Management Framework focuses on seven steps: Prepare the organization to change the way it secures its information technology solutions. Categorize each system and the type of information it processes according to a risk and impact analysis/ Select which NIST SP 800-53 controls offer the best data protection for the environment. Implement controls and document their deployment. Assess whether the correct controls are in place and operating as intended. Authorize the implementation in partnership with executives, stakeholders, and IT decision-makers. Monitor control implementations and IT systems to assess their effectiveness and discover emerging risks. 7. Don’t forget to consider false positives in your risk assessment False positives refer to vulnerabilities and activity alerts that have been incorrectly flagged. They can take many forms during the cybersecurity risk assessment process – from vulnerabilities that don’t apply to your organization’s actual tech stack to legitimate traffic getting blocked by firewalls. False positives can impact risk assessments in many ways. The most obvious problem they present is skewing your assessment results. This may lead to you prioritizing security controls against threats that aren’t there. If these controls are expensive or time-consuming to deploy, you may end up having an uncomfortable conversation with key stakeholders and decision-makers later on. However, false positives are also a source of security risks. This is especially true with automated systems like next-generation firewalls , extended detection and response (XDR) solutions, and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms. Imagine one of these systems detects an outgoing video call from your organization. It flags the connection as suspicious and begins investigating it. It discovers the call is being made from an unusual location and contains confidential data, so it blocks the call and terminates the connection. This could be a case of data exfiltration, or it could be the company CEO presenting a report to stockholders while traveling. Most risk assessments don’t explore the potential risk of blocking high-level executive communications or other legitimate communications due to false positives. Use AlgoSec to Identify and Assess Network Security Risks More Accurately Building a comprehensive risk management strategy is not an easy task. It involves carefully observing the way your organization does business and predicting how cybercriminals may exploit those processes. It demands familiarity with almost every task, process, and technology the organization uses, and the ability to simulate attack scenarios from multiple different angles. There is no need to accomplish these steps manually. Risk management platforms like AlgoSec’s Firewall Analyzer can help you map business applications throughout your network and explore attack simulations with detailed “what-if” scenarios. Use Firewall Analyzer to gain deep insight into how your organization would actually respond to security incidents and unpredictable events, then use those insights to generate a more complete risk management approach. Schedule a demo Related Articles Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Convergence didn’t fail, compliance did. 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* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

As per Cloudwards , a new organization gets hit by ransomware every 14 seconds. This is despite the fact that global cybersecurity... Cyber Attacks & Incident Response How to improve network security (7 fundamental ways) Tsippi Dach 2 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 As per Cloudwards , a new organization gets hit by ransomware every 14 seconds. This is despite the fact that global cybersecurity spending is up and is around $150 billion per year. That’s why fortifying your organization’s network security is the need of the hour. Learn how companies are proactively improving their network security with these best practices. 7 Ways to improve network security: ` 1. Change the way you measure cyber security risk Cyber threats have evolved with modern cybersecurity measures. Thus, legacy techniques to protect the network are not going to work. These techniques include measures like maturity assessment, compliance attestation, and vulnerability aging reports, among other things. While they still have a place in cybersecurity, they’re insufficient. To level up, you need greater visibility over the various risk levels. This visibility will allow you to deploy resources as per need. At the bare minimum, companies need a dashboard that lists real-time data on the number of applications, the region they’re used in, the size and nature of the database, the velocity of M&A, etc. IT teams can make better decisions since the impact of new technologies like big data and AI falls unevenly on organizations. Along with visibility, companies need transparency and precision on how the tools behave against cyberattacks. You can use the ATT&CK Framework developed by MITRE Corporation, the most trustworthy threat behavior knowledge base available today. Use it as a benchmark to test the tools’ efficiency. Measuring the tools this way helps you prepare well in advance. Another measurement technique you must adopt is measuring performance against low-probability, high-consequence attacks. Pick the events that you conclude have the least chance of occurring. Then, test the tools on such attacks. Maersk learned this the hard way. In the notPetya incident , the company came pretty close to losing all of its IT data. Imagine the consequence it’d have on the company that handles the world’s supply chain. Measuring is the only way to learn whether your current cybersecurity arrangements meet the need. 2. Use VLAN and subnets An old saying goes, ‘Don’t keep all your eggs in the same basket.’ Doing so would mean losing the basket, losing all your eggs. That is true for IT networks as well. Instead of treating your network as a whole, divide it into multiple subnetworks. There are various ways you can do that: VLAN or Virtual LAN is one of them. VLAN helps you segment a physical network without investing in additional servers or devices. The different segments can then be handled differently as per the need. For example, the accounting department will have a separate segment, and so will the marketing and sales departments. This segmentation helps enhance security and limit damage. VLAN also helps you prioritize data, networks, and devices. There will be some data that is more critical than others. The more critical data warrant better security and protection, which you can provide through a VLAN partition. Subnets are another way to segment networks. As opposed to VLAN, which separates the network at the switch level, subnets partition the network at IP level or level 3. The various subnetworks can then communicate with each other and third-party networks over IP. With the adoption of technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), network segmentation is only going to get more critical. Each device used for data generation, like smartwatches, sensors, and cameras, can act as an entry point to your network. If the entry points are connected to sensitive data like consumers’ credit cards, it’s a recipe for disaster. You can implement VLAN or subnets in such a scenario. 