As businesses grow, linking branch offices with headquarters in one larger network becomes necessary. However, traditional WAN technology has several limitations, especially regarding reliability and speed. SD-WAN addresses these issues, making it an increasingly popular WAN option.

What problems does SD-WAN solve?

Knowing the challenges SD-WAN solves will help you understand how it can function in your organization. These solutions include improving network connection quality, reducing network downtime, and lowering infrastructure expenditures.

Quality of network connections

A standard WAN connection often sees high latency and packet loss, particularly as you move away from large metro areas with more plentiful bandwidth. Adding backup or secondary WAN links doesn’t help much when latency becomes an issue.

So how do you fix it?

SD-WAN can solve these problems by applying various techniques to relieve congestion on your network without requiring an overhaul of your existing infrastructure. For example, if latency issues affect your users on a particular link, SD-WAN could temporarily shift traffic to another link with less traffic. If one of your links goes down completely, SD-WAN could automatically reroute traffic through another link until repairs are made.

Network downtime

Network downtime is a period when your network system is inaccessible. There is both planned and unplanned network downtime. In this case, we are focused on the unplanned network downtime.

ITIC’s hourly cost of downtime survey revealed that 98% of respondents say a single hour of downtime costs over $100,000, and 81% of organizations indicated that the same period costs their business over $300,000.

SD-WAN prevents interruptions and outages by making application failover seamless and straightforward. SD-WAN offers automated failover capabilities, so traffic will immediately be routed through a secondary link (without human intervention) if your primary connection fails. This automation frees IT staff to focus on other projects rather than being tied up monitoring their networks 24/7.

High network infrastructure costs

Managing multiple hardware-based routers, firewalls, and other networking devices across various locations incurs high costs and requires specialized IT expertise. With SD-WAN, organizations can significantly reduce bandwidth costs, and since SD-WAN is software-based, there’s no need for expensive hardware.

How SD-WAN works

Traditional WAN services use Layer 2 and 3 virtual private networks (VPNs) to direct traffic to an internet gateway. SD-WAN uses centralized control to securely direct WAN traffic to SaaS and IaaS providers.

Unlike traditional routers that simply route packets from one location to another, SD-WAN uses a cloud service with intelligence built into it. The service monitors network conditions across all your branch sites to route traffic through optimal connections. The service will then dynamically route data between available networks.

This means that network failures or congestion can be handled quickly with minimal impact on your organization’s productivity.

SD-WAN intelligently routes network traffic based on policies and conditions defined by administrators. It can determine the best path for specific types of traffic, such as critical business applications or real-time communication, to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

SD-WAN leverages any combination of transport services — including MPLS, LTE, and broadband internet services — to dynamically select the most appropriate link for each application or traffic flow. This ensures efficient use of available bandwidth and improves the overall network performance.

SD-WAN vs. traditional WAN

Traditional WANs are expensive, inflexible, and difficult to manage. They require specialized skill sets for configuration, monitoring, troubleshooting, etc. These challenges are compounded when you have remote sites that need access to your corporate network.

And because traditional WAN solutions lack visibility into application performance, they’re not well suited for applications with strict quality of service (QoS) requirements.

By contrast, SD-WAN provides a more straightforward, cost-effective way to connect branch offices with headquarters. SD-WAN can improve security by offering built-in DDoS protection and end-to-end encryption for secure communications between sites.

Plus, it allows organizations to dynamically steer traffic based on application needs — ensuring that critical business data isn’t impacted by noncritical activity.

SD-WAN architecture

SD-WAN is a software layer that sits between an enterprise’s existing branch routers and its cloud provider, usually functioning as connective tissue between two disparate networks. The technology allows companies to connect multiple branches with various types of links or internet service providers (ISPs), creating a unified network no matter how many locations are involved.

To do so, it must automatically determine where data should be sent for optimal performance. This means that even if a user accesses their company’s VPN from home over their ISP connection, all of their traffic will be routed through whichever link provides optimal speed at any given time.

This makes it possible to create one cohesive virtualized network across all sites rather than managing each location separately.

5 features of SD-WAN

SD-WAN provides increased flexibility by letting you optimize various features and traffic flows, with or without IT intervention. At their core, SD-WAN solutions are built to work on your existing infrastructure while allowing you to scale as needed.

Support for multi-protocol label switching

Also known as MPLS, multi-protocol label switching provides greater control over a business’s WAN because it lets you change from one protocol to another based on what works best at any given time. For example, MPLS gives companies more freedom when setting up their WANs because they can easily adjust how they move data from one location to another, depending on current needs.

Self-optimization

Because SD-WAN lets you take advantage of real-time monitoring and analytics, there’s no need to hire additional staff members to keep an eye on things. That means that even if you don’t have dedicated IT support, there will still be people around who know how to use your network efficiently — because SD-WAN does all that heavy lifting for them.

Real-time traffic shaping

SD-WAN provides real-time traffic-shaping capabilities, allowing businesses to prioritize different kinds of data. In addition to prioritizing certain types of data, companies can block unwanted content, such as malware and phishing attacks, before reaching end users.

Visibility into applications

With complete visibility into applications within your organization, you’ll be able to see precisely where bottlenecks exist so that you can solve them quickly and easily without sacrificing performance. This insight benefits companies that rely heavily on bandwidth-heavy applications like videoconferencing, VoIP calls, and other cloud services.

Cloud connectivity

Businesses can save money and increase efficiency by connecting to several cloud platforms. If a company relies heavily on public clouds for backup purposes, having access to several providers makes it easier to ensure backups run smoothly.

Top 3 benefits of SD-WAN

SD-WAN helps businesses connect their locations remotely with more bandwidth, lower latency, and greater security than traditional networks that rely on hardware for processing power. Below are some additional benefits of SD-WAN.

Reduced OpEx

Moving to SD-WAN can significantly reduce your annual operating expenditure (OpEx) because you don’t need to invest in expensive hardware anymore — not to mention data center space, equipment maintenance, etc. Your software only requires a license fee and support, which is much cheaper than buying new networking equipment every few years.

Improved network performance

When using internet mode, if one link fails, all traffic goes down until another path is found. On the other hand, MPLS provides multi-path routing that enables automatic failover in case one link fails. So even if one link goes down due to failure, other links will still work, thus ensuring continuous connectivity.

Better reliability

SD-WAN can detect and respond to network problems faster and more efficiently than a human operator. It does so by continuously monitoring network health, performance, and availability.

SD-WAN detects any disruption in the network, and it responds accordingly. For example, if one link goes down due to failure, SD-WAN immediately reroutes traffic through other available paths without manual intervention. This ensures your data always reaches its destination without any loss or delay.

SD-WAN use cases

An SD-WAN service helps enterprises maximize productivity by creating resilient WAN networks that enhance application performance in uncertain or unreliable circumstances. This is achieved through intelligent path selection based on dynamic criteria such as cost, latency, bandwidth, jitter, and packet loss. This results in a highly reliable network with minimal downtime for critical applications.

With that in mind, common SD-WAN use cases could include:

• Application performance optimization: An SD-WAN solution can help you optimize your application performance across your entire network so that no matter where your employees are located, they have fast access to all company resources.
• Visibility into network operations and traffic: SD-WAN provides administrators with a bird’s-eye view of the network so they can quickly pinpoint issues in the network and take immediate steps toward resolution.
• Centralized management and control: SD-WAN solutions typically offer centralized management and control, providing a unified view of the entire network, including both branch offices and cloud resources.
• Multi-cloud access: Connect branches and a hybrid workforce to multi-cloud applications easily with unified visibility and management.
• Improved WAN resiliency, availability, and capacity: This is achieved through intelligent path selection based on dynamic criteria such as cost, latency, bandwidth, jitter, and packet loss.

Is SD-WAN secure?

The short answer is, “yes, but.”

While SD-WAN offers many productivity-related benefits, including optimized performance, network reliability, flexibility, and cost reduction, if not implemented properly it may actually expose you to greater security risks.

When using SD-WAN, traffic flows directly from branch locations to the public internet, which means the traffic bypasses traditional security measures. This could leave the network vulnerable to external threats.

Nonetheless, SD-WAN can be secure, but the level of security depends on various factors, including the specific implementation, configuration, and security measures put in place. Many organizations even consider SD-WAN to enhance their network security as it provides several security features and benefits such as encryption, firewalls, segmentation, and centralized security management.

SD-WAN deployment types

Enterprises can choose to deploy SD-WAN using one of three available models: managed, DIY, or hybrid.

Managed

In this model, companies outsource all their SD-WAN needs to a managed service provider (MSP). The service provider is responsible for configuring, monitoring, and maintaining the SD-WAN network on behalf of the enterprise.

This model offers convenience and reduces the burden on IT staff, allowing them to focus on other priorities. However, it may limit the level of control and customization available to the enterprise.

Do-it-yourself (DIY)

The DIY model gives enterprises complete ownership of deploying and managing their SD-WAN solution.

An organization acquires the necessary SD-WAN resources directly from a vendor and maintains the network in-house. The in-house IT team is responsible for maintaining the company’s own SD-WAN equipment, connections and software.

A DIY approach provides the highest level of control and customization but requires significant expertise and resources from the enterprise. Large enterprises looking for full network controls may find this deployment model appealing, but it may be out of reach for most small businesses.

Hybrid

The hybrid deployment model combines elements of both DIY and managed approaches. The enterprise retains some control over some aspects of the SD-WAN implementation while leveraging the expertise and support of an MSP. The service provider may handle certain parts of the deployment and management while the enterprise controls specific functions or policies.

Top 3 SD-WAN vendors

Though the SD-WAN providers offer extensive functionalities and security capabilities, they may not be the best for every business. If the three providers below do not meet your needs, we reviewed the best SD-WAN vendors to help you determine the best solution for your company.

Cisco

Cisco offers a cloud-based SD-WAN overlay fabric that allows enterprises to connect data centers, branches, campuses, and colocation facilities to improve network performance. Managed through the Cisco vManage console, the solution separates data and control planes to provide centralized management and control.

Cisco SD-WAN key features include:

• Advanced multi-cloud and SaaS, analytics, and visibility.
• Web content filtering.
• Advanced SD-WAN Layer 2 and Layer 3 routing — general.
• SD-WAN Layer 2 and Layer 3 Multicast routing — IPv4.

Aryaka

Aryaka is a managed SD-WAN service provider. Their SD-WAN service is built on a high-performance global FlexCore network, giving organizations a robust and flexible Network-as-a-Service to connect sites, users, and cloud workloads, regardless of location.

Aryaka SD-WAN key capabilities include:

• Availability with up to 99.999% uptime.
• White-glove and co-management options.
• MPLS interworking and hybrid WAN.

Juniper Networks

Juniper Networks SD-WAN leverages AI and the Juniper Mist Cloud Architecture to provide an intelligent and automated SD-WAN solution. Their solution integrates with Juniper’s Mist AI-driven networking platform to provide end-to-end visibility and control. Juniper’s SD-WAN solution offers key features such as zero-touch provisioning (ZTP), centralized management, and advanced analytics for monitoring and troubleshooting.

Juniper Networks key features include:

• Fast deployment with automated templating tools and ZTP.
• Branch-office communications with cloud-managed routing, switching, Wi-Fi, and security. 
• Delivers AI-based insights and automates troubleshooting.

Bottom line: SD-WAN improves network performance with proper planning

SD-WAN is beneficial to organizations looking to improve their network performance and reduce costs. Businesses that are considering implementing this technology should carefully evaluate their specific needs and consider SD-WAN challenges.

Like any technology, while SD-WAN can provide organizational advantages such as increased bandwidth, improved network security, and centralized management, it also requires proper planning, deployment, and monitoring to succeed.

If you’re considering implementing SD-WAN, make sure you check out our complete guide to the best SD-WAN providers — and how to choose between them.

The post What Is SD-WAN? Definition, Benefits, and Uses appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

This guide compares SASE to VPN to explain their differences, which one is best for different use cases, and how to decide which one to select for your own needs.

• Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN is a service that encrypts a device’s connection to the internet and hides browsing and traffic data from other network devices.
• Secure Access Service Edge (SASE): SASE is a framework that combines network and security as service capabilities and cloud native security functions to provide secure access to network resources from anywhere.

How SASE is different from a VPN

While both remote access solutions aim to achieve the same thing, SASE offers a more modern and versatile approach to network and security, making it a strong choice for organizations adapting to the evolving IT landscape. VPNs remain relevant but are better suited for more traditional networking needs.

What is a virtual private network (VPN)?

A VPN is a service that protects your internet connection and gives you anonymity over the internet. VPNs encrypt your internet traffic to ensure that sensitive data is not transmitted over a less secure network such as the internet, and it disguises your online identity, making it difficult for third parties to track your activities online. With a VPN, you can also access resources that might be restricted based on your location.

VPNs provide an extra layer of security when you’re using public Wi-Fi networks, as they prevent anyone on the same network from seeing what a VPN user is doing. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) gather a large amount of data about their users’ online activities, and VPNs enhance your privacy by preventing your ISP from monitoring your online activities.

How VPNs work

A VPN reroutes your traffic through a remote server, encrypting it in the process. Here is how you normally access resources online without a VPN connection — when you try to access a website, your ISP receives the request and redirects you to your destination. However, when you connect to a VPN,  your traffic is first sent to the VPN server before reaching its final destination.

