What is the Network Perimeter?
The network perimeter refers to the security boundary established between an organisation’s trusted internal network and an untrusted external network, most commonly the internet. It acts as a first line of defence, controlling and filtering incoming and outgoing traffic to safeguard sensitive data and internal systems from cyber attacks.
Benefits_
- Enhanced network security: The network perimeter provides a centralised point for implementing security measures, making it easier to control access and prevent unauthorised intrusions.
- Improved threat detection: Security tools deployed at the perimeter, like firewalls, can analyse network traffic for malicious activity and block potential threats before they reach internal systems.
- Data protection: By regulating data flow, the network perimeter helps prevent sensitive information from leaking out of the internal network.
- Compliance adherence: Organisations in certain industries might have regulatory requirements for data protection and network security. A well-defined network perimeter can facilitate compliance with these regulations.
Use cases_
- Securing corporate networks: Organisations of all sizes utilise network perimeters to protect their internal networks from cyber threats and unauthorised access attempts.
- Segmenting internal networks: Large organizations might create sub-perimeters within their network to further isolate critical systems and resources, enhancing overall security posture.
- Demilitarised Zones (DMZs): Organisations can establish DMZs within the network perimeter to host publicly accessible servers or applications, creating an extra layer of security between the public internet and the internal network.
Key Components_
- Firewalls: Act as the primary gatekeepers, inspecting and filtering traffic based on predefined rules, allowing legitimate traffic and blocking unauthorised access attempts.
- Intrusion detection/Prevention systems (IDS/IPS): Monitor network traffic for suspicious activity and can either alert security personnel or automatically block malicious traffic.
- Proxy servers: Can act as intermediaries between internal devices and the internet, filtering traffic and hiding internal IP addresses from external threats.
- VPN gateways: Provide secure tunnels for authorised users and devices to access the internal network remotely.