3. Use NGFWs for cloud The firewall policy is at the core of cybersecurity. They’re essentially the guardians who check for intruders before letting the traffic inside the network. But with the growth of cloud technologies and the critical data they hold, traditional firewalls are no longer reliable. They can easily be passed by modern malware. You must install NGFWs or Next Generation Firewalls in your cloud to ensure total protection. These firewalls are designed specifically to counter modern cyberattacks. An NGFW builds on the capabilities of a traditional firewall. Thus, it inspects all the incoming traffic. But in addition, it has advanced capabilities like IPS (intrusion prevention system), NAT (network address translation), SPI (stateful protocol inspection), threat intelligence feeds, container protection, and SSL decryption, among others. NGFWs are also both user and application-aware. This allows them to provide context on the incoming traffic. NGFWs are important not only for cloud networks but also for hybrid networks . Malware from the cloud could easily transition into physical servers, posing a threat to the entire network. When selecting a next-gen firewall for your cloud, consider the following security features: The speed at which the firewall detects threats. Ideally, it should identify the attacks in seconds and detect data breaches within minutes. The number of deployment options available. The NGFW should be deployable on any premise, be it a physical, cloud, or virtual environment. Also, it should support different throughput speeds. The home network visibility it offers. It should report on the applications and websites, location, and users. In addition, it should show threats across the separate network in real-time. The detection capabilities. It goes without saying, but the next-gen firewall management should detect novel malware quickly and act as an anti-virus. Other functionalities that are core security requirements. Every business is different with its unique set of needs. The NGFW should fulfill all the needs. 4. Review and keep IAM updated To a great extent, who can access what determines the security level of a network. As a best practice, you should grant access to users as per their roles and requirement — nothing less, nothing more. In addition, it’s necessary to keep IAM updated as the role of users evolves. IAM is a cloud service that controls unauthorized access for users. The policies defined in this service either grant or reject resource access. You need to make sure the policies are robust. This requires you to review your IT infrastructure, the posture, and the users at the organization. Then create IAM policies and grant access as per the requirement. As already mentioned, users should have remote access to the resources they need. Take that as a rule. Along with that, uphold these important IAM principles to improve access control and overall network security strategy: Zero in on the identity It’s important to identify and verify the identity of every user trying to access the network. You can do that by centralizing security control on both user and service IDs. Adopt zero-trust Trust no one. That should be the motto when handling a company’s network security. It’s a good practice to assume every user is untrustworthy unless proven otherwise. Therefore, have a bare minimum verification process for everyone. Use MFA MFA or multi-factor authentication is another way to safeguard network security. This could mean they have to provide their mobile number or OTA pin in addition to the password. MFA can help you verify the user and add an additional security layer. Beef up password Passwords are a double-edged sword. They protect the network but also pose a threat when cracked. To prevent this, choose strong passwords meeting a certain strength level. Also, force users to update their unique passwords regularly. If possible, you can also go passwordless. This involves installing email-based or biometric login systems. Limit privileged accounts Privileged accounts are those accounts that have special capabilities to access the network. It’s important to review such accounts and limit their number. 5. Always stay in compliance Compliance is not only for pleasing the regulators. It’s also for improving your network security. Thus, do not take compliance for granted; always make your network compliant with the latest standards. Compliance requirements are conceptualized after consulting with industry experts and practitioners. They have a much better authoritative position to discuss what needs to be done at an industry level. For example, in the card sector, it’s compulsory to have continuous penetration testing done. So, when fulfilling a requirement, you adopt the best practices and security measures. The requirements don’t remain static. They evolve and change as loopholes emerge. The new set of compliance frameworks helps ensure you’re up-to-date with the latest standards. Compliance is also one of the hardest challenges to tackle. That’s because there are various types of compliances. There are government-, industry-, and product-level compliance requirements that companies must keep up with. Moreover, with hybrid networks and multi-cloud workflows, the task only gets steeper. Cloud security management tools can help in this regard to some extent. Since they grant a high level of visibility, spotting non-compliance becomes easier. Despite the challenges, investing more is always wise to stay compliant. After all, your business reputation depends on it. 6. Physically protect your network You can have the best software or service provider to protect your wireless networks and access points. But they will still be vulnerable if physical protection isn’t in place. In the cybersecurity space, the legend has it that the most secure network is the one that’s behind a closed door. Any network that has humans nearby is susceptible to cyberattacks. Therefore, make sure you have appropriate security personnel at your premises. They should have the capability and authority to physically grant or deny access to those seeking access to the network on all operating systems. Make use of biometric IDs to identify the employees. Also, prohibit the use of laptops, USB drives, and other electronic gadgets that are not authorized. When creating a network, data security teams usually authorize each device that can access it. This is known as Layer 1. To improve network security policy , especially on Wi-Fi (WPA), ensure all the network devices and workstations and SSIDs connected to the network as trustworthy. Adopt the zero-trust security policies for every device: considered untrustworthy until proven otherwise. 