When you use a VPN, your data is encrypted before it leaves your device and is then decrypted by the VPN server. This encryption is masked behind a virtual IP address, allowing you to hide your identity and location.

Pros and cons of VPNs

Who should use a VPN?

VPNs are commonly used for various purposes, including security, privacy, remote access and bypassing restrictions. It is ideal for those looking for a safe way to browse the internet without losing their data to malicious actors. While VPNs can be useful to all internet users, the following categories of individuals may find it even more beneficial:

• Remote workers: If you work from home, you can use a VPN to securely connect to your company’s network.
• Privacy-conscious individuals: Those looking to keep their online activities private from ISPs, government surveillance, or potential hackers can use a VPN to encrypt their data and mask their IP address.
• Torrent and file share: Those who engage in peer-to-peer file sharing can protect their IP address and maintain anonymity while downloading or uploading files using a VPN.
• Accessing geo-restricted content: A VPN can help you bypass geo-restrictions, giving you access to content blocked or restricted in your region. Journalists and activists who work in areas where freedom of speech and online censorship are concerns can also use a VPN to bypass government restrictions and access restricted content.

What is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)?

Secure Access Service Edge, or SASE (pronounced “sassy”), is a network architecture that converges various networking and security technologies such as secure web gateways (SWG), cloud access security brokers (CASB), firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS), secure branch connectivity, and software-defined WAN (SD-WAN). 

Gartner first described this cybersecurity concept in their 2019 report “The Future of Network Security in the Cloud” and has since gained widespread adoption with various network and cloud security vendors selling SASE solutions as a service.

According to Gartner, “SASE capabilities are delivered as a service based upon the identity of the entity, real-time context, enterprise security/compliance policies and continuous assessment of risk/trust throughout the sessions. Identities of entities can be associated with people, groups of people (branch offices), devices, applications, services, IoT systems or edge computing locations.”

How SASE works

SASE integrates various security services, such as firewalls and SWGs, and networking functions like SD-WAN into a single cloud-native platform. When you want to access an application, SASE will verify your identity and determine the specific application you want to access. It then routes your traffic through the most efficient and secure path to the application.

This process can involve using SD-WAN to optimize network connectivity and performance while also encrypting the traffic to ensure confidentiality. As the traffic traverses the network, SASE applies various security services according to the policies defined by your organization.

Pros and cons of SASE

Who should use SASE?

The reason SASE is quickly becoming an enterprise favorite is because of the several benefits it brings to the table. These include:

• Improved performance.
• Reduced complexity.
• Simplified management.
• Increased scalability.
• Enhanced security posture.

SASE is suitable for geographically distributed workforces, as it provides secure access to applications and data regardless of the user’s location. Organizations prioritizing cloud adoption and relying on cloud-based applications can benefit from SASE, as it helps to alleviate operational complexity. It helps you establish greater control by combining multiple security functions into a single, cloud-native service.

How to choose the right remote access solution for your business

Remote access solutions (RAS) promise users easy, fast, reliable, and secure access to the corporate network from any location. RAS like SASE and VPNs are widely used by businesses to enable their employees to access company resources securely. To determine the right solution for your company, you must first evaluate your current security and network architecture.

Based on SASE design, it can help you optimize network performance, while VPNs can sometimes introduce latency and bandwidth limitations. It is also essential to analyze the security features offered by both SASE and VPN. SASE includes comprehensive security features like firewall, anti-malware, and zero trust network access (ZTNA), while VPN primarily focuses on creating a secure tunnel for data transmission.

A SASE solution is much more scalable than a traditional VPN approach. If a company suddenly has to accommodate thousands of new remote workers, it can “switch on” more SASE services in the cloud, close to wherever those remote workers happen to be.

SASE is also likely to be quicker and less costly to implement, because there’s no need to rush out and purchase more VPN concentrators, VPN licenses, network access control capacity, and the like. That, in turn, also reduces network complexity. With the SASE security stack managed in the cloud by the SASE provider, IT staff also have less to configure, manage, and maintain.

In terms of cost, VPNs may seem cheaper from the get-go but SASE can save you more money over time by reducing the need for on-premises hardware and maintenance, though this can vary due to the many great enterprise VPNs now on the market that can be installed over-the-air as a service rather than hardwired into the server.

Will SASE completely replace VPNs?

While SASE offers a more modern and comprehensive approach to remote access and network security, it will not completely replace VPNs in all scenarios. VPNs may still be preferred for organizations requiring more granular control over network access or having specific compliance requirements. The choice between SASE and VPNs depends on your business’s specific needs and considerations.

Bottom Line: SASE is more secure than VPNs

SASE is identity-driven and inherently trusts nothing and verifies everything. VPNs rely on perimeter-based security, which assumes that they can be trusted once a user is inside the network. By converging the capabilities of various security models, SASE makes remote access to enterprise resources more secure.

Still, there may be some situations where VPNs are the preferred solution, especially in home or small office networks where the various additional elements of SASE are unnecessary.

If you’re ready to make the switch to SASE, here’s our review of the best SASE providers for various use cases.

The post SASE vs VPNs: Which One Should You Use in 2023? appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

In this guide, you’ll learn what intent-based networking is, how it works, and how and why your organization may want to take advantage of it.

What is intent-based networking?

Intent-based networking (IBN) is a software-enabled automation technique that improves network operations and uptime by combining machine learning, artificial intelligence, analytics, and orchestration. IBN allows for flexible and agile network design that optimizes the quality of service for end users, using an algorithm that automates much of the process and scales well at a low cost.

While traditional approaches to network management can scale up to a certain point, they quickly run into problems as a network grows larger. IBN addresses these issues by automating processes based on intent, giving network administrators tools that make it easier to manage large networks.

Characteristics of IBN

IBN works through a process of translation and validation, automated implementation, network state awareness, and dynamic optimization. These four characteristics demonstrate how automation propagates throughout different levels of your network based on feedback from tests and real-time traffic analysis.

Translation and validation

IBN architecture is guided by a high-level business policy derived from user feedback. The software then checks to see if a user’s query is doable and sends proposed setups to the network administrator for authorization. This means intent is translated into actionable plans by validating against current network constraints.

Automated implementation

Implementation of IBN does not necessitate any manual input. All new setups are carried out and applied across the entire network architecture in an automated manner. This means actions are automated based on plans via software or other mechanisms.

Awareness of network state

The third characteristic is awareness of all services across all layers. This level of awareness allows monitoring and measurement at any layer to be analyzed in the context of the entire network.

Assurance and dynamic optimization/remediation

After a change has been made through intent-based methods, it’s important to monitor the results and adapt accordingly. This final step increases confidence that proper changes have been made.

What is the purpose of intent-based networking?

One of the problems in traditional IT networking is that it wasn’t built with automation in mind. IBN improves traditional IT networking from enhancing security to improving performance by basing its design on identity, automation, and intent rather than source and destination. This allows for more security against intrusion attempts, reduces the chance for human error, and saves time.

IBN helps to ensure that your network remains safe and productive without taking away your ability to grow it quickly. Plus, IT professionals can now spend their time working on strategic projects rather than doing tasks that should be automated.

How does IBN work?

Over time, IT networks can become cluttered and hard to manage, slowing down performance for users and making it difficult to add new systems. The logical first step in addressing these issues is to rework your network, but what does that entail if you choose to move toward intent-based networking?

IBN uses an innovative approach to redesign and deploy networks that focus on all aspects of a company’s IT infrastructure rather than only hardware assets. IBN addresses challenges related to managing enterprise networks, using AI and machine learning to execute regular activities, define rules, respond to system events, and verify that objectives and actions are met.

Intended for environments where big data, smart devices, software-defined everything (SDx), analytics, and automation overlap, IBN analyzes both structured and unstructured datasets to understand events happening across an entire enterprise — down to machines within individual buildings. These events trigger responses by orchestrating actions across multiple areas, including physical security systems (such as access controls), wireless settings (such as visibility), and cloud applications.

4 benefits of intent-based networking

Some of the biggest advantages brought by intent-based networking include faster troubleshooting, reduced manual tasks and misconfigurations, reduced network downtime, and enhanced security.

Faster troubleshooting

IBN uses information about applications and services to troubleshoot common issues before they occur. You can now take action immediately to solve problems as they arise instead of relying on slow, manual processes.

Reduced or eliminated manual tasks

IBN allows users to manage networks based on their own intentions, actions, and interactions. That means networks can be quickly configured when new nodes join, even when they are completely unfamiliar with each other’s existence. This will result in less configuration work for IT administrators and more flexibility for employees who have access to an enterprise network.

Reduced misconfigurations

Misconfigurations can be a huge headache for IT. They result in frustrated employees and an overworked IT department, and they increase security risks for your organization. Fortunately, IBN makes it easier to get it right from day one by building networks around what you need to do versus how you do it. This helps reduce misconfigurations and increase network efficiency.

Reduced downtime and enhanced security

IBN reduces downtime for servers because you can quickly identify potential issues and react before they cause an outage, reducing incidents that will cost money and require time to fix.

4 intent-based networking challenges

If you’re new to IBN, you may wonder why more organizations aren’t on board with it. After all, centralized orchestration eliminates point solutions, which is always better for cost management, and the automation of network policies seems like a strong selling point. However, some challenges can make an intent-based approach difficult to implement successfully.

Inability to store security metadata outside of SDN controllers

Once security metadata is stored inside software-defined networking (SDN) controllers, it becomes harder to secure communication between orchestrators, controllers, and managed devices — a critical limitation since a controller failure could lead to a catastrophic loss of control over a network.

Centralized automation requires close alignment with existing tools

It’s common for enterprise IT organizations to have hundreds of different management tools from multiple vendors that were implemented years ago as part of an initial virtualization or cloud migration effort. Not all will play well with centralized orchestration.

Because of possible incompatibilities, IT professionals may have to consolidate some of these tools onto their VNF manager platform if they want centralized automation. Alternatively, they can look at decoupling different types of tasks — such as decoupling device management from application delivery — so they can keep using older tools without sacrificing flexibility or wasting resources on unnecessary integrations.

Over-reliance on one vendor creates blind spots

When you rely heavily on one vendor, your networking infrastructure might become highly dependent upon that vendor due to compatibility issues with other vendors. This opens up potential vendor lock-in risks.

For example, if your system goes down due to an outage, there might not be any feasible ways for you to restore full functionality until an alternative solution is found. If you use more than one networking vendor, chances are you won’t suffer issues like these.

Although this issue isn’t unique to IBN and can be a problem across many types of networks, the software-based nature of IBN makes it particularly susceptible to vendor lock-in.

Immature product portfolio leads to fragmented adoption

Before large enterprises start deploying intent-based solutions en masse, there needs to be a large enough pool of products available. Right now, many vendors are still working on developing their offerings, so it’s hard for IT pros to justify buying them or building proofs of concept.

However, once these solutions become more widespread and their results are further proven, it should become easier for other enterprises to follow suit with IBN.

Examples of intent-based networking

Intent-based networking can be applied in various scenarios, such as the following:

• Quality of service (QoS) management: In this case, the intent may be to ensure high-quality voice and videoconferencing for real-time communications. In response, the IBN system automatically identifies and prioritizes voice and video traffic, allocating sufficient bandwidth and low-latency paths for these applications.
• Multicloud networking: If a network admin intends to ensure seamless connectivity and data exchange between on-premises and multicloud environments, IBN can orchestrate cloud-native networking components, such as VPN tunnels or VPC peering, to maintain connectivity and security across multiple cloud providers.

IBN can also be used for security policy enforcement, predictive network maintenance to minimize downtime and disruptions, and dynamic load balancing, which allows the network to adjust load balancing rules to optimize traffic distribution.

Examples of intent-based networking software

Some of the leading intent-based networking software solutions available today include Juniper Apstra, Cisco DNA, and Forward Networks. That list is likely to expand as the technology continues to catch on, but these three companies have been very effective early adopters.

Juniper Apstra

Juniper Apstra’s IBN software helps enterprises manage their networks across data centers, vendors, and topologies. Some of the key features of this solution include multivendor support, Intent Time Voyager rollback, intent-based automation, and continuous day 0 to day 2+ validation.

Juniper acquired Apstra in 2020. The acquisition aimed to leverage Apstra’s expertise in network automation to enhance Juniper’s data center networking portfolio.

Cisco DNA

Cisco Digital Network Architecture (Cisco DNA) is an intent-based networking solution built for campus, branch, and WAN, which provides automation and assurance across the enterprise network. It enables a network administrator to control and manage their network infrastructure to support and respond to new business initiatives using end-to-end network visibility and inventories, and enhanced AI and machine learning analytics.

Cisco DNA also offers enhanced integration and segmentation tools, and is a natural extension of Cisco’s wide ecosystem of network management and security tools — although that also means that vendor lock-in could be a concern.

Forward Networks

With Forward Networks’ network modeling solution, enterprises can ensure their network is configured and behaving as intended across on-prem, cloud, and virtual overlay networks.

The tool has a prediction function that can proactively help network administrators identify potential connectivity and security policy violations. It also offers a search function that allows the admin to search network behavior and find devices on their network based on their connection and behavior to enable fast root-cause isolation and incident remediation.

