Enterprise Network Security Tools

Common Security Tools

• Next Generation Firewalls
• Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
• Vulnerability Scanners

Challenges with Diverse Security Tools

• Different security tools may identify the same vulnerabilities but with different descriptions.

Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP)

• Created to consolidate vulnerabilities into a common language.
• Managed by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology).
• SCAP allows different security tools to identify the same vulnerabilities, enabling automated vulnerability management.

Automation and Best Practices

• Automated detection and patching of vulnerabilities across the network.
• Use of security benchmarks and best practices for different operating systems and applications.
• Center for Internet Security (CIS) provides a library of security benchmarks.

Compliance and System Checks

• Use of agents (installed on systems) or agentless checks for compliance:
  • Agent-based: Always running, requires updates.
  • Agentless: Runs on-demand, does not require ongoing maintenance.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

• Consolidates log files from various sources.
• Provides powerful reporting and data correlation.
• Useful for forensic analysis over time.

Antivirus and Anti-malware

• Identify and mitigate malicious software (e.g., Trojans, worms).
• Terms 'antivirus' and 'anti-malware' are used interchangeably.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

• Monitors and blocks unauthorized data transfers (e.g., SSNs, credit card info).
• Can be implemented on endpoints and cloud systems.

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

• Used for network monitoring via management information base (MIB).
• Polling and traps for proactive alerts.

NetFlow

• Monitors traffic flows and application usage.
• Involves probes and collectors for data aggregation and reporting.

Vulnerability Scanners

• Minimally invasive, identifies potential vulnerabilities.
• Performs port scans and evaluates device exposures.
• Important to verify the accuracy of vulnerability scan results.
• Regular scans help prevent critical vulnerabilities from being exploited.