7. Train and educate your employees Lastly, to improve network security management , small businesses must educate their employees and invest in network monitoring. Since every employee is connected to the Wi-Fi network somehow, everyone poses a security threat. Hackers often target those with privileged access. Such accounts, once exploited by cybercriminals, can be used to access different segments of the network with ease. Thus, such personnel should receive education on priority. Train your employees on attacks like phishing, spoofing, code injection, DNS tunneling, etc. With knowledge, employees can tackle such attempts head-on. This, in turn, makes the network much more secure. After the privileged account holders are trained, make others in your organization undergo the same training. The more educated they are, the better it is for the network. It’s worth reviewing their knowledge of cybersecurity from time to time. You can conduct a simple survey in Q&A format to test the competency of your team. Based on the results, you can hold training sessions and get everyone on the same page. The bottom line on network security Data breaches often come at a hefty cost. And the most expensive item on the list is the trust of users. Once a data leak happens, retaining customers’ trust is very hard. Regulators aren’t easy on the executives either. Thus, the best option is to safeguard and improve your network security . Schedule a demo Related Articles Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Convergence didn’t fail, compliance did. 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* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

Jeremiah Cornelius, Technical Leader for Alliances and Partners at AlgoSec, explores the security capability native to VMware’s approach... Digital Transformation Intrinsic Transformation: VMware NSX-T and AlgoSec Go Beyond Virtualization Jeremiah Cornelius 2 min read Jeremiah Cornelius 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 7/8/21 Published Jeremiah Cornelius, Technical Leader for Alliances and Partners at AlgoSec, explores the security capability native to VMware’s approach for virtual networking with NSX-T. Intrinsic transformation NSX-T culminates VMware’s decade of development of these technologies, that better align than ever before with AlgoSec’s approach for software automation of micro-segmentation and compliant security operations management. It is the latest iteration of VMware’s approach to networking and security, derived from many years as a platform for operating virtual machines, and managing these as hosted “vApp” workloads. If you’re familiar with the main players in Software Defined Networking, then you may remember that NSX-T shares its origin in the same student research at Stanford University, which also gave rise to several other competing SDN offerings. One thing that differentiated VMware from other players was their strong focus on virtualization over traditional network equipment stacks. This meant in some cases, network connections, data-packets, forwarding, and endpoints all existing in software and no “copper wire” existing anywhere! Knowing about this difference is more than a bit of trivia — it explains how the NSX family was designed with security features built into the architecture, having native capability for software security controls such as firewall segmentation and packet inspection. Described by VMware as “Intrinsic Security,” these are NSX capabilities that first drove the widespread acceptance of practical micro-segmentation in the data center. Since that first introduction of NSX micro-segmentation, a transformation occurred in customer demands, which required an expansion of VMware’s universe to horizons beyond their hypervisor and virtual machines. As a key enabler for this expansion, NSX-T has emerged as a networking and security technology that extends from serverless micro-services and container frameworks to VMs hosted on many cloud architectures located in physical data centers or as tenants in public clouds. The current iteration is called the NSX-T Service-Defined Firewall, which controls access to applications and services along with business-focused policies. Leaders in our segments If you’ve followed this far along, then maybe you’ve recognized several common themes between AlgoSec’s Security Management Suite and VMware’s NSX-T. Among these are security operations management as software configuration, modeling connectivity on business uses versus technology conventions, and transforming security into an enabling function. It’s not a surprise then, to know that our companies are technology partners. In fact, we began our alliance with VMware back in 2015 as the uptake in NSX micro-segmentation began to reveal an increased need for visibility, planning, automation, and reporting — along with requirements for extending policy from NSX objects to attached physical security devices from a variety of vendors. The sophistication and flexibility of NSX enforcement capability were excellently matched by the AlgoSec strengths in identifying risk and maintaining compliance while sustaining a change management record of configurations from our combined workflow automation. Strength to strength Up until now, this is a rosy picture painted, with an emphasis on the upsides of the AlgoSec partnership with VMware NSX-T. In the real world, we find that many of our applications are not-so-well understood as to be ready for micro-segmentation. More often, the teams responsible for the availability and security of these applications are detached from the business intent and value, further making it difficult to assess and therefore address risks. The line between traditional-style infrastructure and modern services isn’t always as clearly defined, either — making the advantages possible by migration and transformation difficult to determine and potentially introducing their own risks. It is in these environments, with multiple technologies, different stakeholders, and operation teams with different scopes, that AlgoSec solves hard problems with better automation tools. Taking advantage of NSX-T means first being faced with multiple deployment types, including public and private clouds as well as on-prem infrastructure, multiple security vendors, unclear existing network flows, and missing associations between business applications and their existing controls. These are visibility issues that AlgoSec resolves by automating the discovery and mapping of business applications , including associated policies across different technologies, and producing visual, graphic analysis that includes risk assessment and impact of changes. This capability for full visibility leads directly to addressing the open issues for risk and compliance. After all, if these present challenges in discovering and identifying risk using existing technology solutions, then there’s a big gap to close on the way to transforming these. Since AlgoSec has addressed the visibility across these, identifying risk becomes uniform and manageable. AlgoSec can lower transformation risk with NSX-T while ensuring that risk and compliance management are maintained on an ongoing basis. Workflow for risk mitigation by NSX-T intrinsic security can be driven by AlgoSec policy automation, without recourse to multiple tools when these mitigations need to cross boundaries to third-party firewalls or cloud security controls. With this integrated policy automation, what were once point-in-time configurations can be enabled for discovery-based updates for internal standards and changes to regulatory mandates. The result of AlgoSec pairing with VMWare NSX-T is a simplified overall security architecture — one that more rapidly responds to emerging risk and requests for changes, accelerates the speed of operations while more closely aligning with business, and ensures both compliant configurations and compliant lifecycle operations. VMware NSX? Ask AlgoSec The AlgoSec integration with VMware NSX-T builds on our years of collaboration with earlier versions of the NSX platform, with a track record of solving the more difficult configuration management problems for leaders of principal industries around the globe. If you want to discover more about what AlgoSec does to enable and enrich our alliance solution with VMware , contact us! AlgoSec works directly with VMware and your trusted technology delivery partners, and we’re glad to share more with you. Schedule a personal demo to see how AlgoSec makes your transformation to VMware Intrinsic Security possible now. Schedule a demo Related Articles Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Convergence didn’t fail, compliance did. 