COVID-19 Update: MSEDP is operational and committed to responding to the needs of our customers.
COVID-19 Update: MSEDP is operational and committed to responding to the needs of our customers.
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To get the most out of anything, utilizing the best practices is always a recommended option and that is also the case when it comes to using network security monitoring tools. Getting maximum visibility of a network is important for any business and the tools MSEDP gives clients with their network security monitoring and full IT services ensures all networks and data are protected. The staff at MSEDP is knowledgeable and knows how to get the most out of network security monitoring. We follow the best practices for network security monitoring in order to best protect your network and data. The main purpose of these best practices is to cover all bases and make sure you are fully protected at all times. Let's learn more about these best practices and how to apply them.
Properly evaluating the network performance is an important step that needs to be taken before the full implementation of a network security monitoring solution. This is because the network security monitoring solution may have significant overhead on the network, since it is polling logs from hundreds of data sources within the network. If the network parameters are not considered, then deploying a network security monitoring solution may backfire, which results in further traffic congestion.
In order to have secure infrastructure devices, it is important to deploy anti-virus and intrusion detection at both the host and network levels. You want security and protection from every protection, leaving no avenue for risks. Having a combination of multiple security solutions can protect you and your network on multiple fronts and provide a more comprehensive insight into the network. You don't want to put all of your eggs in one basket in case trouble arise, so covering all bases ensures a well-rounded protection.
Logs are, of course, a very useful tool to analyze incoming and outgoing traffic and data. However, if these logs fall into the wrong hands, then it can provide the same advantages to the cyber thief. Attackers can figure out how many critical endpoints and servers exists on the network and what applications are running on those servers. Allowing for a better understanding of the network and how to infiltrate it. So, it is crucial that the logs are stored in a secure place that is protected from outside communication. The data log servers need to be reinforced with the best practice implementation of access controls and password policies.
As you managed service provider, we recommend keeping relevant endpoints and servers within different virtual network zones. This way the traffic between the zones is restricted and only authorized communication is allowed. So, it is important that network security monitoring tools poll logs and network traffic separately for each zone in order to improve the speed and efficiency of analysis.
When it comes to complete network security monitoring, enabling audit logs is a delicate process and one that needs to be applied with expertise. If enabled blindly and without much reason or direction, then the audit logs can create a lot of noise and confusion. And if the auditing logs are not enabled at all, there is no point in security monitoring, since the audit log contains sensitive information related to reading and writing operations.
When applying properly, the IT team needs to figure out what kind of audit logs are important and need to be enabled for the network. They also have to figure out what audit logs are of lower severity and will only create noise during security analysis. This sort of optimization is necessary to ensure efficient network security monitoring. Learn more about auditing and SIEM log management. When you turn to MSEDP for log management, you will have a staff of dedicated IT pros on the job!
It is common for an IT team to monitor only well-known ports and services for potential security breaches to reduce their monitoring surface and optimize their analysis process. However, this is not the safest way to apply network security monitoring and smart attackers will find ways in and leverage this simple behavior by simply opening up remote shells on unpopular ports to safely evade the security monitoring process. Due to this risk, all ports and protocols should be monitored to ensure that no vulnerable services are left unchecked. And no command-and-control server traffic is left unmonitored.
Your network security is no laughing matter and needs to be taken seriously. Otherwise, you are leaving yourself at risk for dangerous attacks and hacks. With MSEDP's network security monitoring services, you get monitoring 24/7, which results in quick and decisive action taken against any suspicious activity. Get in touch with MSEDP today to learn more about how we can be the managed service provider for you.
We are located in Deer Park, New York and work with companies from across the United States. We are a full-service IT team that provides web clients with a wide range of IT services, including disaster recovery, data protection, and cyber security. Get everything you need in terms of IT services at a budget you can afford.
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