What is the difference between intent-based networking and SDN?

IBN leverages both network functions virtualization (NFV) and SDN to enable users to move workloads around their data center or cloud environment based on activity patterns. In essence, IBN allows users to treat enterprise networks as if they were a single logical fabric with thousands of ports available for use by different applications that need access at any given time, even if those applications aren’t running at the same time.

In contrast, SDN is a networking approach that uses software-based controllers or application programming interfaces (APIs) to communicate with hardware infrastructure and direct the flow of network traffic. It centrally manages and controls your entire network infrastructure, providing end-to-end visibility of network configurability and performance and also enabling network programmability.

How will IBN affect businesses in the future?

If you’re like most IT professionals, you’re tired of dealing with two different types of network issues every day: device configuration problems and application compatibility problems. You spend too much time troubleshooting inefficiently, trying to determine if an issue is related to poorly configured devices or an application that doesn’t work properly.

IBN helps network administrators overcome these problems by automatically verifying compatibility across the network’s layers and resolving issues at their point of origin. If you’re looking for a scalable, cost-effective solution to your networking needs, you should consider intent-based networking.

Businesses are already monitoring their networks for performance problems. Over time, companies may no longer care whether something happens at layer two or layer seven; they’ll just want it to happen when they need it to happen. That’s where intent networking can step in and offer assistance.

Bottom line: Automating enterprise networks with IBN

IBN enables organizations to improve their network performance and align network operations with business objectives by leveraging automation and orchestration to translate high-level business intent into network configuration and management actions. This allows for real-time security event detection, improved network control, vendor neutrality, and faster fixes to network issues.

Explore our full rundown of the best network automation tools to free up IT resources and improve network performance and security.

The post Top Intent-Based Networking Benefits and Challenges Explained appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

A large company may have an extensive enterprise network that connects buildings around its headquarter campus with high-speed Internet and other necessities. Enterprise networks can also be found in small businesses that work on local area networks (LANs). 

How enterprise networking works

An enterprise network includes various hardware components, including routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers. These hardware components support software applications such as operating systems and network management software, as well as procedures and processes that work together to help enterprises exchange data. 

Different departments in a company may use their hardware devices on different parts of the same enterprise network. What they all have in common is the need to communicate with each other so workers can exchange files, make phone calls, and perform all the other essential tasks required for doing business. 

Each device uses its own operating system and configuration settings, but those must be able to talk to each other through an agreed-upon protocol such as TCP/IP or IPX/SPX. To facilitate communication between devices on an enterprise network, there’s also likely to be a router or switch somewhere along the line. These devices act like traffic cops; they receive packets from one device and route them to another based on the addresses contained within those packets.

What components make up an enterprise network?

Enterprise networks consist of various components, which vary based on your company’s size, requirements, and technological choices. Often, an enterprise network includes endpoint devices like PCs, laptops, mobile devices, and servers; network devices such as repeaters, bridges, routers, switches, firewalls, and storage; communications protocols; and area networks like LANs, wide area networks (WANs), and campus area networks (CANs). 

• Routers: This device directs data traffic between networks. It is used to forward data packets between different networks.
• Switches: Operating at Layer 2 (Data Link Layer) of the OSI model, these are network hardware devices used to connect multiple devices on the same network; they can be used to manage physical networks or software-based virtual devices. 
• Load balancers: Load balancers are devices that act as a “reverse-proxy” and distribute network traffic across multiple servers to ensure efficient utilization of resources.
• Servers: A server is computer hardware or software that provides services to other network users or devices, called “clients.”
• Proxy servers: Proxy servers act as intermediaries between clients and other servers.
• Firewalls: These are security devices that monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic and decide to allow or deny access based on predefined security rules. 

In addition, network administrators also use network management software to monitor and manage enterprise networks, as these tools enable them to effectively troubleshoot issues, optimize performance, and ensure the network is functioning as intended.

Top 3 types of enterprise networks

There are three common types of enterprise networks: LANs, WANs, and cloud networks.

Local area network (LAN) 

This network usually connects computers and other devices in a small area, such as an office building. It’s local because it only covers a limited geographic area and typically uses cables to connect devices. 

Since LANs cover a small space, there isn’t much concern about security or privacy. While there are hundreds of LAN providers on the market, the best enterprise LAN provider for you depends on your specific network needs and enterprise infrastructure. 

Wide area network (WAN) 

A wide-area network (WAN) is any computer network that spans larger distances than a LAN. A WAN may span cities, states, countries, or even continents. In contrast to LANs, which use cables for connectivity, WANs often use telephone lines or radio waves to communicate between network nodes. The internet is one example of a WAN. 

Cloud networks 

Enterprise IT departments can also take advantage of cloud computing resources. Cloud computing uses virtualization technology to allow companies to rent server space on a pay-as-you-go basis instead of purchasing their hardware.  

Cloud computing allows users to access applications and data from anywhere using any device with Internet access. These applications reside on servers hosted by a third-party company known as a cloud provider.

4 benefits of an optimized enterprise network

An optimized enterprise network can increase overall productivity and efficiency, giving your organization a competitive edge. 

• Enhance employees’ productivity: A well-designed network increases employee efficiency by making it easier for them to access information quickly and complete tasks on time. This, in turn, reduces errors and helps organizations operate more smoothly.
• Improve customer service: An optimized enterprise network can help a company provide better customer service by allowing it to offer faster response times and streamlined operations so that reps can attend to customers faster.
• Enhance security: An optimized enterprise network can help you keep your data secure by reducing potential vulnerabilities and minimizing potential threats. It also protects against attacks, giving you peace of mind that your business’s sensitive information will be protected.
• Reduce costs: An optimized enterprise network can help you reduce costs by helping you consolidate your systems and streamline your operations. This, in turn, reduces expenses like hardware and maintenance fees. It also helps improve employee productivity so that you can operate more efficiently with fewer resources.

3 common challenges of enterprise networking 

Networking in one form or another has been a critical element of any enterprise for decades now — but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gotten easier. Even as some features and practices are streamlined, other new complications continue to pop up.

Network complexity

Enterprise networks can get complex as you add more devices to your network. More devices mean more network traffic, IP addresses, and connectivity to manage, operate from multiple locations, and use multiple data centers and cloud environments. Troubleshooting and diagnosing issues with the network can become challenging and time-consuming in such complex network environments.

Security challenges

Malicious actors often target enterprise networks to perpetrate cyberattacks, cause service disruptions, and gain unauthorized access to business data as well as customers’ sensitive data. 

Data from the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report shows that the global average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million, a 15% increase over 3 years. 

With the increase in distributed workforce, the rise of cloud computing, and the adoption of internet of things (IoT) devices, the attack surface of enterprise networks has significantly expanded, creating new security challenges.

Network monitoring and management

Network monitoring and management play a crucial role in maintaining the smooth functioning of a company’s network infrastructure. Organizations need to invest in high quality, advanced network monitoring tools and knowledgeable experts to ensure optimal network performance. 

These usually come at a fee that may not be affordable for companies with limited resources, though there are free, open source alternatives for those with the IT expertise to implement them.

We analyzed the top enterprise networking challenges that may impact your service delivery, growth, and competitiveness and discussed in detail how you can afford those changes.

Best practices in planning and deploying enterprise networks

Connectivity is key to optimizing workforce productivity, IT service delivery, and overall operational efficiency within your organization. The size of your company, number of employees, industry vertical, location(s), equipment, and budget all play a part in determining what type of network will work best for you. 

Here are five best practices for planning and deploying enterprise networks. 

Get organized 

Network design is optimally based on a well-structured company communication plan. A company needs clearly defined goals and objectives regarding how it wants to communicate internally and externally. This essential plan will make things easier for everyone involved in creating an effective network infrastructure. 

Define your needs 

Before jumping head-first into building out complex network infrastructure, take some time to define precisely what you need from your new system — before deciding which vendors or products to use. 

Do your research 

No matter how much experience you may have with enterprise networking, it’s always a good idea to do your research before committing to any particular vendor or product. There are many options available today, so spend some time evaluating each one against your specific requirements. 

Hire a professional 

Whether you are looking to build a new network from scratch or simply upgrade your existing infrastructure, hiring a professional consultant and/or dedicated team member will ensure everything goes smoothly and according to schedule. 

Make sure everyone is on board 

When bringing together various departments (IT, marketing, and sales) within your organization to discuss your plans for implementing an enterprise network, ensure everyone is on board with their respective roles and responsibilities throughout the project lifecycle. 

Monitoring enterprise network performance 

To keep your network performing optimally, it’s necessary to constantly monitor its health. Hence the importance of implementing a network monitoring tool or software in your enterprise. 

To effectively monitor your network performance, start by defining your performance metrics. You can do this by setting key performance indicators (KPIs) that you want to monitor, like latency, bandwidth utilization, packet loss, and response time. 

Afterwards, select a network monitoring tool that offers the capabilities you need, and then configure alerts and notifications within your network monitoring tool with predefined rules for when a specific event occurs. 

Top 6 enterprise network trends

Today’s enterprises rely on more than just single networks; they have extended infrastructures of various networks that come together to form an enterprise network. While, on one hand, it’s considered a standard part of business operations, enterprise networking is also very complex. As such, the following are several key trends shaping enterprise networks.

Virtualization

Virtualization provides an excellent way for businesses to make their networks scalable while reducing costs by using fewer hardware resources. Virtualized enterprise networks can support different types of traffic simultaneously without any interference or degradation in performance — and allow businesses to quickly respond when there’s a change in traffic flow or new users need access.

Automation

Enterprise architects automate complex network management tasks with a combination of hardware and software. Automation makes self-healing networks possible, which is key in enterprise environments where downtime is costly. To keep things running smoothly in an enterprise environment, IT staff must have some way of automatically dealing with problems before they become full-blown outages.

SD-WAN

SD-WAN allows enterprises to create virtual connections over multiple underlying links simultaneously; if one link fails, traffic can automatically shift over to another without interrupting service or losing connectivity. This flexibility makes SD-WAN far more resilient than traditional overlay designs.

Managed network services

Enterprises are using new network service delivery models, like Networking as a Service (NaaS) or Software-Defined Networking (SDN). 

NaaS allows enterprises to offload responsibility for their networking infrastructure by leveraging cloud services from managed service providers (MSPs). Meanwhile, SDN enables enterprises to treat their entire network as a single resource they can control through software platforms. 

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

Companies are implementing artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions to improve network visibility and security. With AI and machine learning, companies can optimize their network infrastructure for peak performance and business agility. 

Zero trust network access

A zero trust network refers to a security architecture that requires access to resources on an enterprise’s network to be approved at every layer of authorization. This is especially important for companies with sensitive data, such as healthcare providers and financial institutions. Zero trust networks can also serve as additional protection against ransomware attacks and other data breaches.

Bottom line: Keep an eye on your enterprise network activity

An enterprise network is the backbone of an organization’s ability to communicate and share data. This system extends beyond just computers; it also includes phone systems, fax machines, IoT, applications, and other communication and data devices. 

Due to its extent and importance, there’s a need to constantly monitor and analyze your network behavior for abnormal patterns, security breaches, and issues that may degrade the performance of your network.Be sure to implement these network management best practices for optimal performance. We also analyzed and reviewed the best network management tools to streamline the process.

The post What Is an Enterprise Network? Definition, Types, and Tips appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

A decade ago, intrusion detection and prevention technology was regarded as a luxury for enterprises with larger budgets. Today, protection against internal and external threats is an absolute necessity.

After all, organizations can’t survive if they lose their data to malicious attacks or leak proprietary information to competitors. And yet even in today’s cybersecurity-conscious world, many businesses either don’t have proper security systems in place or are unaware of which ones are best suited to their needs.

According to Cybersecurity Ventures, global cyber crime costs are expected to grow by 15% per year over the next five years, reaching $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015. To avoid devastating data breaches, enterprises should deploy high-quality IDPS solutions early.

Here are our picks for the top intrusion detection and prevention systems: 

• Cisco Secure Next-Generation IPS: Best for deep visibility into network traffic (Read more)
• Palo Alto Networks Threat Prevention: Best for large enterprise (Read more)
• Check Point IPS: Best IDPS for visibility and reporting (Read more)
• OSSEC HIDS: Best IDPS for performing rootkit detection and monitoring file integrity (Read more)
• Snort: Best for budget-conscious businesses (Read more)
• Trellix Intrusion Prevention System: Best for hybrid clouds (Read more)
• Alert Logic Managed Detection and Response: Best for real time threat analysis and behavioral analysis (Read more)
• CrowdSec: Best for real-time threat intelligence (Read more)
• SolarWinds Security Event Manager: Best for large organizations with complex security needs (Read more)
• Security Onion: Best for performing network security monitoring and incident response (Read more)

Top intrusion detection and prevention systems: Comparison chart

Jump to:

• Key features of intrusion detection and prevention systems 
• Benefits of working with intrusion detection and prevention systems 
• How do I choose the best intrusion detection and prevention systems for my business?
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Methodology

Cisco Secure Next-Generation IPS

Best for deep visibility into network traffic

By leveraging big data analytics and machine learning (ML) techniques, Cisco Secure NGIPS can detect advanced attacks and offer granular protection. The platform leverages threat intelligence, in-depth visibility into traffic flows, real-time analysis of global threat information, and a deep understanding of attack patterns to provide high-fidelity detection for known and unknown threats.