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* country* Select country... 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I spend my days talking with customers and prospects around their security solutions, primarily regarding securing application... Hybrid Cloud Security Management Navigating the currents of cybersecurity trends Eric Jeffery 2 min read Eric Jeffery 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. cloudsecurity, hybridcloud, hybridcloudsecurity Tags Share this article 7/13/23 Published I spend my days talking with customers and prospects around their security solutions, primarily regarding securing application connectivity. Every conversation takes its own direction. Nevertheless, I hear similar challenges and goals across industries. I heard from a manufacturing firm that cost constraints require they centralize on Microsoft. An oil and gas company mentioned their needs to align their Operating Technology (OT) environment with their corporate technology solutions (IT). A healthcare organization let me know they were asked to use more Cisco technology and decommission competitive solutions. A financial services firm stated that they were looking to consolidate with zScaler thus eliminating numerous other security solutions. A second financial services firm inquired about AlgoSec Cloud offerings , so they ensure proper monitoring and security for their Cloud deployments. These themes appear and reappear daily, highlighting key trends throughout information security. The older I get, the more I understand how “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” Trends fall perfectly into this colloquialism, as we see organizations routinely move towards newer, hotter, and hopefully more powerful technologies. Working directly with customers of cybersecurity technology, I see similarities with direction and desire for future technical goals. Some of these I’ve seen before, such as centralization and consolidation. Cloud technologies have been around for a decade or more, but I consider this a current trend due to Cloud’s nature and diversity within the technology space. While specific trends come and go, the idea of trends remains the same. Cybersecurity professionals should understand current trends around the industry and see how these movements can improve their security maturity. In the fast-paced realm of cybersecurity, trends constantly emerge and evolve, shaping the landscape in which organizations operate. As I engage with customers and prospects, I uncover recurring patterns and goals that drive the industry forward. Understanding these trends is essential for cybersecurity professionals to strengthen their defenses and adapt to emerging threats. In this blog post, we will dive into the prevailing trends in cybersecurity today, providing insights to help organizations navigate the ever-changing currents. Centralization and consolidation: Empowering organizational control One significant trend is the movement towards centralization and consolidation. Centralization involves bringing technology resources into a unified location or under a cohesive solution. Consolidation focuses on streamlining vendors or technical suites to improve efficiency and reduce costs. For instance, organizations are exploring enterprise licensing options, such as those offered by Microsoft, which provide bundled services like MS Teams, O365, and MS Defender. This consolidation empowers businesses to replace multiple tools with integrated Microsoft technologies, resulting in cost savings and streamlined operations. Enterprise licensing grows in popularity (and could very well be a trend in and of itself) providing organizations an easy way to save money while using a consolidated solution. The most common enterprise license that I run into comes from Microsoft. Businesses that have certain license levels receive additional services such as MS Teams, O365, MS Defender, or other Microsoft technologies at either no or reduced cost. This capability empowers businesses to replace Zoom and WebEx with MS Teams. On the security front companies replace Crowdstrike, McAfee, Norton, and other endpoint protection solutions with MS Defender. For endpoint vulnerability management, Nexpose and Nessus see displacement by MS Defender Vulnerability Management. QRadar, Splunk, Exabeam and other SIEM lose out to Microsoft Sentinel. With a Cisco relationship, companies can potentially save money substituting Illumio or Guardicore in lieu of Cisco Secure Workload (formerly Tetration). With cost management sitting atop the list of priorities for CFO’s , consolidation is a consummate method for technology executives to align with this consideration. Consolidation trends reoccur regularly, especially during financial turmoil. Organizations looking to align technology with financial and business concerns should look to this trend and determine if/where benefits align. After consolidation, I hear a lot about centralization. While customers don’t use this word, at the core, this is what they are looking for. The main technical consideration around this consolidation falls under secure access services edge, known as SASE . SASE inherently centralizes security inside a robust environment that passes customer traffic. COVID-19 introduced a severe need to create secure solutions for remote workers. While SASE began pre-2020, the virus really launched this business (as it did with teleconferencing, a trend back in 2020 and 2021). Entities using SASE pass end user traffic through a central location which provides numerous security services. These offerings include virtual private networks (VPN), proxy, web-filtering, virus protection, spam protection, and many others. Each of these technologies also lends themselves to the consolidation trend tying both movements together. Organizations looking to cut costs procure SASE, align this with numerous information technology teams (networks, Cloud, security, etc.) and double up on trends. Embracing the power of the Cloud The Cloud has revolutionized the information technology landscape, and cyber security is no exception. Organizations are increasingly leveraging Cloud technology as part of their digital transformation