It’s one thing to have effective policies set up for your network, but you also have to know how to manage that in the long run. For the most part, policy management includes creating, enforcing, and monitoring access rules. Of course, it’s a bit more complex than that, as you also have to consider compliance with regulations and adjusting during the unexpected. So, what are the best practices for network security policy management?
A lot of it centers around navigating scalability challenges, as well as avoiding poor visibility that can lead to exploitations and misconfigurations. This article focuses on the best practices you need to know to keep your network security architecture in check.
What is the Best Way to Secure a Network Firewall?
If you want to work with effective cyber policies, then you’re going to need reliable firewall solutions to start. They’re a critical component to enforcing these policies, as well as having control over inbound and outbound traffic.
A first line of defense, firewalls, and network security go hand in hand in numerous ways. Offering a barrier between sensitive business data and external threats, the tech is part of how you put a layered security policy together in the first place.
Specific rules need to be put into place, such as access based on business needs. The least privilege principle is an important part of this discussion as well, not to mention the crucial integration of a zero-trust security model. Aside from the many layers of network security, there are several best practices pertaining to policy management that any business should know about.
1. Layered Firewall Policies
This comes with a focus on internal segments, as well as the edge of your network. Segmenting your internal departments helps to prevent lateral movement, and granular access control should be based on business-specific roles.
Taking this stance can do a lot for your threat containment, not to mention the full range of benefits firewall tech has to offer. Also referred to as a defense in depth model, layered firewall policies are just the start of your best practices.
2. Automating Audits and Rule Cleanup
Pertaining to lifecycle management tools and routine audits, automating this can keep you one step ahead of potential threats. Your audits should focus on identifying outdated or unused rules, and lifecycle management helps with reducing clutter in configurations. Always maintain compliance with industry standards, and do your best to prevent rule sprawl to minimize attack surfaces.
3. Role-Based Access
Beyond your general approach to firewall admin rights, these should also be based on specific job functions. This also reaches into separate duties between rule creation and approval.
Important details about rule-based access include:
- Limiting high-level permissions to certified personnel
- Enforcing MFA and least privilege access for firewall admins
- Role hierarchies focused on who can view, edit, or deploy configurations
- Maintaining a track record of all user interactions within the firewall system and your network
On a regular schedule, cyber security policy for small business operations, as well as enterprise-level companies, should review and update user roles. Regardless of company size, it’s crucial to make sure access permissions change alongside your team structure.
4. Rule Documentation Standards
Over time, you might encounter undocumented or legacy rules in your audits. Whether an undocumented mistake or outdated rule, this helps to reduce confusion among your workforce and network.
Consider making notes for rules along the way with information like its purpose, owner, and even expiration dates. Simplifying your audits and keeping a track record of change reviews is a helpful component of firewall and policy management.
5. Effective Monitoring Strategy
Real-time alerts are a must here, as this can provide rapid transparency on suspicious activity across the network. Centralizing, in addition to streamlining log analysis, can support automated detection, reducing manual intervention and keeping you one step ahead of a bigger problem.
Policy management also considers correlating firewall events with other data sources in your network. From endpoints to cloud applications and user authentication, identifying attack patterns requires eyes from multiple angles. You also don’t have to do it alone, as managed firewall services can handle most, if not all of this for you.
Let’s Wrap Up
Firewalls and network security policy management can be a complex topic, but once you get the ball rolling, it’s all about long-term upkeep. It does require consistent attention, and having an efficient management strategy can help to minimize the workload and vulnerabilities.
It also won’t be copy and paste for every organization out there, as it’s crucial to consider the exact scope of your network security demands. For a few more pointers on the topic, give us a shout to learn how you can effectively implement these best practices for your own organization.