It also offers granular policy controls that allow security teams to determine which applications are permitted to access specific network resources at any given time. And it enables security analysts to quickly identify and block even highly complex DDoS attacks with integrated technology from Arbor Networks.

Cisco NGIPS pricing

Pricing information is not provided on the Cisco website. You can contact the Cisco sales team or a verified partner for quotes. Publicly available data shows that the solution price ranges from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands, depending on your needs.

Cisco NGIPS key features

• Cisco secure IPS receives new policy rules and signatures every two hours, keeping your security updated.
• To secure mission-critical assets, guest access, and WAN connections, Secure IPS can be deployed for in-line or passive inspection and implemented at the perimeter or data center distribution/core.
• It provides real-time visibility into your network’s users, apps, devices, threats, and vulnerabilities.
• The solution allows you to rapidly detect, prevent, contain, and remediate advanced threats integrated with AMP (advanced malware protection) and sandboxing solutions.
• Cisco NGIPS provides global threat visibility and analysis that generates over 35,000 IPS rules as well as integrated IP-, URL-, and DNS-based security information for real-time threat protection.

Cisco NGIPS pros

• Round-the-clock network monitoring.
• Threat intelligence.
• Flexible deployment.
• It receives new policy rules and signatures every two hours.

Cisco NGIPS cons

• Some users reported that the documentation is insufficient.
• The interface can be improved.

Palo Alto Networks Threat Prevention

Best for large enterprises

Palo Alto Networks Threat Prevention safeguards your network against traditional attacks and targeted, advanced threats perpetrated by organized cyberattacks. It offers extensive exploit, malware, and command-and-control (C2) security.

Palo Alto Networks Threat Prevention also provides log management, comprehensive exploit, malware, and C2 protection to protect the enterprise from cyberthreats.

Palo Alto Networks Threat Prevention pricing

Pricing information is not provided on the Palo Alto website. You can book a demo to get a personalized product recommendation for your enterprise. Some users reported that the solution license cost is expensive, although it can vary greatly.

Palo Alto Networks Threat Prevention key features

• Palo Alto Threat Prevention uses Snort and other advanced IPS technologies with NGFW to create a unified security policy rule base.
• Inspects all traffic threats regardless of port, protocol, or encryption, and provide visibility into attacks to ensure organization safety.
• Automatically blocks known malware, vulnerability exploits, and C2.
• Automates security to get automatic updates for new threats.

Palo Alto Networks Threat Prevention pros

• It includes WideFire malware protection.
• Provides fast and regular automatic updates.
• The solution has a helpful support team.

Palo Alto Networks Threat Prevention cons

• Some users reported that the solution is complex to manage.
• High-end pricing.

Check Point IPS

Best for visibility and reporting

Check Point IPS provides a comprehensive NGFW, with integrated IDS/IPS functionality that combines real-time attack detection and blocking with network security policy enforcement. It can be deployed as a physical or virtual appliance.

With its ability to stop attacks before impacting your organization, Check Point protects enterprises against cyberthreats, including malware and targeted attacks. It uses a combination of signatures, protocol validation, anomaly detection, and behavioral analysis to detect intrusions in real time. You can also use it to enforce security policies across multiple devices on your network from one centralized location.

Check Point IPS pricing

Pricing information is not provided on the Check Point website. However, you can book a demo with the Check Point team or find an authorized Check Point partner.

Check Point IPS key features

• With virtual patching, Check Point keeps its management server and security gateways updated every two hours. The administrator is also alerted to any new IPS protections, ensuring they are informed.
• By activating IPS on your current Check Point NGFW, you can reduce deployment time and save costs by using existing security infrastructure. In addition, the optional detect-only mode configures all of your current defenses to merely detect traffic and not block it, allowing you to assess your profile without danger of interruption.
• Check Point IPS defenses include scans for protocol and behavioral anomalies; this enables Check Point to identify vulnerabilities in well-known protocols like HTTP, SMTP, PO3, and IMAP before an exploit is discovered.
• Check Point identifies and blocks DNS tunneling attempts that indicate data leakage or evasion.

Check Point IPS pros

• Prevents tunneling attempts that may indicate data leakage.
• Integrates with SmartEvent, allowing a security operations center (SOC) analyst to respond to the highest priority event first.
• Good reporting capability.

Check Point IPS cons

• Technical support can be improved.
• The solution is cost prohibitive.

OSSEC HIDS

Best IDS for performing rootkit detection and monitoring file integrity

OSSEC is an open-source, host-based intrusion detection system that performs log analysis, file integrity checking, policy monitoring, rootkit detection, real-time alerting, and active response. It runs on most operating systems (OSs), including Linux, OpenBSD, and Mac OS X.

Daniel Cid originally developed the software and it has been under constant development since 2004. OSSEC can be deployed either stand-alone or as a client/server architecture.

OSSEC HIDS pricing

OSSEC is a free and open source tool. It is available in three versions: OSSEC, which is the regular version, OSSEC+, which includes additional capabilities and Atomic OSSEC, which is an enterprise version.

The enterprise plan features clustering, agent management, reporting, security, vulnerability management, and third-party systems integration. Pricing starts at $55 per endpoint per year, or less than $5 per month.   

OSSEC HIDS key features

• OSSEC leverages a log-based intrusion detection system to actively monitor and analyze data from multiple log data points in real time.
• Respond in real time to system threats and changes through firewall rules, third-party integrations like CDNs, and help portals and self-healing measures.
• OSSEC maintains a forensic copy of data as it changes over time for files and Windows registry settings.
• OSSEC performs compliance audits at the application and system level for a variety of common standards, such as PCI DSS and CIS standards.
• OSSEC processes file-level analysis to detect malicious applications and rootkits.

OSSEC HIDS pros

• Real time community threat sharing.
• Forensic file integrity monitoring (FIM).
• Log-based intrusion detection.
• Host based zero-load vulnerability scanning.
• Native Cloud Provider Integration (AWS, Azure, GCP).

OSSEC HIDS cons

• OSSEC default rules are overwritten on every upgrade.
• The OSSEC Web UI is currently unmaintained and deprecated.

Snort

Best for budget-conscious businesses

Snort is an open-source network IDPS developed in 1998 by Martin Roesch, founder and former CTO of Sourcefire. It performs real-time traffic analysis and packet logging on IP networks. It can also detect malicious traffic in your networks, such as DDoS attacks, worms, or viruses.

Snort uses a flexible rule-based language to describe traffic it should collect or pass as well as a detection engine that uses pattern matching rules to identify suspected malicious traffic.

The software can be run in both in-line blocking and passive monitoring modes. In-line blocking mode inspects packets passing through a router or switch, while passive monitoring mode listens to network traffic but does not block any packets.

Snort pricing

While Snort is a free, open-source tool, it also offers three subscription-based product rule sets. Snort’s personal rule set subscription costs $29.99 each for a one-year subscription, and Snort’s business rule set subscription costs $399 per sensor for a one-year subscription. For the Snort integrator, prospective buyers can contact the Snort team for details.

Snort key features

• Snort offers real-time network traffic monitoring, giving users real-time alerts when it detects suspicious packets or threats on IP networks.
• OS fingerprinting is based on the idea that each platform has its TCP/IP stack. Therefore, Snort can be used to identify the OS platform used by a system that connects to a network.
• Snort can be run on any OS, including Linux and Windows, and any network environment.
• Snort organizes rules by protocol, such as IP and TCP, then by port, and finally by those with and without content.
• Snort’s packet logger mode allows it to record packets to disk. It captures all packets and organizes them by IP address in this mode.

Snort pros

• It has a large and active user community, allowing for easy access to support, updates, and additional resources.
• It’s relatively lightweight and does not consume excessive system resources.

Snort cons

• Its lack of GUI might make it to be less user-friendly for some administrators.
• Limited centralized management.

Trellix Intrusion Prevention System

Best for hybrid cloud

Trellix Intrusion Prevention System, formerly McAfee Network Security Platform, has advanced threat protection and malware detection. It uses a combination of deep packet inspection (DPI) and threat intelligence to detect unknown attacks, classify threats, and stop attackers in their tracks.

Trellix provides visibility into data packets for more granular control over network traffic, which enables you to block malicious content before it reaches end users. The platform also provides security analytics that help you identify vulnerabilities across your network infrastructure, so you can quickly patch them before hackers exploit them.

Trellix’s IPS pricing

Trellix doesn’t advertise its product pricing on its website. The company encourages buyers to discuss their needs with an in-house expert before sending out personalized quotes based on your needs.

Trellix IPS key features

• Inbound SSL decryption supports Diffie-Hellman (DH) and Elliptic-Curve DH ciphers using an agent-based, shared key solution without impacting sensor performance.
• Allowlist/blocklist enhancements to support Structured Threat Information eXpression (STIX).
• With Trellix, inspection of virtual environments is enabled.
• HTTP response decompression support is available.
• Trellix offers IP defragmentation and TCP stream reassembly.
• Users have access to features for automation and integration into endpoint security.

Trellix’s IPS pros

• Real-time signature-based intrusion prevention.
• Extend botnet intrusion detection and network analysis.
• Flexible deployment.

Trellix’s IPS cons

• It can be complex to configure and manage.
• Infrequent false positives.

Alert Logic Managed Detection and Response (MDR)

Best for real time threat analysis and behavioral analysis

Alert Logic is part of Fortra’s comprehensive cybersecurity portfolio. Alert Logic provides comprehensive IDS coverage for public cloud, SaaS, on-premises, and hybrid environments. It provides protection against both known and zero-day threats and continuous network monitoring.

Alert Logic MDR has an always-on threat monitoring capability, allowing it to detect network intruders more quickly and faster, leading to shorter attacker dwell time and less environmental damage. The managed security solution is designed to help organizations detect and respond to intrusions in real-time by continuously monitoring all devices on a company’s network for suspicious activity.

Alert Logic MDR pricing

Alert logic offers a pay-as-you-grow model, and pricing starts at 25 nodes. Although exact pricing information is not available on the vendor’s website, they offer three pricing plans: Alert Logic MDR essentials, Alert Logic MDR professional, and Alert Logic MDR enterprise. For more information on pricing, prospective buyers can request a quote or book a demo.

Alert Logic MDR key features

• Internal and external vulnerability scanning.
• Log collection and search with 12-month retention.
• User behavior monitoring.
• Real-time reporting and dashboards.
• Weblog analytics and cloud change monitoring.

Alert Logic MDR pros

• Identify lateral movement, brute force attacks, privilege escalation, ransomware, and command and control exploits.
• Users reported good experience with technical support.

Alert Logic MDR cons

• Complex initial setup and configuration process.
• The user interface can be made better and less clunky.

CrowdSec

Best for real-time threat intelligence

CrowdSec is an open-source collaborative IPS platform that leverages the community to detect and prevent security threats. Using a combination of ML, predictive analytics, and user-generated data, CrowdSec can detect and block both known and unknown cyberattacks. This approach allows it to provide real-time threat intelligence while protecting its users from false positives.

CrowdSec is designed to run on virtual machines (VMs), bare-metal servers, containers, or called directly via API.

CrowdSec pricing

CrowdSec offers two plans: A community plan, which is free and is designed for individual users, hobbyists, and open source software enthusiasts, and an Enterprise plan designed for large organizations and advanced security teams. To get pricing for the enterprise plan, buyers must contact the CrowdSec team.

CrowdSec key features

• CrowdSec is equipped with Metabase and Prometheus to help users better defend their digital assets.
• CrowdSec doesn’t disrupt data streams or create single points of failure by decoupling detection (agent) and remediation (bouncer). Instead, it can fit any serverless, cloud-based, VM, or bare-metal context in one (agent) to one (bouncer), one to many, many to one, and many to many typologies.
• CrowdSec can protect your servers against attackers, whether they use IPV4 or IPV6 addresses. Users’ sessions and other business-oriented layers are included in this next-generation HIDS as well as IPs.
• GDPR compliant.

CrowdSec pros

• Detection and remediation on unlimited machines.
• Local and consolidated data visualization.
• Activity logs.
• Easy to use.

CrowdSec cons

• The UI can get more confusing when you start deploying more complicated bouncers.
• Some users reported that the paid plan is expensive.

SolarWinds Security Event Manager

Best for large organizations with complex security needs

SolarWinds Security Event Manager ensures transparency in showing compliance with features intended to let users conveniently monitor and manage any security event throughout their network infrastructure, including the ability to produce thorough and easy-to-customize reports.

SolarWinds Security Event Manager pricing

SolarWinds offers a 30-day free trial. The vendor subscription starts at $2,877, and the perpetual licensing starts at $5,607. In addition, prospective buyers can request personalized quotes tailored to their enterprise.

SolarWinds Security Event Manager key features

• Centralized log collection and normalization.
• Built-in file integrity monitoring.
• Automated threat detection and response.
• Integrated compliance reporting tools.

SolarWinds Security Event Manager pros

• It can combine network intrusion detection system (NIDS) data with other infrastructure logs to assess the volume and type of attacks on your network. 
• Reduce manual network intrusion detection efforts.
• Provides compliance reporting for HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX, and ISO. 