journeys. From compliance to network security, application security, and identity management, the Cloud offers a multitude of benefits. It enables organizations to offload hardware maintenance, software upgrades, and data center costs while providing scalability and flexibility. My customers look to not only expand in single clouds, primarily AWS, MS Azure, and Google Cloud, they are going across Clouds creating hybrid deployments. Hybrid solutions enhance the need for security as cross deployments require extensive monitoring and review ensuring zero gaps. Cloud attacks happen more often than ever and with this trend continuing, industry must understand and secure these environments. The importance of staying informed To thrive in the ever-changing world of cyber security, professionals must stay informed about the latest trends. Whether it’s for cost optimization, enhanced security, or delivering innovative services, organizations need to be aware of opportunities to improve their information technology landscapes. Complacency can be detrimental, and understanding the current trends allows businesses to align their goals, enhance operational capacity, and safeguard their digital assets effectively. Centralization, consolidation, and Cloud technologies are at the forefront of today’s trends, offering organizations the means to grow, add value, and protect their data. In the dynamic realm of cyber security, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for organizations seeking to fortify their defenses. Centralization, consolidation, and Cloud technologies are driving the industry forward. By understanding and embracing these trends, businesses can align their strategies, enhance security postures, and capitalize on growth opportunities. As the currents of cyber security trends continue to shift, it’s essential to navigate these waters with agility and adaptability. By doing so, organizations can confidently steer towards success in the ever-evolving world of cyber security. For more information on hybrid cloud security, please check out the latest Managing Cybersecurity podcast. #cloudsecurity #hybridcloud #HybridCloudSecurity Schedule a demo Related Articles Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Convergence didn’t fail, compliance did. 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* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

Properly configured firewalls are vital in any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. However, even the most robust configurations can be... Uncategorized How To Prevent Firewall Breaches (The 2024 Guide) Tsippi Dach 2 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 1/11/24 Published Properly configured firewalls are vital in any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. However, even the most robust configurations can be vulnerable to exploitation by attackers. No single security measure can offer absolute protection against all cyber threats and data security risks . To mitigate these risks, it’s crucial to understand how cybercriminals exploit firewall vulnerabilities. The more you know about their tactics, techniques, and procedures, the better-equipped you are to implement security policies that successfully block unauthorized access to network assets. In this guide, you’ll understand the common cyber threats that target enterprise firewall systems with the goal of helping you understand how attackers exploit misconfigurations and human vulnerabilities. Use this information to protect your network from a firewall breach. Understanding 6 Tactics Cybercriminals Use to Breach Firewalls 1. DNS Leaks Your firewall’s primary use is making sure unauthorized users do not gain access to your private network and the sensitive information it contains. But firewall rules can go both ways – preventing sensitive data from leaving the network is just as important. If enterprise security teams neglect to configure their firewalls to inspect outgoing traffic, cybercriminals can intercept this traffic and use it to find gaps in your security systems. DNS traffic is particularly susceptible to this approach because it shows a list of websites users on your network regularly visit. A hacker could use this information to create a spoofed version of a frequently visited website. For example, they might notice your organization’s employees visit a third-party website to attend training webinars. Registering a fake version of the training website and collecting employee login credentials would be simple. If your firewall doesn’t inspect DNS data and confirm connections to new IP addresses, you may never know. DNS leaks may also reveal the IP addresses and endpoint metadata of the device used to make an outgoing connection. This would give cybercriminals the ability to see what kind of hardware your organization’s employees use to connect to external websites. With that information in hand, impersonating managed service providers or other third-party partners is easy. Some DNS leaks even contain timestamp data, telling attackers exactly when users requested access to external web assets. How to protect yourself against DNS leaks Proper firewall configuration is key to preventing DNS-related security incidents. Your organization’s firewalls should provide observability and access control to both incoming and outgoing traffic. Connections to servers known for hosting malware and cybercrime assets should be blocked entirely. Connections to servers without a known reputation should be monitored closely. In a Zero Trust environment , even connections to known servers should benefit from scrutiny using an identity-based security framework. Don’t forget that apps can connect to external resources, too. Consider deploying web application firewalls configured to prevent DNS leaks when connecting to third-party assets and servers. You may also wish to update your security policy to require employees to use VPNs when connecting to external resources. An encrypted VPN connection can prevent DNS information from leaking, making it much harder for cybercriminals to conduct reconnaissance on potential targets using DNS data. 2. Encrypted Injection Attacks Older, simpler firewalls analyze traffic by looking at different kinds of data packet metadata. This provides clear evidence of certain denial-of-service attacks, clear violations of network security policy , and some forms of malware and ransomware . They do not conduct deep packet inspection to identify the kind of content passing through the firewall. This provides cybercriminals with an easy way to bypass firewall rules and intrusion prevention systems – encryption . If malicious content is encrypted before it hits the firewall, it may go unnoticed by simple firewall rules. Only next-generation firewalls capable of handling encrypted data packets can determine whether this kind of traffic is secure or not. Cybercriminals often deliver encrypted injection attacks through email. Phishing emails may trick users into clicking on a malicious link that injects encrypted code into the endpoint device. The script won’t decode and run until after it passes the data security threshold posed by the firewall. After that, it is free to search for personal data, credit card