“Network perimeter defence strategies”

Network Perimeter Defense Strategies

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Network Perimeter Defense Strategies

The unprecedented development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT ) has resulted in a proliferation of networks . Almost all worthwhile organizations , irrespective of their nature and work area now have their own private networks that connect to the Internet Business transactions , information exchange , buying and selling are now all done over the Internet . Employees even access and work on a network from remote locations . Every private network is being accessed by a

br large number of people in the form of customers , information seekers business associates , employees , or simply as casual browsers . Hidden amongst these authentic or genuine users are those that stalk the Internet with harmful intent . Their objective could range from playing irritating pranks to more serious offences such as siphoning off money electronically , gaining access to confidential information and restricting services being offered on the network . Left unchecked , such attacks could have devastating consequences in the form of overall system and network crashes , business collapse and information and data compromise . The implications could be many . In the words of Nicholas Carr (2004 ) IT (network infrastructure ) disruptions are not only costly they can paralyze a company 's ability to make its products deliver its services , and connect with its customers , not to mention fouling its reputation (p . 131 . As technology improves so do the sophistication and effectiveness of security threats . In other words technological advances lend a network more susceptible to security attacks

The first thing that needs to be made very clear is what we mean by the term Network Perimeter . To put it in very simple terms , the line of demarcation between an organization 's internal network and the external network or the Internet is known as the Network Perimeter or the Network B . From the external point of view , it is the Network Perimeter through which an organization 's internal network is accessed . From the internal point of view , the Network Perimeter is the utmost extent up to which an organization retains control over its own information or data Though there is a tendency to define the Network Perimeter in terms of technology products , a definition based on the organization 's zone of authority conveys a much clearer picture . The network perimeter is the boundary where an organization 's information leaves its immediate direct control . there may be a tendency to define the network perimeter in terms of technology products . Specific products are of interest , but the network perimeter should be defined by an organization 's zone of authority . In more precise terms , the network perimeter should be thought of as the full set of entry points and exit points into and out of the network (Tipton Krause , 2004 ,

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Though the term network perimeter immediately identifies entry /exit components familiar to system administrators such as the connections to Internet Service Providers (ISPs , Remote Access Connections , Virtual Private Networks (VPNs , and connections to business partners there are nevertheless many...