SolarWinds Security Event Manager cons

• Some users reported that the licensing mode is somewhat confusing.
• It may be too costly for small businesses.

Security Onion

Best for performing network security monitoring and incident response

Security Onion is a free and open source Ubuntu-based Linux distribution for threat detection, IDPS testing, and security monitoring. Security Onion includes several tools for sniffing packets, logging activity, running vulnerability scans, generating reports, etc. It also contains Snort, Suricata, Bro, OSSEC HIDS, Sguil clients, and more.

Security Onion aims to provide an all-in-one platform for performing network security monitoring and incident response.

Security Onion pricing

The tool is free to use and open source.

Security Onion key features

• Users can benefit from enterprise security monitoring and intrusion detection.
• Security Onion includes top free and open tools, including Suricata, Zeek, Wazuh, the Elastic Stack, and more.
• Security Onion can be used to import PCAP files for quick static analysis and case studies.
• Gather network events from Zeek, Suricata, and other technologies to ensure comprehensive network coverage.

Security Onion pros

• It includes third-party tools, such as Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana, Suricata, Zeek (formerly known as Bro), Wazuh, Stenographer, CyberChef, and NetworkMiner.
• High scalability.
• It supports several host-based event collection agents, including Wazuh, Beats, and osquery. 

Security Onion cons

• Require expert knowledge to use.
• It can get complex as your network security needs increase.

5 key features of intrusion detection and prevention systems

Although their full packages can vary widely, all IDPS tools should include the basics: constant monitoring, signature-based detection, logging and reporting, traffic analysis, and alerts.

Round-the-clock network monitoring

By monitoring your network infrastructure 24/7, IDPS can identify unauthorized access attempts, unusual patterns of behavior, or known attack signatures. IDPS analyzes incoming and outgoing data packets, looking for signs of potential intrusion attempts, unauthorized access, or abnormal behavior. 

Real-time monitoring enables rapid detection and response to security incidents as they happen, minimizing the potential impact of attacks.

Signature-based detection 

IDPS should employ signature-based detection. This method involves comparing incoming data packets or system activity against a database of known patterns associated with specific threats or attacks. When a match is found, the IDPS triggers an alert or takes appropriate action to prevent the attack from succeeding.

Logging and reporting 

Logging, reporting, and analysis capabilities are important functionalities of IDPS systems. Logs are valuable for forensic analysis, post-incident investigations, and compliance purposes. 

IDPS also helps to generate reports on detected threats, analyze attack patterns, and identify potential vulnerabilities in the network or system. This information helps organizations improve their security posture and take necessary measures to prevent future intrusions.

Network traffic analysis

IDPSs analyze network packets and traffic to identify any anomalies or suspicious behavior. This includes examining protocol anomalies, checking for unauthorized protocols, and identifying unusual traffic patterns.

Alerts and notifications

Whenever an intrusion or suspicious activity is detected, these systems generate alerts and notifications to network administrators or security teams. This enables a timely response to mitigate the potential damage.

6 benefits of working with intrusion detection and prevention systems 

There are many benefits to intrusion detection and prevention systems. These range from data safety to financial savings and more. Here are six benefits of IDPS:

• Mitigating data breaches: By detecting malicious activity, intruders can be stopped before sensitive information is stolen.
• Improving productivity: By preventing attacks on your network, you will see improvements in employee efficiency leading to greater overall success for your company.
• Reduce downtime: When your system goes down, so does your ability to do business. With an IDPS in place, you can prevent these situations by quickly identifying problems before they become too big to handle.
• Reduce insurance costs: Having an IDPS also helps reduce insurance costs because it reduces risks associated with liability claims related to cyberattacks and other computer-related crimes.
• Increase compliance: If you run a business that deals with sensitive information such as medical records or credit card numbers, having an IDPS can help ensure compliance with HIPAA and PCI DSS regulations.
• Providing alert and monitoring systems: A well-designed IDPS provides both real-time alerts about potential threats and comprehensive reports about what happened during previous attacks, so you can learn from past mistakes and implement new strategies to keep your business safe going forward.

How to choose the best intrusion detection and prevention system

Many different types of attacks can make their way through an unsecured network, but fortunately, there are many ways to protect against them. For example, IDS and IPS systems may not be able to block every potential security threat, but they monitor activity in real time and detect an attack before any real damage is done.

The type and sophistication of a defense system depend on your company’s resources and goals; what matters most is that you take concrete steps toward protecting your sensitive data.

So when looking for an IDS or IPS system for your organization, you should focus first on how well it addresses specific vulnerabilities identified in research reports, and then, look at its ease of use, so you can set up and maintain a powerful system without sacrificing productivity. The best IDS/IPS system is the one that works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do intrusion detection and prevention systems protect my network?

Yes — IDPSs are designed to detect and prevent unauthorized access, malicious activities, and potential security breaches to your network. 

The intrusion detection component scans network traffic and system logs to identify potential threats, such as unusual patterns, known attack signatures, or anomalous behavior. 

Once a potential intrusion is detected, the intrusion prevention component takes action to prevent the attack from compromising the network’s security. This can involve blocking malicious IP addresses, isolating affected systems, or even terminating malicious processes. 

Can intrusion detection and prevention systems guarantee protection against all cyberthreats?

While IDPS is effective in detecting known attack patterns and signatures, it cannot be considered a complete defense. It may struggle with novel or sophisticated threats that do not match any existing signatures. IDPS should be complemented with other security layers, such as firewalls, antivirus software, behavioral analytics, endpoint protection, and regular security awareness training for employees. 

Are intrusion detection and prevention systems suitable for small businesses?

Yes, IDPS is suitable and beneficial for small businesses. Although large enterprises typically have more extensive cybersecurity budgets and resources, small businesses are sadly not immune to cyberthreats. In fact, they can be more vulnerable due to limited IT staff and infrastructure. 

IDPS solutions provide an essential layer of defense against various cyberattacks, such as malware, ransomware, and unauthorized access attempts. 

Methodology

We ranked the best IDPS tools based on several core functionalities of IDPS solutions, such as 24/7 network monitoring, alerts and notification, threat intelligence capability, log management, reporting and more. 

We gathered primary data about each solution from the vendor’s website and we also analyzed user feedback on review websites to learn about current and past user experience to help us determine each tool’s usability capability. 

We understand that our readers are from various industries and organization types and sizes, so our review covers tools that are suitable for small, medium and large enterprises.

Bottom line: Building your network security with IDPS

The best IDPS tool for you depends on your business’s unique network security needs. Hence the need to select a tool based on its ease of implementation and use, its effectiveness in detecting and preventing attacks, its scalability to adapt to growing needs, and its compatibility with existing security infrastructure.

Our top picks stood out for their advanced threat detection capabilities, real-time monitoring, excellent network visibility and comprehensive reporting capabilities. They also offer a good balance of detection and prevention features, making each tool a reliable solution for organizations with both simple and complex IT landscapes.

For deeper and more granular network visibility, you may want to implement one of the best network monitoring tools, which we have also reviewed.

The post 10 Best Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) for 2023 appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

ZTNA establishes multiple layers of protection by assuming that any connection will be malicious, and therefore placing various security mechanisms between the user and the organization’s resources. As a result, authentication occurs at each layer and not just once at a centralized point.

How does zero trust network access work?

The fundamental concept of ZTNA is to segregate critical assets on a network by not trusting the endpoint devices. In other words, when accessing a resource, an end-user device must authenticate before being allowed access to the resource or part of the network.

A zero trust network assumes that any device can potentially be compromised, so it restricts access to resources based on user location, authentication level, and risk assessment of the endpoint accessing the resource. For example, with ZTNA, access to a specific service is granted when successful authentication.

ZTNA operates on the principle of “zero trust, always verify.” A zero trust approach requires all users, devices, systems, networks, and resources to be treated as untrusted outsiders. It asserts that IT should move away from the monolithic model where all devices have unrestricted access to all applications, and the “always verify” part means that there’s no such thing as an implicitly trusted insider or external system. Every identity is presumed to be risky until proven otherwise by authentication from an acceptable source at the appropriate level.

In contrast to virtual private networks (VPNs), zero trust technologies have a “deny by default” policy and only allow access to the services for which the user has been granted access. That way, if one area becomes compromised, attackers are not automatically given full access to other areas of the organization.

When implementing ZTNA, organizations should take a layered security approach with multiple controls between the outside world and their sensitive data or infrastructure. The different layers act as obstacles, making it difficult for attackers to reach their target.

What are the differences between VPN and ZTNA?

The main difference between VPNs and ZTNA are their access levels, their endpoint posture assessments, and the visibility they grant into user activity.

Network-level access vs. application-level access

VPNs grant access to the entire network and all apps and services housed on it, while ZTNA grants access only to specific apps or services, meaning that before the user can access the apps or services on their network, they must complete an authentication process. This could include any combination of user identity, user or service location, time of the day, type of service, and security posture of the device.

Endpoint posture assessment

Whether granting device access to enterprise network applications through a VPN or ZTNA, it’s important to assess its endpoint posture. An endpoint’s posture refers to how compliant an endpoint is with corporate policy security requirements. These include:

• Antivirus software
• Anti-spyware software
• Password complexity requirements
• Software update frequency settings

While VPNs don’t consider the risks posed by end-user devices and apps after they’ve granted access, ZTNA does. ZTNA continuously monitors all endpoints after connecting to the enterprise network by validating their security posture.

Visibility into user activity

ZTNA provides a granular level of visibility into user activities across apps and services, making unusual behavior and malicious intent easier to detect. When an employee takes actions outside of approved apps or services, there’s a better chance that IT will know about it because ZTNA operates at the level of individual applications or services.

Since VPNs don’t offer application-level control, they lack such visibility into users’ actions once they are inside the private network.

5 benefits of implementing ZTNA

ZTNA offers enormous benefits to organizations, including enhanced compliance, improved security posture and agility, and application microsegmentation.

Enhanced compliance

Since it requires users to authenticate each time they want to access data in any given application, ZTNA allows an organization to more easily adhere to regulatory requirements, such as PCI DSS, GDPR, HIPAA/HITECH, and NIST SP 800-53A. It ensures employees don’t purposely or inadvertently skirt compliance or sacrifice data protection.

Securing access to legacy applications

By enabling encrypted connections and providing the same degree of security benefits as web apps, ZTNA can be used to enhance the security of legacy applications running in private data centers or on-premises servers.

Application microsegmentation

With ZTNA, companies can create a software-defined perimeter (SDP) that utilizes identity and access management (IAM) technologies to segment their application environments. This technique allows companies to divide their network into multiple microsegments to prevent lateral threat movement and reduce the attack surface by compartmentalizing business-critical assets.

Agile security posture

The agile security posture provided by ZTNA enables companies to quickly change their defense tactics rapidly based on an evolving cyberthreat landscape.

Makes applications invisible

ZTNA creates a virtual darknet that prohibits app availability on the public internet. In addition, ZTNA monitors the data access patterns of all applications, which helps minimize risk and secure enterprises against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, data leakage, and other cyberattacks.

What are the main challenges of ZTNA?

While ZTNA offers many benefits, it also has some drawbacks and challenges that are worth noting in order to get ahead of them. They include complex implementation, adoption and training, decreased productivity, and impacts on performance.

• Implementation complexity: Implementing a ZTNA solution can be complex, especially for organizations with existing legacy systems and complex network architectures.
• Adoption and training: Transitioning to a ZTNA model may require significant changes in an organization’s security practices and user behavior. Training employees on the new access methods and addressing resistance to change can be challenging.
• Decreased productivity: Similarly, the additional authentication requirements require employees to spend more time logging in and requesting access to critical business applications, and even occasionally getting locked out of them due to false positives.
• Continuous updates and maintenance: ZTNA requires constant monitoring, updates, and maintenance to stay effective against evolving security threats. Organizations must proactively manage and upgrade their ZTNA infrastructure to ensure its efficacy.
• Performance impact: ZTNA typically involves routing traffic through intermediaries, which can introduce additional latency. This performance impact may be acceptable for certain applications or users, but it can be challenging for latency-sensitive or bandwidth-intensive applications.

Top zero trust network access use cases

ZTNA can be used effectively for everything from authentication and access control to visibility and analysis, and even data loss prevention (DLP) and enforcement.

Authentication and access

Rather than a single credential or point of access, users in a zero-trust network have to authenticate themselves at every login session to gain access to specific data resources on a given system. So, for example, they might be able only to see certain files stored on one server rather than having all files visible.

User account management

ZTNA changes how user accounts are managed by creating different control and access policies for different types of users, such as contractors, suppliers, vendors, customers, and partners, with varying levels of access to sensitive information within an organization’s network.

Visibility and analysis

A zero-trust approach enables tracking of both authorized and unauthorized activity across the enterprise’s various assets (systems and databases). This enables organizations to detect anomalous behavior to protect against threats before any damage occurs.

Integrating ZTNA into a secure access service edge (SASE) solution helps organizations to get the most out of their investment in this technology. When implemented correctly, SASE solutions will provide granular visibility and automate actions based on preconfigured rules around risks and vulnerabilities. As a result, security teams can now manage risk proactively through automation rather than reactively through manual intervention.

Real-time data loss prevention (DLP) inspection and enforcement

ZTNA offers organizations real-time DLP inspection capabilities. Continuous monitoring enables detection and mitigation of internal threats without needing constant scanning that could overwhelm IT infrastructure.