information, and more. Many of these attacks will also bypass antivirus controls that don’t know how to handle encrypted data. Task automation solutions like Windows PowerShell are also susceptible to these kinds of attacks. Even sophisticated detection-based security solutions may fail to recognize encrypted injection attacks if they don’t have the keys necessary to decrypt incoming data. How to protect yourself against encrypted injection attacks Deep packet inspection is one of the most valuable features next-generation firewalls provide to security teams. Industry-leading firewall vendors equip their products with the ability to decrypt and inspect traffic. This allows the firewall to prevent malicious content from entering the network through encrypted traffic, and it can also prevent sensitive encrypted data – like login credentials – from leaving the network. These capabilities are unique to next-generation firewalls and can’t be easily replaced with other solutions. Manufacturers and developers have to equip their firewalls with public-key cryptography capabilities and obtain data from certificate authorities in order to inspect encrypted traffic and do this. 3. Compromised Public Wi-Fi Public Wi-Fi networks are a well-known security threat for individuals and organizations alike. Anyone who logs into a password-protected account on public Wi-Fi at an airport or coffee shop runs the risk of sending their authentication information directly to hackers. Compromised public Wi-Fi also presents a lesser-known threat to security teams at enterprise organizations – it may help hackers breach firewalls. If a remote employee logs into a business account or other asset from a compromised public Wi-Fi connection, hackers can see all the data transmitted through that connection. This may give them the ability to steal account login details or spoof endpoint devices and defeat multi-factor authentication. Even password-protected private Wi-Fi connections can be abused in this way. Some Wi-Fi networks still use outdated WEP and WPA security protocols that have well-known vulnerabilities. Exploiting these weaknesses to take control of a WEP or WPA-protected network is trivial for hackers. The newer WPA2 and WPA3 standards are much more resilient against these kinds of attacks. While public Wi-Fi dangers usually bring remote workers and third-party service vendors to mind, on-premises networks are just as susceptible. Nothing prevents a hacker from gaining access to public Wi-Fi networks in retail stores, receptions, or other areas frequented by customers and employees. How to protect yourself against compromised public Wi-Fi attacks First, you must enforce security policies that only allow Wi-Fi traffic secured by WPA2 and WPA3 protocols. Hardware Wi-Fi routers that do not support these protocols must be replaced. This grants a minimum level of security to protected Wi-Fi networks. Next, all remote connections made over public Wi-Fi networks must be made using a secure VPN. This will encrypt the data that the public Wi-Fi router handles, making it impossible for a hacker to intercept without gaining access to the VPN’s secret decryption key. This doesn’t guarantee your network will be safe from attacks, but it improves your security posture considerably. 4. IoT Infrastructure Attacks Smartwatches, voice-operated speakers, and many automated office products make up the Internet of Things (IoT) segment of your network. Your organization may be using cloud-enriched access control systems, cost-efficient smart heating systems, and much more. Any Wi-Fi-enabled hardware capable of automation can safely be included in this category. However, these devices often fly under the radar of security team’s detection tools, which often focus on user traffic. If hackers compromise one of these devices, they may be able to move laterally through the network until they arrive at a segment that handles sensitive information. This process can take time, which is why many incident response teams do not consider suspicious IoT traffic to be a high-severity issue. IoT endpoints themselves rarely process sensitive data on their own, so it’s easy to overlook potential vulnerabilities and even ignore active attacks as long as the organization’s mission-critical assets aren’t impacted. However, hackers can expand their control over IoT devices and transform them into botnets capable of running denial-of-service attacks. These distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are much larger and more dangerous, and they are growing in popularity among cybercriminals. Botnet traffic associated with DDoS attacks on IoT networks has increased five-fold over the past year , showing just how promising it is for hackers. How to protect yourself against IoT infrastructure attacks Proper network segmentation is vital for preventing IoT infrastructure attacks . Your organization’s IoT devices should be secured on a network segment that is isolated from the rest of the network. If attackers do compromise the entire network, you should be protected from the risk of losing sensitive data from critical business assets. Ideally, this protection will be enforced with a strong set of firewalls managing the connection between your IoT subnetwork and the rest of your network. You may need to create custom rules that take your unique security risk profile and fleet of internet-connected devices into account. There are very few situations in which one-size-fits-all rulemaking works, and this is not one of them. All IoT devices – no matter how small or insignificant – should be protected by your firewall and other cybersecurity solutions . Never let these devices connect directly to the Internet through an unsecured channel. If they do, they provide attackers with a clear path to circumvent your firewalls and gain access to the rest of your network with ease. 5. Social Engineering and Phishing Social engineering attacks refer to a broad range of deceptive practices used by hackers to gain access to victims’ assets. What makes this approach special is that it does not necessarily depend on technical expertise. Instead of trying to hack your systems, cybercriminals are trying to hack your employees and company policies to carry out their attacks. Email phishing is one of the most common examples. In a typical phishing attack , hackers may spoof an email server to make it look like they are sending emails from a high-level executive in the company you work for. They can then impersonate this executive and demand junior accountants pay fictitious invoices or send sensitive customer data to email accounts controlled by threat actors. Other forms of social engineering can use your organization’s tech support line against itself. Attackers may pretend to represent large customer accounts and will leverage this ruse to gain information about how your company works. They may impersonate a third-party vendor and request confidential information that the vendor would normally have access to. These attacks span the range from simple trickery to elaborate confidence scams. Protecting against them can be incredibly challenging, and your firewall capabilities can make a significant difference in your overall state of readiness. How to protect yourself against social engineering attacks Employee training is the top priority for protecting against social engineering attacks . When employees understand the company’s operating procedures and security policies, it’s much harder for social engineers to trick them. Ideally, training should also include in-depth examples of how phishing attacks work, what they look like, and what steps employees should take when contacted by people they don’t trust. 