Perimeter security cybersecurity is the notion of securing data and resources by installing functional apparatus or techniques at the network’s perimeter. It is a part of the larger security sector, but it plays a distinct function in active system protection.
Let us know more about perimeter security below.
What is Perimeter Security Cybersecurity?
Perimeter security cybersecurity is known as the first line of defense for a computer network. It prevents unauthorized access to the data and resources of a network.
Moreover, perimeter security includes hardware, software, and human elements.
Hardware perimeter security cybersecurity is implemented with network devices such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, routers, and switches.
Software perimeter security is designed with network access control software. For example, authentication, encryption technologies, and antivirus products.
Perimeter security also includes human elements such as passwords, user IDs, physical entry cards, video surveillance systems, guards, and alarm systems. Most companies have more than one of these hardware or software products that are used in conjunction with each other to create a strong defense system.
What is an Effective Perimeter Security?
An effective perimeter security plan involves more than just implementing the hardware or software products themselves. It requires the use of documentation. This is to keep track of what it is doing at the perimeter of the network. It also requires training for management on how to operate both the hardware and software effectively so that there are no holes in the defense system.
Perimeter security cyber threats are primary threats to any company’s IT infrastructure. These threats can come from outside sources through hacking or even inside sources through malicious employees within the company itself.
Besides, malicious hackers are constantly trying to breach secure networks by using various methods to gain access like guessing passwords or using brute force attacks using automated scripts that guess login credentials until they get in.
So once they do gain access they can either install malicious software on your network or steal valuable information like credit card numbers for example. Thus, it poses an enormous risk to companies all over the world.
How to Improve Perimeter Security?
Companies all over the world spend billions of dollars every year to protect their networks and data from hackers and cybercriminals. But despite all of this money and effort, most companies continue getting attacks.
This is because most of the time it is not a matter of securing your network or preventing an attack. But rather detecting it in time that determines whether your network will stay secure or not.
So how can you improve your perimeter security? There are certain steps that companies can take to improve their perimeter security. These include:
1) Understand the Threats:
The first thing you have to do to improve your perimeter security is to understand what threats you need protection from. There are 3 main threats that you have to be aware of:
a) Inside threats: These threats come from within your own company. Usually, they are due to malicious employees who have administrative rights over the company’s network.
So to protect yourself from these threats, you have to limit admin rights whenever possible. You also have to use complex passwords. This includes: for your employees and monitor their activities when they are active into the network.
b) Outside threats: These threats come from sources outside of your company’s network. They can even be from different countries. Hackers use many different methods to try and break into networks. This includes guessing passwords or using brute force attacks with automated scripts that guess login credentials until they get in.
Once they do gain access they can install malicious software on your network or steal valuable information like credit card numbers for example.
c) Malicious code: These threats include computer viruses, worms, trojans, adware, spyware, etc that might infect your computers or mobile devices and cause them to crash or become infected with viruses that can affect your entire business if not removed immediately.
So these 3 categories should help you determine what attacks you need protection from and what kind of defenses will be effective at protecting against them.
2) Use Antivirus Software:
Next, one of the best ways for companies to protect themselves against outside threats is by using antivirus software on all computers and mobile devices inside their network along with regular updates for this software as well as any other security patches available for your operating system (OS).
3) Use Firewalls:
Another way for companies to protect themselves against outside cyber-attacks is by using firewalls. Firewalls are special software that prevents unauthorized access to your network.
A firewall can be either hardware or software-based. Hardware-based firewalls are installed on the network itself, usually on the router itself, and they filter all of the traffic coming into and out of the network. Software-based firewalls are installed on each computer inside the network and they filter all of the traffic coming into or out of that computer.
4) Keep All Software Up-To-Date:
Another good way for companies to improve their perimeter security is by keeping all of their software up-to-date with security patches. For instance, especially operating systems like Windows or Mac OS X.
Conclusion: Do Not Ignore Perimeter Security
You cannot ignore your perimeter security because it is the first line of defense for your network. It is a part of a larger security sector, but it plays a distinct function in active system protection.
So perimeters are vulnerable to all types of attacks from malicious hackers and cybercriminals.
It is very important to have a good understanding of the threats that perimeters face. By doing so, you can better implement effective perimeter security measures.