Organizations can identify who is accessing what content, when it was accessed, and where the access originated with greater detail, empowering them to make better decisions about what should be shared internally and externally.

Remote access from any device, including unmanaged BYOD devices

Mobile employees, remote office workers, and visiting guests may be required to access company networks remotely through the internet or a VPN. Zero trust networking can support this requirement by implementing multifactor authentication (MFA) for remote connections and encrypting traffic to protect intellectual property.

With the help of strong authentication, enterprises can maintain strict compliance requirements and data privacy laws while preventing malicious attacks and blocking malware on their networks.

ZTNA 1.0 vs. ZTNA 2.0 

Cybersecurity juggernauts Palo Alto Networks introduced ZTNA 2.0 in early 2022 as a way to improve on weaknesses in ZTNA 1.0’s least privilege application.

When access is granted in traditional ZTNA 1.0, the model is blind to whatever the user or application does within the overall enterprise system.

ZTNA 2.0 adopts a much stricter “never trust, always verify” principle. It eliminates the concept of trust entirely, limiting lateral movement and minimizing the attack surface area by continuously verifying trust based on changes in device posture, user behavior, and app behavior.

Analysts are somewhat divided on whether ZTNA 2.0 is a marketing buzzword or a truly revolutionary development of the technology. Although ZTNA 2.0 undeniably addresses flaws in the original application of ZTNA principles, it’s worth noting that most other zero trust organizations have implemented many of the same improvements as ZTNA 2.0 under other names.

Should your organization use ZTNA?

Implementing a ZTNA approach in your organization depends on your current security needs and posture. You should consider ZTNA if:

• You have a remote workforce.
• You have compliance needs.
• Your organization faces high cybersecurity threats.
• Your network is complex and extends beyond local area networks (LANs) to include partner networks, cloud environments, and remote staff.

To maintain a progressive attitude towards security, if your organization views cybersecurity as a top priority, you may want to use ZTNA to protect organizational assets from threats.

How to implement ZTNA

In order to build a zero trust network, enterprises should follow the ZTNA principle to identify, classify, and authenticate users accessing their networks. 

ZTNA can be deployed as a standalone solution or ZTNA as a service. The former requires organizations to build their ZTNA infrastructure and work independently in configuring an identity management system and deploying network access control (NAC) devices.

The latter, on the other hand, offers a quick way to deploy ZTNA via third-party vendors. With this approach, organizations must purchase a software license from these providers and install it on their servers to enable centralized management of all endpoints in the organization’s network.

Bottom line: Protecting your data with ZTNA

The decision to implement ZTNA as part of your organization’s security strategy depends on your specific needs and circumstances. However, doing so will ultimately strengthen your infrastructure and manage user and application access to your network.

Even if you have other security systems in place, you can’t be over-protected, as each type of security measure offers unique capabilities. Adding ZTNA to your security strategy will not only control access to sensitive data, but it will also reduce the attack surface and simplify your IT operation.

If you’re considering implementing zero trust in your organization, start with our guide to the best ZTNA solutions available today.

The post What Is Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)? Ultimate Guide appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

How virtual private networks work

A VPN hides an IP address from outside observers. By routing your internet connection through an encrypted tunnel, you can pretend to be in another country. For example, if you’re in the U.S. but connect to a VPN server in Canada, websites will think you’re logging on from there. It also makes it much harder for internet service providers (ISPs) to monitor what you do online, and you can get around geo-blocks that restrict content based on location.

A VPN uses encryption to scramble all traffic until it reaches the VPN server, where that data is unscrambled and sent to its destination. That means an ISP — or any other party — has no idea what’s going on inside the encrypted tunnel.

When used with HTTPS websites like banks, ecommerce, or other sensitive sites, this can help protect data like passwords or payment information as they go across public networks. VPNs are also useful when traveling abroad, allowing users to avoid connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots.

What are VPN protocols?

VPN protocols are rules governing how information is exchanged between two or more networks. The most common types of VPN protocols are OpenVPN, Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP), Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP), and Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2).

These protocols can create encrypted tunnels to connect remote computers as if they were on the same local network. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so it’s essential to find one that suits your needs for security and usability.

• PPTP has the lowest latency with the broadest compatibility, but it has some data encryption limitations.
• L2TP/IPsec has better data encryption capabilities than PPTP but with higher latency.
• SSTP provides the best data encryption available but may be limited by lack of support in some applications.
• IKEv2 offers strong security while keeping the connection very stable, which makes it suitable for mobile devices.
• OpenVPN was developed as an open-source alternative that functions well on both wireless and wired connections and supports multiple forms of authentication, including via a pre-shared key, certificate, or username/password combination method.

How does VPN encryption work?

VPN encryption is a process of transforming readable data into an unreadable format. This is done using algorithms, which make it impossible for anyone who does not have the key to decode the information. When you connect to a VPN, your computer sends a request to the VPN server to establish a connection.

Once the connection is made, your traffic is routed through the secure tunnel between your computer and the VPN server. This ensures your data is protected from eavesdroppers and anyone else who might try to snoop on your traffic. This process helps to protect sensitive information, like financial details or personal data, from being accessed by unauthorized individuals.

What is VPN tunneling?

In the physical world, a tunnel is an underground passage or an enclosed pathway that allows people (or, in the networking space, a VPN packet) to travel beneath an obstacle (i.e., malicious actors) to their destination. 

In VPNs, tunneling is the process of encapsulating and encrypting network traffic within a secure “tunnel” or VPN connection. The primary purpose of VPN tunneling is to ensure privacy, security, and anonymity while transmitting data over the internet.

6 benefits of VPNs 

The obvious upside to a VPN service is that it provides privacy by keeping user activity out of prying eyes. Some of the means and results of this process include secure data transfer, encryption, IP anonymity, device protection, streaming availability, and private browsing.

1. Secure data transfer

A VPN ensures no one can track you. Data shared while connected to public Wi-Fi networks like cafes, airports, and hotels are not encrypted. Using a VPN service with robust encryption protocols, you can securely browse public Wi-Fi without worrying about anyone intercepting your personal information. With a VPN, all data sent to and from the device is protected by military-grade 256-bit AES-GCM cipher encryption.

2. Encryption

Whether it’s email, instant messages, social media apps, banking apps, or browsing history — all sensitive content will be protected against interception when running over a secure VPN connection.

With a VPN, data is encrypted before it leaves the device. Once it reaches the server, it gets decrypted, which means anyone who intercepts the data will only see gibberish. In other words, your data stays safe and private because you’re the only person with access to it.

3. Hidden IP address and location

When using a VPN for private browsing, you’re assigned an anonymous IP address instead of a real one, allowing you to maintain online privacy and security. This extends to spoofing your physical location: If you’re connecting to a VPN server in another country, everything you do online will appear to come from the country where the VPN server is located.

4. Device protection

VPN connections allow you to take control of their digital privacy and safety, whether at home or traveling. Connecting to a VPN server stops people from snooping on your activities between other devices (PCs and laptops) and public Wi-Fi hotspots.

5. Allows you to stream from anywhere

Some movie and TV streaming services put geographical restrictions on what programs you can watch based on your IP address. To avoid this problem, some users connect to a VPN server outside of their country. 

However, streaming services often try to block VPNs due to licensing agreements. To bypass these limitations subscribe to a provider that offers dedicated IP addresses.

6. Hides your web activities and avoids censorship

VPNs provide an extra layer of protection by keeping your web activities anonymous and helping you maintain internet freedom. They help protect your data, identity, and location. If you’re using a VPN to protect your data, you don’t have to worry about your ISP tracking your activity. Importantly, they also enable citizens of repressive countries to evade government surveillance and geo-blocking.

Types of VPN

There are various types of VPNs. The four main types include personal VPNs, mobile VPNs, remote access VPNs, and site-to-site VPNs.

• Personal VPN services: This type is designed for the average internet user. It allows you to stream movies unavailable in your location, evade web censorship, hide IP addresses, and prevent outsiders from snooping on your activities online.
• Mobile VPNs: These allow users to access corporate data and other applications from anywhere, preserving the security and privacy of the data. This type of VPN is ideal for remote employees due to its ability to persist during sessions across physical connectivity changes like lost connectivity or network switches.
• Remote access VPNs: Sometimes called client-based VPNs or client-to-server VPNs, these are usually used by telecommuters, mobile workers, and remote employees who need to access internal resources securely in order to connect remotely to a work network.
• Site-to-site VPNs: These are commonly used by organizations to connect multiple remote sites to a single, secure network. A site-to-site VPN is ideal for companies with different branches, allowing each site to access shared resources from any of the other connected sites.

Who needs a VPN?

Nothing is guaranteed in the world of cybersecurity, but you want an unrestricted internet experience with dependable safety and security, a VPN service is one of your best bets.

A VPN is ideal for you if you need to do any of the following:

• Encrypt your internet connection
• Perform secure data transfer
• Protect your identity online
• Bypass geo-restrictions
• Unblock websites

A VPN helps you stay safe online by encrypting your data, browsing history, passwords, and more. All of this information is encrypted and sent to the server you choose. Your IP address will also be masked, so it cannot be traced back to you.

A VPN provides security and privacy and has many uses, such as staying anonymous while surfing the web or downloading files, hiding from firewalls, getting around content restrictions, protecting yourself from cybercrime, and more.

Note that a VPN does not protect you from any malware or viruses contained in any downloaded files or executable websites. You’ll need a dependable antivirus tool for that.

4 VPN alternatives for businesses

Although a VPN is a solid network security solution, it may not offer enough security for your enterprise network. Here are other noteworthy alternatives to VPNs for secure remote access and data protection, including virtual desktops, zero trust, software-defined perimeters, and cloud access security brokers (CASBs).

In some cases, you’ll want to choose the best of these solutions for your network — but for the utmost protection, you may want to implement several on your network concurrently.

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

A VDI is a type of remote desktop virtualization that enables users to securely connect to a fully virtual workspace hosted on a centralized server. This lets you and your employees access enterprise applications on any device, including desktop PC, mobile device, or thin client.

VDI use cases include third-party access, regulatory compliance, call centers, and remote work.

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

The concept of ZTNA is simple: no one person or application should be trusted until they verify their identity to prove their legitimacy. This security framework focuses on verifying the identity and trustworthiness of users and devices before granting access to enterprise resources.

Instead of granting broad access like a traditional VPN, ZTNA provides more granular and context-aware access controls. ZTNA solutions typically use strong authentication, microsegmentation, and encrypted tunnels to protect data.

Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP)

SDP is another security model offering a more fine-grained access control approach. It creates a “black cloud” around each application, making them invisible and inaccessible to unauthorized users. Users and devices must be authenticated and authorized before accessing specific applications or resources.

Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs)

CASBs act as intermediaries between users and cloud services, providing additional security and control. They offer data encryption, access control, threat protection, and data loss prevention features. CASBs can help protect data when accessing cloud-based applications and services without relying solely on a VPN.

Bottom line: VPN benefits in the enterprise

VPN is one of the best ways to secure your network from cyberthreats. While VPNs have proven to be a reliable security measure, they aren’t a foolproof network protection strategy. It’s best to use one in tandem with other security solutions, such as CASBs, data loss prevention tools, and zero trust network access, among others.

When it comes to protecting your network from malicious actors, you can’t afford to take any chances. Investing in comprehensive security solutions is the best way to ensure your organization remains secure.

There are tons of VPNs on the market today. Here’s our guide to the best VPN services to secure your enterprise network.

The post VPN Beginner’s Guide: What Is a VPN? Definition and Benefits appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

While cybersecurity investments may help protect enterprise networks against technical weaknesses and prevent bad actors from gaining unauthorized access to critical systems, these efforts can be undermined by an attack leveraging social engineering techniques.

Verizon’s 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) revealed that about 74% of breaches involved the human element, which includes social engineering attacks, errors, or misuse. And in IBM’s cost of data breach report, the company reported that data breaches with social engineering as the initial attack vector cost an average of $4.10 million.

Since social engineering attacks are so common and costly, employees and organizations must know how to protect themselves against them. Here are seven tips to keep your company’s networks and data safe from social engineering.

1. Educate yourself and your employees

Social engineers trick you into believing their deception. The more you’re familiar with various social engineering techniques, the less likely you will be to fall victim to them. 

Bad actors engage in various tactics to conceal their true reason for contacting you; being well informed can help you avoid falling victim to them. Educating yourself and your employees regularly on common threats is vital as hackers constantly evolve their strategies. Conduct frequent awareness trainings — and if your company has a standard operating procedure, follow it to the letter.

2. Be skeptical of unsolicited communication

Be suspicious of all emails, phone calls, messages, or other forms of communication from people you don’t know. You can’t be too careful when it comes to preventing cyberattacks. When someone requests personal or confidential information, verify the request’s legitimacy through alternate channels before sharing sensitive data. 

Social engineers can pose as IT support staff or executive team members and ask you for personal information, so even when the request appears to come from a legitimate sender, only accept their request after independently verifying it and double-checking the credentials. 

Look out for what you may have missed in the email address; the letter “i” may be written as “l,” “o” may be written as “0”, and “m” may be written as “rn.” You can also take additional steps to contact someone else in the same department or company to confirm if the email or phone call originated from the said staff.