6. Sandbox Exploits Many organizations use sandbox solutions to prevent file-based malware attacks. Sandboxes work by taking suspicious files and email attachments and opening them in a secure virtual environment before releasing them to users. The sandbox solution will observe how the file behaves and quarantine any file that shows malicious activity. In theory, this provides a powerful layer of defense against file-based attacks. But in practice, cybercriminals are well aware of how to bypass these solutions. For example, many sandbox solutions can’t open files over a certain size. Hackers who attach malicious code to large files can easily get through. Additionally, many forms of malware do not start executing malicious tasks the second they are activated. This delay can provide just enough of a buffer to get through a sandbox system. Some sophisticated forms of malware can even detect when they are being run in a sandbox environment – and will play the part of an innocent program until they are let loose inside the network. How to protect yourself against sandbox exploits Many next-generation firewalls include cloud-enabled sandboxing capable of running programs of arbitrary size for a potentially unlimited amount of time. More sophisticated sandbox solutions go to great lengths to mimic the system specifications of an actual endpoint so malware won’t know it is being run in a virtual environment. Organizations may also be able to overcome the limitations of the sandbox approach using Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR) techniques. This approach keeps potentially malicious files off the network entirely and only allows a reconstructed version of the file to enter the network. Since the new file is constructed from scratch, it will not contain any malware that may have been attached to the original file. Prevent firewall breaches with AlgoSec Managing firewalls manually can be overwhelming and time-consuming – especially when dealing with multiple firewall solutions. With the help of a firewall management solution , you easily configure firewall rules and manage configurations from a single dashboard. AlgoSec’s powerful firewall management solution integrates with your firewalls to deliver unified firewall policy management from a single location, thus streamlining the entire process. With AlgoSec, you can maintain clear visibility of your firewall ruleset, automate the management process, assess risk & optimize rulesets, streamline audit preparation & ensure compliance, and use APIs to access many features through web services. Schedule a demo Related Articles Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Convergence didn’t fail, compliance did. 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* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call

The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is set to transform how financial institutions across the European Union manage and... Network Security Navigating DORA: How to ensure your network security and compliance strategy is resilient Joseph Hallman 2 min read Joseph Hallman 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 12/19/24 Published The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is set to transform how financial institutions across the European Union manage and mitigate ICT (Information and Communications Technology) risks. With the official compliance deadline in January 2025, organizations are under pressure to ensure their systems can withstand and recover from disruptions—an urgent priority in an increasingly digitized financial ecosystem. DORA introduces strict requirements for ICT risk management, incident reporting, and third-party oversight, aiming to bolster the operational resilience of financial firms. But what are the key deadlines and penalties, and how can organizations ensure they stay compliant? Key Timelines and Penalties Under DORA Compliance deadline: January 2025 – Financial firms and third-party ICT providers must have operational resilience frameworks in place by this deadline. Regular testing requirements – Companies will need to conduct resilience testing regularly, with critical institutions potentially facing enhanced testing requirements. Penalties for non-compliance – Fines for failing to comply with DORA’s mandates can be substantial. Non-compliance could lead to penalties of up to 2% of annual turnover, and repeated breaches could result in even higher sanctions or operational restrictions. Additionally, firms face reputational risks if they fail to meet incident reporting and recovery expectations. Long term effect- DORA increases senior management's responsibility for ICT risk oversight, driving stronger internal controls and accountability. Executives may face liability for failing to manage risks, reinforcing the focus on compliance and governance. These regulations create a dynamic challenge, as organizations not only need to meet the initial requirements by 2025, but also adapt to the changes as the standards continue to evolve over time. Firewall rule recertification The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) emphasizes the need for financial institutions in the EU to ensure operational resilience in the face of technological risks. While DORA does not explicitly mandate firewall rule recertification , several of its broader requirements apply to the management and oversight of firewall rules and the overall security infrastructure, which would include periodic firewall rule recertification as part of maintaining a robust security posture. A few of the key areas relevant to firewall rules and the necessity for frequent recertification are highlighted below. ICT Risk Management Framework- Article 6 requires financial institutions to implement a comprehensive ICT (Information and Communication Technology) risk management framework. This includes identifying, managing, and regularly testing security policies, which would encompass firewall rules as they are a critical part of network security. Regular rule recertification helps to ensure that firewall configurations are up-to-date and aligned with security policies. Detection Solutions- Article 10 mandates that financial entities must implement effective detection solutions to identify anomalies, incidents, and cyberattacks. These solutions are required to have multiple layers of control, including defined alert thresholds that trigger incident response processes. Regular testing of these detection mechanisms is also essential to ensure their effectiveness, underscoring the need for ongoing evaluations of firewall configurations and rules ICT Business Continuity Policy- Article 11 emphasizes the importance of establishing a comprehensive ICT business continuity policy. This policy should include strategic