Network Segmentation: An Essential Tool to Create a Secured Enterprise Network

Network segmentation, as the name suggests, is an approach that divides the network into multiple segments or subnets. This allows network administrators to control traffic flow between the network segments, boost performance and improve monitoring capabilities. As a result, network administrators can create a secure enterprise network by preventing unauthorized access and localizing technical issues.

The Definition of Network Segmentation

The characteristics of traditional networks are:

They generally have an impenetrable outer shell that separates the outside world from the internal enterprise network.
They assume that individuals within the network can be trusted.
They deploy little to no restrictions on the inside network, so if attackers can break in from the outer shell, they can access everything in the internal enterprise network.

However, with recent high-profile insider breaches coming up to the surface too often, there is a need to harden internal networks. This gives rise to the architectural concept of network segmentation.

How Network Segmentation Works

Inside a wider network, network segmentation establishes distinct, separated segments, each with its own set of security standards and policies. Segments or endpoint categories with the same level of trust are stored in these segments.

Perimeter-Based Network Segmentation

Within and external segments are created via perimeter-based segmentation based on trust: what is inside of the network segment can be trusted, while anything external is not. As a result, internal resources have little constraints, as they typically operate across a flat network having minimal internal network segmentation. Segmentation and filtering take place at predetermined network nodes.

Network Virtualization

Many businesses now have many network zones with particular tasks that necessitate segmentation at multiple network points. Furthermore, the network’s endpoints have expanded to include a variety of endpoint kinds, each with differing levels of trust.

As a result, segmentation based on the perimeter is not good enough anymore. With the introduction of cloud technologies, BYOD, and mobile, the perimeter has become increasingly hazy, with no clear demarcation lines. To get greater security and network performance, we now need additional segmentation, further into the network. Furthermore, today’s east–west traffic patterns necessitate even greater network segmentation. Network virtualization comes into play here, since it takes segmentation to another level.

VLANs were first designed to separate broadcast domains and increase network performance. VLANs evolved into a security mechanism over time, although that was never the intention. The issue with VLANs is that there is no intra-VLAN filtering, and thus have extremely broad access.

Network Segmentation Features

Network segmentation has the following features and characteristics:

Network segmentation deploys a zero-trust policy. The zero-trust policy assumes that nobody is trustworthy by default, even if they are within the internal enterprise network.
Network segmentation policies create a second line of defense and harden security.
Only authorized users can access the network segments while others are barred by default.
Segments can be a part of a network security zone where a common set of security policies are applied.

Network segmentation is an essential tool that creates a secure enterprise network by limiting the possibility of attackers accessing internal data after simply bypassing the outer perimeter.

Use Cases for Network Segmentation

Network segmentation has the following important use cases in the business and security domains:

Compliance: Organizations need to comply with regulatory laws and standards like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) for carrying out businesses. Network segmentation helps achieve that with ease by proving that sensitive data is handled securely and that adequate monitoring for sensitive data is in place.

Workforce mobility: You can create network segments with Virtual Private Network (VPN) clients enabled to allow employees to work from home. This helps create a secure mobile workforce and improve employee productivity.

Isolation of IoT devices: The security of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is as critical as other organizational data. Hence, you can use network segmentation to allow IoT devices like closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to share information only within their own network.

Guest networks: You can use network segmentation to create protected guest networks and manage guest activities in real-time.

Employees: You can create network segments for your employees with their own set of rules policies, filters and limitations.

Benefits of Network Segmentation

There are many benefits of network segmentation. One of the undeniable benefits of network segmentation is improved security. Network segmentation isolates systems and applications from each other. It creates a network filter that limits access between network segments and enhances security.

Network segmentation means better network containment that slows down attackers. When attackers breach one segment, they cannot access all the other segments too. They need some time to break through the policies, filters, firewalls and barriers in place before each segment, slowing the assailants down. It is safe to state that the damage from successful attacks is reduced, as it takes time to propagate the attacks to other segments.

Not only are attacks less damaging, but also you can detect them more easily with the improved monitoring that network segmentation provides. Network segmentation allows you to enhance logging, monitor events and connections and detect suspicious behavior. With this, you can notice patterns of malicious activity and make proper adjustments to prevent possible breaches.

Network segmentation improves performance. You create fewer hosts per segment, minimizing local traffic. You can isolate broadcast traffic to a local subnet, which saves both time and money spent trying to locate malicious incidents.

Administrators can improve access control capabilities and implement the principle of least privilege policy (PoLP) with ease. This refers to when a user is given the minimum levels of access needed to perform job functions. Network segmentation allows better access control over your network by allowing users to access only specific network resources and preventing accidental access. With organizations adopting the least privilege policy quickly, network segmentation falls right on track. Segmented networks restrict access to critical information, reinforcing the least privilege policy.

Parallels RAS Deployment Model: Flexible and Secure

Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS) is a tool that allows you to deliver applications and desktops to any device, at any location. It is a simple and flexible solution that can be deployed seamlessly to fit into any network configuration. It offers flexible cloud deployment models, mix-and-match Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH), virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), Windows Virtual Desktop and hyper-converged systems.

If you prefer to control your datacenter directly, you can choose an on-premises deployment model or choose to adopt a combination of the public and private cloud—a hybrid deployment model.

Network segmentation is the next step when it comes to improving organizational security. Combine that with the flexibility and security of the Parallels RAS deployment model, and you can reap its benefits.

Parallels RAS reinforces security by enabling multifactor and multilevel authentication, offering:

Smart card authentication
Usage of kiosk mode
Protocol encryption
Advanced granular filtering
Segregating data in multi-tenancy environments
Clipboard restrictions
Client policies
Single sign-on technology based on Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML)

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