3. Use a good spam filter

Spam filtering services flag suspicious emails and send them to your spam folder. Email service providers such as Office365 and Gmail scan all your emails for spam by default; when they detect spam messages, they send them to your spam folder, while legitimate emails are delivered to your inbox. 

You can also use third-party spam filtering tools to detect malicious emails, including links and attachments. These tools usually include various features, such as encryption, quarantine, allow/blocklist, fraud detection, email recovery, and email routing.

4. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Most account-based services now allow two-factor authentication (2FA) or MFA. Activate these wherever possible, as they add an extra layer of security by requiring more than just a password to access your accounts. This could involve a fingerprint scan, a unique code from an authentication app, or a physical token.

Additionally, create strong, complex passwords for your online accounts and ensure each account has a unique password. Consider using a password manager to help you generate and manage passwords securely.

5. Be mindful of sharing information on social media

Social engineers track your digital footprints to gather information about you, hence the need to limit the personal information you share on social media platforms. Information like your address, phone number, date of birth, and other personal details should be kept private to prevent malicious actors from using it against you.

6. Keep software updated

Cybercriminals exploit security vulnerabilities in computer systems to launch social engineering attacks. Outdated software is a vulnerability source for bad actors. Software updates usually include security patches for previous version vulnerabilities, hence the need to regularly update your devices and install patches as soon as they become available.

7. Monitor critical systems and identify which assets may attract criminals

By regularly monitoring critical systems, you can identify vulnerabilities, detect unauthorized access attempts, and protect your critical assets. Here’s a step-by-step process to help you monitor critical systems and identify assets that may attract criminals:

1. Determine which systems and assets are essential for your organization’s operations.
2. Implement system monitoring tools.
3. Establish baseline behavior.
4. Implement real-time alerts.
5. Conduct log analysis and security audits.
6. Monitor user access and privileges.
7. Conduct periodic penetration tests to simulate real-world attacks and identify vulnerabilities in your critical systems.

5 social engineering prevention tips

Preventing social engineering attacks requires awareness, vigilance, and proactive measures. Adhering to basic preventative measures can enhance your defenses against the schemes used by social engineers.

• Think before you click a link from an unknown source. Be wary of email attachments and links. Never click a link from an unverified source.
• Research who is providing a link. Always independently verify the communication source. If someone claims to be IT support and requests personal information, contact their company to verify their credentials, and if it’s from your company, double-check with the person or a team member just to be sure.
• Don’t download random files. Be wary of downloadable content, especially from unknown sources. Social engineers sometimes use files to spread malware, harvest credentials, and gain access to systems and data.
• Be cautious if you notice unnecessary urgency. Don’t give in to unfamiliar requests. If someone attempts to pressure you into releasing sensitive information quickly without a valid reason, take the time to verify their identity and the reason for the urgency.
• Use web filtering. Block inappropriate and malicious websites from your network and use monitoring solutions to detect suspicious behavior.

3 common examples of socially engineered attacks

There are many different ways social engineers can trick you into giving away your personal information. Some of the most common include pretexting, baiting, and of course, phishing.

Pretexting

Malicious actors try to convince their victims with a fabricated story or pretext to give up valuable information they otherwise wouldn’t. People usually fall victim to this tactic because the social engineer casts themselves as someone with authority to request the information they ask the victim for. Some common scams carried out using pretexing include:

• Business email compromise (BEC) scams
• Account update scams
• Romance scams
• IRS/government scams
• Cryptocurrency scams
• Grandparent scams

Baiting

When an offer seems too good to be true, it usually is. In this case, the attacker baits their victims with desirable or appealing offers, such as free gifts. They may ask the victim to complete certain challenges to get their prize or click on a link to download malicious software disguised as legitimate. Once the bait is taken, the scam artists gain unauthorized access to the victim’s system or extract sensitive information.

Phishing

Phishing is the most common socially engineered attack by far — but that doesn’t mean it’s the easiest to spot. In fact, its widespread use is a testament to its effectiveness.

In a phishing attack, a scam artist impersonates a legitimate entity like a bank, online service, or other organization, and tricks the recipient into revealing sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or login credentials through fraudulent solicitation in email, text, or phone call.

There are various types of phishing scam. Some of the most common include:

• Email phishing: The attacker sends an email that appears to be from a legitimate entity.
• Spear phishing: A targeted attempt to steal confidential information after conducting extensive research about the victim.
• Smishing: Smishing, or SMS phishing, involves sending fraudulent text messages to deceive recipients into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or sending money to cybercriminals.
• Vishing: Vishing (voice or VoIP phishing) is when attackers use voice communication, typically phone calls, to deceive victims into disclosing sensitive information to an unauthorized person.

Bottom line: Preventing social engineering attacks

Social engineers are constantly evolving their tricks to get victims to disclose personal information. The best defense, other than the standard network security protocols you should always have in place, is simply knowing what to look for. 

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can prevent socially engineered attacks and proactively save your company millions of dollars.

For further protection against social engineering, here are eight tips to prevent phishing attacks at your company. Having a strong network detection and response solution can help detect illicit activity as it happens.

The post 7 Ways to Protect Yourself from Social Engineering Attacks appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

According to PurpleSec, 98% of cyberattacks rely to some extent on social engineering. Antivirus tools, while always helpful, are insufficient to protect against these threats. Enterprises need to develop comprehensive security awareness training programs that include components for addressing social engineering threats.

This guide will describe social engineering and how it works and provide recommendations for defending against these attacks.

Social engineering attack life cycle

A social engineering attack is typically carried out in four stages: investigation, hook, play, and exit.

Investigation

Once a malicious actor identifies a target or victim, they start to gather as much information as possible about the individual. This process is also known as the information gathering stage.

The social engineer scouts for information available in the public domain such as names, titles, areas of interests, address, social media, and other personal data that could help them carry out an attack.

Hook or relationship development

After gaining intelligence about their victims, they make contact via social media, email, phone calls, text or other available mediums to establish relationships and ultimately gain their victim’s trust.

Play

Social engineers expand their foothold in this stage and start to exploit the vulnerabilities they find while developing a relationship with the victim.

They may send a link that looks legitimate and encourage the victim to click it, giving the attacker access to confidential data.

They might also attempt to manipulate victims into taking specific actions, such as transferring money, making purchases, canceling orders, or divulging more sensitive information.

Exit

After a successful attack, social engineers usually attempt to cover their tracks to prevent detection and prosecution. They may delete logs, encrypt data, or use stolen credentials to commit additional crimes.

7 types of social engineering attacks

There are several different types of social engineering attacks, including phishing, baiting, tailgating, pretexting, and more — each with a different methodology. These attack methods can be used to access valuable and sensitive information from your organization or its employees.

Phishing 

By far the most common type of socially engineered attack, phishing occurs when an attacker uses deception to trick people into disclosing personal information such as usernames, passwords, or credit card details.

Phishing attacks typically come via email or instant messaging. Some types of phishing include:

• Vishing: Voice-based phishing that uses interactive voice response systems.
• Spear phishing: Phishing attacks targeting specific organizations or individuals.
• Angler phishing: Attacks carried out via spoof customer service accounts on social media.
• Smishing: SMS-based phishing.

Baiting

Baiting is another social engineering attack where an attacker lures their victim by offering something they want. This bait could be a new job offer, free tickets to a music festival, free merchandise, or infected devices.

The key here is that baiting involves enticing victims with something they want or need in order to encourage them to disclose confidential information.

Tailgating

A tailgater is a person who follows closely behind someone else through an open door or gate without permission. For example, in computer security, tailgating occurs when an unauthorized person gains entry to a secure area by following closely behind an authorized person with valid entry credentials.

It is often described as the art of sneaking into places because it relies on misdirection and concealment rather than brute force. It relies on the natural goodwill of people to be helpful to strangers who may have lost or forgotten their credentials.

Whaling

Whaling is a type of social engineering attack aimed at C-level executives. These attacks typically involve impersonation, and they’re meant to exploit greed, carelessness, and even desperation.

When well executed, this type of attack can be particularly effective because C-suite executives usually have higher clearance levels and more resources at their disposal.

Pretexting and quid pro quo

One of the more insidious forms of social engineering attacks is pretexting. A pretext is an excuse to justify a request for information, especially over a phone call or email conversation.

Quid pro quo (literally “something for something” in Latin) is a social engineering attack whereby the attacker makes a seemingly harmless request and offers something of value.

Scareware 

This social engineering attack is used to scare users into purchasing software or services they don’t need. Scareware is a form of malware that creates a sense of urgency by lying to and alarming end users with exaggerated claims of infection, infestation, or imminent danger.

Business email compromise (BEC)

BEC is a type of social engineering attack that targets business email accounts, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most dangerous threats to businesses.

According to the FBI Internet Crime Report 2022, the IC3 received 21,832 BEC complaints with adjusted losses of over $2.7 billion in 2022.

Companies must implement measures to verify and validate payments and purchase requests outside of email to avoid BEC attacks.

7 best practices for preventing social engineering

Social engineering attacks can be deceptively easy to pull off. However, there are several methods, such as staying on top of education and training efforts and implementing strong password and multifactor authentication policies, that savvy information security professionals — and other employees — can use to stay ahead of these schemes.

Here are some social engineering best practices that could help:

Educate employees about social engineering attacks

If your employees don’t know what a social engineering attack is, they won’t recognize it when it happens. Educating them on what an attack looks like, what red flags they should look out for, and who they should report suspicious activity to will help keep your organization safe.

Train employees on proper security behavior

After you educate your employees about potential threats, teach them how to handle those situations appropriately with hands-on training opportunities.

For example, teach them not to open attachments from unknown senders; if something seems fishy, contact IT immediately; and never give personal information over email or phone unless they verify the requestor’s identity.

Simulate a social engineering attack

Simulating a social engineering scenario within the organization is a good test to see how employees respond to an attack. This process can be carried out without giving employees prior notice; the percentage of pass versus fail will give companies an idea of how well the staff are prepared and areas that could use some improvement.

It’s important not to use this test as a means of retaliating against noncompliant employees. Instead, use it as a barometer across the organization to determine the overall effectiveness of your training initiatives, and where you may need to focus on additional remediation.

Implement strong password policies

Strong passwords require special characters, upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. In addition, they must be at least 12 to 16 characters long and changed every three months.

Weak passwords, on the other hand, include birthdays, names of family members or pets, and easily guessed words found in dictionaries.

Changing your password regularly makes it harder for social engineers to guess or crack your password and access your accounts. Use a password manager to help you create and store secure passwords.

Use two-factor or multifactor authentication (2FA or MFA)

MFA adds another layer of protection by requiring users to verify their identity through another method besides just a username and password. This often involves entering a code sent via text message or receiving an automated call before being granted access, but it could be any number of items, including tokens, biometrics, smart cards, or even retina scans.

Limit employee access privileges

Limiting an employee’s access to only what they need for their job reduces opportunities to accidentally or intentionally expose sensitive information. Also, giving employees access to sensitive information only on a need-to-know basis will help prevent them from inadvertently or deliberately sharing that information with others.

Regularly update software with patches

Regularly updating software ensures that all known vulnerabilities have been addressed. Patches are designed to fix security holes in software, but hackers can exploit them if they aren’t installed, so install patches as soon as they become available.

Bottom line: Social engineering attack prevention

Malicious actors constantly upgrade their social engineering techniques and devise new means to gain victims’ trust. Companies must educate their employees regularly to prevent these occurrences, in addition to maintaining strong password health, access controls, and a robust antivirus solution.

A managed security provider (MSP) can help your organization monitor and improve your overall security stack. Here are the best MSPs to help protect your networks and data.

The post What Are Social Engineering Attacks? Types and Prevention Tips appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

By exploring the following top firewall solutions, enterprises can make an informed decision to fortify their network defenses and safeguard critical assets from ever-evolving cyber threats.

• Palo Alto Networks: Best all-in-one enterprise firewall solution (Read more)
• Check Point Quantum: Best for connected devices (Read more)
• Fortinet FortiGate: Best for flexibility and scalability (Read more)
• Juniper Networks: Best for logging and reporting (Read more)
• Cisco Secure Firewall: Best for centralized management (Read more)
• Zscaler: Best for businesses with cloud network infrastructure (Read more)
• pfSense: Best open source firewall (Read more)

Best firewall solutions for enterprises: Comparison chart

Jump to:

• Key features of enterprise firewall software
• Benefits of working with enterprise firewalls
• How do I choose the best enterprise firewall solution for my business?
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Methodology

Palo Alto Networks

Best overall enterprise firewall

Palo Alto is a leading network security provider of advanced firewall solutions and a wide range of network security services.

The company offers various firewall solutions for various enterprise use cases, including cloud next generation firewalls, virtual machine series for public and private clouds, container series for Kubernetes and container engines like Docker, and its PA-series appliances designed for data centers, network edge, service providers, remote branches and retail locations, and harsh industrial sites.

These firewalls provide enhanced visibility, control, and threat prevention capabilities to protect networks from various cyber threats, including malware, viruses, intrusions, and advanced persistent threats (APTs).

Pricing

Palo Alto doesn’t advertise its product pricing on its website. Our research found that the Palo Alto PA-series price range from $2,900 to $200,000 (more or less). To get the actual rates for your enterprise, contact the company’s sales team for custom quotes.

