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    • Micro-segmentation Challenges

    Micro-segmentation presents a viable solution to flawed network security policies, yet there can often be challenges when trying to properly implement it at some organizations. Many businesses may find it hard to manage this new method of security, including requiring properly trained staff members for setup as well as the willingness to create virtual firewalls among multiple existing servers.

    But the need for Micro-segmentation is increasingly prevalent in today’s world, which relies heavily on computerization and automation. This rise in technology has also resulted in smarter and more devious cybercriminals who can hack their way into nearly any server or data center, proven by the many security breaches that have occurred with credit cards and major companies around the world.

    There are other challenges to utilizing the micro-segmentation method that may affect some network securities. These include setup processes and program management such as:

    • ♦   The ability for servers to handle a hybrid cloud environment
    • ♦   Not taking the time to properly map the existing application flows
    • ♦   Failing to have a firewall policy before beginning the process of micro-segmentation
    • ♦  Not resetting the virtual firewalls over time, which helps adapt to changing technologies and increases security

    By utilizing AlgoSec’s micro-segmentation method of network security, businesses can immediately feel safer against possible hackers and potential data breaches. But there are always obstacles when installing new systems on existing servers, whether it’s evolving the firewalls already in place to accept the micro-segmented data center or navigating possible network segmentation pitfalls. Our team can work with you to ensure these challenges are met and handled with ease so that your security can improve and your data will be confidently protected.

    FAQ

    Micro-segmentation Questions and Answers

    How do you make firewall policies effective?

    As the first line of defense for your data, firewalls handle huge amounts of traffic for your business every day of the year. This makes it vital to protect your data center – and your customer’s valuable personal data – with firewall policies that work effectively and efficiently. Micro-segmentation is an ideal way to install security policies that help de-clutter your firewalls and create a more secure hybrid cloud environment that keeps your traffic safer and blocks potential breaches from corrupting the servers.

    How does AlgoSec’s Micro-segmentation help security?

    Micro-segmentation allows an organization to increase the level of security while keeping their business network requirements. In theory, Micro-segmentation allows communication only for communications that are needed for business. All other communications are blocked. This method increases the difficulty for cyber hackers to harm the organization.

    What is the ideal firewall setting when introducing Micro-segmentation software?

    When planning to utilize the Micro-segmentation method, the default setting should be moved to “Allow all”. This ensures the hybrid cloud environment can easily be installed, as the setting works by not blocking legitimate traffic and possibly breaking the connectivity to existing applications. Over time, in order for the virtual firewalls to keep filtering and blocking harmful traffic from invading the servers, the default settings will need to be replaced with bespoke rules.

    How can Micro-segmentation change firewall management for the better?

    If your firewalls are not managed correctly, this could present a huge risk to your business and valuable data. Outdated rules can lead to attacks against your servers and possibly break important business applications that are vital to your operations. By migrating to virtual firewalls through Micro-segmentation, your security policies will be solidified and well protected against cybercriminals, halting unauthorized movement and increasing the positive connections between your servers.

    Is firewall automation required to properly implement Micro-segmentation?

    Managing firewalls manually can be not only a time-consuming task but also costly due to the need for trained IT staff members and the possible installation of software and also extra hardware. But by automating the firewalls on your server environments and devices, you may begin micro-segmentation, which creates a virtual firewall on every one of your servers. Depending on the number of servers at your organization, manual upkeep will create an overuse of resources that can be used more valuably somewhere else.

    How does network segmentation keep security policies validated?

    AlgoSec unitizes a network segmentation method of security that ensures all of your firewalls are connected and working together to protect critical data. By creating multiple firewalls through Micro-segmentation, lateral movement across servers such as cyber attacks will be limited, but without blocking any services critical to your business operation. This, in turn, keeps your security policies clean and consistent across the complete data center.

    Why is it important to discover the network communications?

    Before creating a new risk policy in your network it is important to understand what applications are running within the organization. After running sniffing technologies, the security team can better understand the required communications for your organization. Later the security zones will be defined in a way which is optimal for ensuring that these communications and not blocked by firewall rules.

    Resources

    See how AlgoSec can help the Micro-segmentation process through educational and informative resources.

    Webinar

    Create & Manage a Micro-Segmented Data Center – Best Practices

    Whiteboard Video

    Data Center Segmentation Best Practices

    In this lesson, Prof. Wool provides recommendations for how to design your network for optimal segmentation in two typical scenarios: allowing traffic from an external partner into the data center, and structuring network traffic flows within the data center.

    Whiteboard Video

    How to Define, Simplify and Enforce Network Segmentation and Security Zoning

    In this lesson, Prof. Wool presents a simple matrix for defining network segments, and the traffic allowed to and from each zone. This matrix is helpful for assessing firewall change requests and validating the correct implementation of existing security policies

    Webinar

    Segmenting your Network for Security

    Additional Features

    AlgoSec's Cloud Network Security Solution

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    Virtual Firewalls

    Unlike hardware-based firewalls, micro-segmentation creates a virtual network that protects your data from harmful attacks and invasive server breaches

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    Discovery

    Network discovery allows security managers to learn which communications are running in their network, usually software applications. Best practice recommends keeping servers of each application in the same security zone

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    Lateral Control

    Micro-segmentation allows greater east-west communication between servers, bypassing perimeter-based security tools and reducing lateral exploration of your data by cyber hackers

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    Customized Security Settings

    Tailor security policies according to the different types of traffic in your servers, controlling the network and application flows flawlessly and easily

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    Hybrid Cloud Environment Management

    Automatically migrates application connectivity and provides a unified security policy through easy-to-use workflows, risk assessment, and security policy management

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    Increased Visibility

    The Micro-segmentation method offers a high level of virtual firewalling on every host server, providing increased visibility across on-site and cloud environments

    Solving the Cloud Network Security Concerns

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    Hybrid Cloud

    Micro-segmentation creates successful security policies without requiring hardware-based firewalls

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    Solving Complexity with Automation

    By using advanced automation, security managers are able to perform maintenance and changes in a Micro-segmented environment without expanding the workforce

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    Filter and Block Server Traffic

    The micro-segmented virtual environment helps safeguard the data centers and zones that are your main assets

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    Cloud-defined Networking

    Software-only Micro-segmentation makes your servers secure without having to install costly replacement and upgraded parts

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    Application Discovery

    Using the AlgoSec application allows security managers to identify communications and applications in their network. These applications are taken into consideration when defining the zones

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    Intelligent Deployment

    Easily define and adopt new security policies without disrupting business applications and productivity

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    Automatic Tagging

    The Micro-segmentation method tags every security policy rule on your devices and platforms to support a specific business application

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    Visualized Data Center

    Works to allow server access only to those you want to authorize as it blocks unauthorized access such as external hackers and probes

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    Protects Legacy Firewalls

    Micro-segmentation implementation smoothly and easily allows visibility and communication between traditional firewalls and host-based firewalls

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    Internally Segmented Networks

    Hackers and breaches are halted before they can move freely inside the network and steal valuable data