Best Practices for Network Security
-
As part of the “Best Practices” series by Uplatz
Welcome to the defense-centric edition of the Uplatz Best Practices series — where your first line of cyber defense begins with the network.
Today’s spotlight: Network Security — the critical layer protecting your systems, users, and data from evolving threats.
🔐 What is Network Security?
Network Security is the practice of protecting an organization’s network infrastructure from unauthorized access, misuse, modification, or destruction.
It includes:
- Firewalls
- Intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS)
- VPNs
- Zero Trust controls
- Network segmentation
- Traffic monitoring and encryption
✅ Best Practices for Network Security
Modern threats require modern defense. Here’s how to keep your network resilient, secure, and zero-trust ready:
1. Adopt a Defense-in-Depth Strategy
🧱 Layer Security Across Devices, Networks, Apps, and Users
🔁 Combine Firewalls, Endpoint Protection, and Behavioral Analytics
🛡️ Avoid Relying on a Single Control
2. Implement Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
🔐 “Never Trust, Always Verify” — No Default Access
🧍 Authenticate and Authorize Every Connection
🌐 Use Identity-Aware Proxies, MFA, and Micro-Segmentation
3. Enforce Network Segmentation
🗂️ Separate Internal Assets Based on Function or Sensitivity
🚪 Limit Lateral Movement With VLANs or Software-Defined Segmentation
📈 Improve Visibility and Containment in Case of Breaches
4. Use Strong Perimeter Defenses
🔥 Deploy Next-Gen Firewalls With DPI (Deep Packet Inspection)
🛑 Block Inbound Traffic From Untrusted IPs or Countries
🔗 Restrict Open Ports and Services
5. Encrypt Data In Transit
🔒 Use TLS for All Internal and External Communications
🛰️ Secure VPNs and IPSec Tunnels for Remote Access
📡 Apply HTTPS Everywhere — Even Internally
6. Deploy Network Monitoring & Intrusion Detection
👁️ Use Tools Like Snort, Zeek, or Suricata
📊 Monitor for Anomalous Behavior (DNS Tunneling, Beaconing, etc.)
📢 Integrate Alerts With SIEMs for Centralized Response
7. Regularly Patch and Update Network Devices
🔄 Keep Routers, Switches, Firewalls, and Load Balancers Updated
📅 Schedule Routine Firmware Patching
🚫 Decommission End-of-Life Devices Immediately
8. Control Remote Access Strictly
🔐 Use Secure VPNs With MFA
📲 Enforce Device Trust Before Granting Access
🕵️ Log All Remote Sessions for Auditing
9. Conduct Regular Penetration Tests and Audits
🧪 Simulate Real Attacks on Network Perimeters and Internal Paths
🛠️ Fix Vulnerabilities Before Attackers Find Them
📁 Audit Configuration Files and Access Logs Routinely
10. Establish an Incident Response Plan
🚨 Define Protocols for Breaches, Ransomware, and DDoS Attacks
📞 Include Escalation Paths and Communication Templates
📦 Run Tabletop Drills With Cross-Functional Teams
💡 Bonus Tip by Uplatz
A secure network is not just about firewalls — it’s about visibility, segmentation, trust boundaries, and response readiness.
Design your network like it’s already compromised — and build controls to contain, not just detect.
🔁 Follow Uplatz to get more best practices in upcoming posts:
- Zero Trust Architecture Design
- Cloud Network Security (VPC, NSGs, Security Groups)
- Network Security for Hybrid/Remote Teams
- DNS Security and Egress Control
- Insider Threat Mitigation in Modern Networks
…and more on securing infrastructure in today’s multi-cloud, perimeter-less world.