Standout features

• Advanced threat prevention.
• Advanced URL filtering.
• Domain name service (DNS) security.
• Medical IoT security.
• Enterprise data loss prevention (DLP).
• Up to 245 million IPv4 OR IPv6 sessions.

Pros

• Provides visibility across IoT and other connected devices.
• Provides visibility across ​​physical, virtualized, containerized and cloud environments.
• Offers a variety of products for different business sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises.
• Easy-to-navigate dashboard and management console.

Cons

• Complex initial setup.
• Some users reported that the Palo Alto license is pricey.

Check Point Quantum

Best for connected devices

Check Point is an Israeli multinational company that develops and sells software and hardware products related to network, endpoint, cloud, and data security.

Check Point Quantum is designed to protect against advanced cyber threats, targeting Gen V cyber attacks. This solution encompasses various components to safeguard networks, cloud environments, data centers, IoT devices, and remote users.

Check Point’s SandBlast technology employs advanced threat intelligence, sandboxing, and real-time threat emulation to detect and prevent sophisticated attacks, including zero-day exploits, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats.

Pricing

Check Point does not publicly post pricing information on its website. Data from resellers shows that Check Point products can range from around $62 for a basic solution to over $50,000 for an enterprise-level solution. Contact the Check Point sales team for your actual quotes.

Standout features

• URL filtering.
• DLP.
• Full active-active redundancy.
• Zero-trust protection for IoT devices.
• Check Point Quantum protects against GenV attacks.
• Advanced threat protection.

Pros

• 24/7 customer service and support.
• Easy to setup and use.
• Management platform with automation features.
• Sandblast protection for testing malware.

Cons

• Users reported that the Check Point firewall is expensive.
• Documentation can be improved.

Fortinet FortiGate

Best for flexibility and scalability

Fortinet offers various firewall products for different organization sizes, from home offices to large enterprises.

The FortiGate 7000 series (FG-7121F, FG-7081F, FG-7081F-2, FIM-7921F, FIM-7941F, and FPM-7620F) is an enterprise firewall product that provides high-performance network security. It is designed for organizations with high network traffic volumes and that have to manage large network infrastructures.

This firewall series is powered by a Security Processing Unit (SPU) of up to 520Gbps and also includes the latest NP7 (Network Processor 7) and CP9 (Content Processor 9).

Pricing

Fortinet’s FortiGate firewall tool pricing is available upon request. Pricing will depend on various factors, including the size of the network, the number of users, and the types of security features needed. Contact a Fortinet representative for pricing and product information.

Standout features

• Protects IT, IIoT, and OT devices against vulnerability and device-based attack tactics.
• FortiGate 7000F series provides NGFW, segmentation, secure SD-WAN, and mobile security for 4G, 5G, and IoT.
• Offers various types of firewalls, including container firewalls, virtual firewalls and hardware firewall appliances.
• Zero Touch Integration with Fortinet’s Security Fabric Single Pane of Glass Management.

Pros

• Integrations with over 500 third-party services.
• AI-powered capabilities.
• Users reported that the tool is user-friendly.

Cons

• Support can be improved.
• Its reporting feature can be improved.

Juniper Networks

Best for logging and reporting capability

Juniper Networks’ firewall helps enterprises protect their network edge, data center, and cloud applications.

The company is also known for its Junos operating system (OS), a scalable network OS that powers Juniper Networks devices. Junos provides advanced routing, switching, and security capabilities and allows for seamless integration with third-party software and applications.

Juniper Networks vSRX virtual firewall provides enhanced security for Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, IBM Cloud, and Oracle Cloud environments, while its cSRX Container Firewall offers advanced security services to secure applications running in containers and microservices. The company’s SRX firewalls series is designed for various organization sizes, from small to large enterprises.

Pricing

Juniper Network pricing is available on request. However, they offer different license methods, including Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) and Bring-Your-Own-License (BYOL) options for public clouds. Contact the company’s sales team for custom quotes.

Standout features

• Juniper Network has various types of firewalls, including container firewalls, virtual firewalls and hardware firewall appliances.
• Public cloud workload protection, including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
• Logging and reporting capability.
• Supports VMware ESXi, NSX, and KVM (Centos, Ubuntu).

Pros

• Advanced threat prevention capability.
• Deployable on-premises and cloud environments.

Cons

• Support can be improved.
• Users report that some Juniper Networks firewall products are expensive.

Cisco Secure Firewall

Best for centralized management

Cisco Secure Firewall combines firewall capabilities with advanced security features to protect networks from various threats, including unauthorized access, malware, and data breaches.

Cisco Secure Firewall integrates with Cisco Talos, a threat intelligence research team. This collaboration enables the firewall to receive real-time threat intelligence updates, enhancing its ability to identify and block emerging threats.

Cisco Secure Firewall can be centrally managed through Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC). This management console provides a unified interface for configuration, monitoring, and reporting, simplifying the administration of multiple firewalls across the network.

Pricing

Contact Cisco’s sales team for custom quotes.

Standout features

• IPS to protect against known threats.
• Web filtering.
• Network segmentation.
• Centralized management.

Pros

• Provides comprehensive visibility and control.
• Efficient support team.
• Highly scalable tool.

Cons

• Support can be improved.
• Complex initial setup.

Zscaler

Best for businesses with cloud network infrastructure

The Zscaler firewall provides cloud-based security for web and non-web traffic for all users and devices. Zscaler inspects all user traffic, including SSL encrypted traffic, with elastically scaling services to handle high volumes of long-lived connections.

One of the key advantages of Zscaler’s cloud-based approach is that it eliminates the need for on-premises hardware or software installations. Instead, organizations can leverage Zscaler’s infrastructure and services by redirecting their internet traffic to the Zscaler cloud. This makes scaling and managing security easier across distributed networks and remote users.

Pricing

Zscaler doesn’t advertise its rates on its website. However, data from resellers shows that its pricing starts from about $72 per user per year. For your actual rate, contact the Zscaler sales team for quotes.

Standout features

• Centralized policy management.
• Fully-integrated security services.
• Real-time granular control, logging, and visibility.
• User-aware and app-aware threat protection.
• Adaptive IPS security and control.
• File transfer protocol (FTP) control and network address translation (NAT) support.

Pros

• Easy to use and manage.
• AI-powered cyberthreat and data protection services.
• Always-on cloud intrusion prevention system (IPS).
• AI-powered phishing and C2 detection.

Cons

• Complex initial setup.
• Documentation can be improved.

pfSense

Best open-source firewall

pfSense is an open-source firewall and routing platform based on FreeBSD, an open-source Unix-like OS. It is designed to provide advanced networking and security features for small and large networks.

pfSense can be deployed as a physical appliance or as a virtual machine. pfSense offers many capabilities, including firewalling, VPN connectivity, traffic shaping, load balancing, DNS and DHCP services, and more.

Pricing

For pfSense cloud:

• pfSense on AWS: Pricing starts from $0.01 per hour to $0.40 per hour.
• pfSense on Azure: Pricing starts from $0.08 per hour to $0.24 per hour.

For pfSense software:

• pfSense CE: Open source version available to download for free.
• pfSense+ Home or Lab: Available at no cost for evaluation purposes only.
• pfSense+ W/TAC LITE: Currently available at no charge, but the vendor may increase the rate to $129 per year in the future. 
• pfSense+ W/TAC PRO: $399 per year.
• pfSense+ W/TAC ENT: $799 per year.

pfSense offers three hardware appliances tailored to the needs of large enterprises.

• Netgate 8200: Cost $1,395. It has 18.55 Gbps IPERF3 and 5.1 Gbps IMIX traffic speed.
• Netgate 1537: Cost $2,199. It has 18.62 Gbps(10k ACLs) IPERF3 and 10.24 Gbps (10k ACLs) IMIX traffic speed.
• Netgate 1541: Cost $2,899. It has 18.64 Gbps(10k ACLs) IPERF3 and 12.30 Gbps(10k ACLs) IMIX traffic speed.

Standout features

• NAT mapping (inbound/outbound).
• Captive portal guest network.
• Stateful packet inspection (SPI).

Pros

• Free open-source version.
• Community support.
• Anti-spoofing capability.

Cons

• Steep learning curve for administrators with limited experience.
• GUI is old-fashioned and could be simplified.

Key features of enterprise firewall software

There’s a wide variety of capabilities that enterprise firewall software can provide, but some of the key features to look for include packet filtering, stateful inspection, application awareness, logging and reporting capabilities, and integration with your existing security ecosystem.

Packet filtering

Firewall software examines incoming and outgoing network packets based on predefined rules and policies. It filters packets based on criteria such as source/destination IP addresses, ports, protocols, and packet attributes. This feature enables the firewall to block or allow network traffic based on the configured rules.

Stateful inspection

Enterprise firewalls employ stateful inspection to monitor network connections’ state and analyze traffic flow context. By maintaining information about the state of each connection, the firewall can make more informed decisions about which packets to allow or block.

Application awareness 

Modern firewall software often includes application awareness capabilities. It can identify specific applications or protocols within network traffic, allowing organizations to enforce granular policies based on the application or service used. This feature is handy for managing and securing web applications and controlling the use of specific services or applications.

Logging and reporting

Firewall software logs network events, including connection attempts, rule matches, and other security-related activities. Detailed logging enables organizations to analyze and investigate security incidents, track network usage, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Reporting capabilities help generate comprehensive reports for auditing, security analysis, and compliance purposes.

Integration with the security ecosystem

Firewall software is typically part of a broader security ecosystem within an organization. Integration with other security tools and technologies, such as antivirus software, threat intelligence platforms, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, and network access control (NAC) solutions, allows for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to network security.

Benefits of working with enterprise firewalls

Key advantages of enterprise firewall solutions include enhanced network security, threat mitigation, and access control, as well as traffic analytics data.

• Network security: Firewalls act as a protective barrier against external threats such as unauthorized access attempts, malware, and other malicious activity. Enforcing access control policies and modifying network traffic helps prevent unauthorized access and protect critical data.
• Threat mitigation: By combining intrusion prevention techniques, deep packet monitoring, and threat intelligence, a firewall can detect and block suspicious traffic, reducing the risk there that the network will be corrupted and damaged so
• Access control: Firewall software allows administrators to restrict or allow access to network resources, applications, and services based on specific user roles, departments, or needs. This ensures that only authorized people or systems can access the screen and its accessories.
• Traffic data and analytics: In addition to protecting your network, firewalls can also provide granular information about traffic and activity passing through your network, as well as its overall performance.

How do I choose the best enterprise firewall solution for my business?

When choosing the best enterprise firewall software for your business, consider the following factors.

• Security: Assess your organization’s specific security needs and requirements.
• Features: Evaluate the features and capabilities of firewall solutions, such as packet filtering, application awareness, intrusion prevention, VPN support, centralized management, and scalability. Consider the vendor’s reputation, expertise, and support services.
• Compatibility: Ensure compatibility with your existing network infrastructure and other security tools.
• Hands-on tests: Conduct a thorough evaluation of different firewall solutions through demos, trials, or proofs of concept to assess their performance, ease of use, and effectiveness in meeting your organization’s security goals.
• Total cost of ownership (TCO): Consider the cost, licensing models, and ongoing support and maintenance requirements.

By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision and select the best enterprise firewall software that aligns with your business needs and provides robust network security.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is an enterprise firewall different from a normal firewall?

Although they share many characteristics, an enterprise firewall is not the same as a consumer-grade firewall. Enterprise firewalls are designed to meet large organizations’ security needs and network infrastructure challenges. They are robust, scalable, and can handle high network traffic volumes and sophisticated threats, compared to generic firewalls for home or small office environments.

What is the strongest type of firewall?

A firewall’s strength depends on various factors, and no universally dependable firewall exists. A firewall’s effectiveness depends on its materials, configuration, and how well it fits into the organization’s security needs. 

That said, next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) provide improved security capabilities and are often considered the ideal firewall solution in today’s enterprise. NGFWs combine traditional firewall features with additional functionality such as application awareness, intrusion prevention, deep packet monitoring, and user-based policies. They provide advanced protection against modern threats with greater visibility and control over network traffic.

How do you set up an enterprise firewall?

Setting up an enterprise firewall involves several steps:

1. Determine your network topology.
2. Define security policies.
3. Plan firewall placement.
4. Configure firewall rules.
5. Implement VPN and remote access.
6. Test and monitor firewall performance.
7. Perform regular updates and maintenance.

We recommend engaging network security experts or reviewing vendor documentation and support materials for specific guidance in installing and configuring your enterprise firewall.

Methodology

The firewall solutions mentioned in this guide were selected based on extensive research and industry analysis. Factors such as industry reputation, customer reviews, infrastructure, and customer support were considered.

We also assessed the features and capabilities of the firewall solutions, including packet filtering, application awareness, intrusion prevention, DLP, centralized management, scalability, and integration with other security tools.

Also see

If you’re not sure one of the firewalls included here is right for your business, we also determined the best firewalls for SMBs, as well as the best software-based firewalls.

And once your firewall is in place, don’t neglect its maintenance. Here are the best firewall audit tools to keep an eye on its performance.

The post 7 Best Firewall Solutions for Enterprises in 2023 appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.