approaches to risk management, particularly focusing on the security of ICT third-party providers. The requirement for regular testing of ICT business continuity plans, as stipulated in Article 11(6), indirectly highlights the need for frequent recertification of firewall rules. Organizations must document and test their plans at least once a year, ensuring that security measures, including firewalls, are up-to-date and effective against current threats. Backup, Restoration, and Recovery- Article 12 outlines the procedures for backup, restoration, and recovery, necessitating that these processes are tested periodically. Entities must ensure that their backup and recovery systems are segregated and effective, further supporting the requirement for regular recertification of security measures like firewalls to protect backup systems against cyber threats. Crisis Communication Plans- Article 14 details the obligations regarding communication during incidents, emphasizing that organizations must have plans in place to manage and communicate risks related to the security of their networks. This includes ensuring that firewall configurations are current and aligned with incident response protocols, necessitating regular reviews and recertifications to adapt to new threats and changes in the operational environment. In summary, firewall rule recertification supports the broader DORA requirements for maintaining ICT security, managing risks, and ensuring network resilience through regular oversight and updates of critical security configurations. How AlgoSec helps meet regulatory requirements AlgoSec provides the tools, intelligence, and automation necessary to help organizations comply with DORA and other regulatory requirements while streamlining ongoing risk management and security operations. Here’s how: 1. Comprehensive network visibility AlgoSec offers full visibility into your network, including detailed insights into the application connectivity that each firewall rule supports. This application-centric approach allows you to easily identify security gaps or vulnerabilities that could lead to non-compliance. With AlgoSec, you can maintain continuous alignment with regulatory requirements like DORA by ensuring every firewall rule is tied to an active, relevant application. This helps ensure compliance with DORA's ICT risk management framework, including continuous identification and management of security policies (Article 6). Benefit : With this deep visibility, you remain audit-ready with minimal effort, eliminating manual tracking of firewall rules and reducing the risk of errors. 2. Automated risk and compliance reports AlgoSec automates compliance checks across multiple regulations, continuously analyzing your security policies for misconfigurations or risks that may violate regulatory requirements. This includes automated recertification of firewall rules, ensuring your organization stays compliant with frameworks like DORA's ICT Risk Management (Article 6). Benefit : AlgoSec saves your team significant time and reduces the likelihood of costly mistakes, while automatically generating audit-ready reports that simplify your compliance efforts. 3. Incident reporting and response DORA mandates rapid detection, reporting, and recovery during incidents. AlgoSec’s intelligent platform enhances incident detection and response by automatically identifying firewall rules that may be outdated or insecure and aligning security policies with incident response protocols. This helps ensure compliance with DORA's Detection Solutions (Article 10) and Crisis Communication Plans (Article 14). Benefit : By accelerating response times and ensuring up-to-date firewall configurations, AlgoSec helps you meet reporting deadlines and mitigate breaches before they escalate. 4. Firewall policy management AlgoSec simplifies firewall management by taking an application-centric approach to recertifying firewall rules. Instead of manually reviewing outdated rules, AlgoSec ties each firewall rule to the specific application it serves, allowing for quick identification of redundant or risky rules. This ensures compliance with DORA’s requirement for regular rule recertification in both ICT risk management and continuity planning (Articles 6 and 11). Benefit : Continuous optimization of security policies ensures that only necessary and secure rules are in place, reducing network risk and maintaining compliance. 5. Managing third-party risk DORA emphasizes the need to oversee third-party ICT providers as part of a broader risk management framework. AlgoSec integrates seamlessly with other security tools, providing unified visibility into third-party risks across your hybrid environment. With its automated recertification processes, AlgoSec ensures that security policies governing third-party access are regularly reviewed and aligned with business needs. Benefit : This proactive management of third-party risks helps prevent potential breaches and ensures compliance with DORA’s ICT Business Continuity requirements (Article 11). 6. Backup, Restoration, and Recovery AlgoSec helps secure backup and recovery systems by recertifying firewall rules that protect critical assets and applications. DORA’s Backup, Restoration, and Recovery (Article 12) requirements emphasize that security controls must be periodically tested. AlgoSec automates these tests, ensuring your firewall rules support secure, segregated backup systems. Benefit : Automated recertification prevents outdated or insecure rules from jeopardizing your backup processes, ensuring you meet regulatory demands. Stay ahead of compliance with AlgoSec Meeting evolving regulations like DORA requires more than a one-time adjustment—it demands a dynamic, proactive approach to security and compliance. AlgoSec’s application-centric platform is designed to evolve with your business, continuously aligning firewall rules with active applications and automating the process of policy recertification and compliance reporting. By automating key processes such as risk assessments, firewall rule management, and policy recertification, AlgoSec ensures that your organization is always prepared for audits. Continuous monitoring and real-time alerts keep your security posture compliant with DORA and other regulations, while automated reports simplify audit preparation—minimizing the time spent on compliance and reducing human error. With AlgoSec, businesses not only meet compliance regulations but also enhance operational efficiency, improve security, and maintain alignment with global standards. As DORA and other regulatory frameworks evolve, AlgoSec helps you ensure that compliance is an integral, seamless part of your operations. Read our latest whitepaper and watch a short video to learn more about our application-centric approach to firewall rule recertification Schedule a demo Related Articles Navigating Compliance in the Cloud AlgoSec Cloud Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read 5 Multi-Cloud Environments Cloud Security Mar 19, 2023 · 2 min read Convergence didn’t fail, compliance did. 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* country* Select country... Short answer* By submitting this form, I accept AlgoSec's privacy policy Schedule a call