Top Tips for Reviewing Network Security
A proactive approach to identifying weaknesses, tightening controls, and boosting resilience.
1. Map Your Network Assets
Start with a full inventory of all connected devices—servers, endpoints, mobile devices, IoT, cloud services, and third-party integrations. You can’t protect what you don’t know exists.
2. Review Network Segmentation
Ensure your network is logically segmented. Critical systems (e.g., finance, OT, backups) should be isolated from general user traffic and guest access. Segmentation limits lateral movement during an incident.
3. Audit Firewall Rules and Perimeter Defences
Check for overly permissive rules, outdated configurations, and unused ports. Validate that intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) are active, updated, and generating actionable alerts.
4. Evaluate Access Controls
Review user roles, group memberships, and admin privileges. Apply the principle of least privilege and remove dormant or unnecessary accounts—especially shared or generic logins.
5. Assess Patch and Vulnerability Management
Confirm that all systems are regularly patched and that vulnerability scans are conducted and reviewed. Pay attention to high-risk systems and ensure remediation timelines are tracked.
6. Verify Logging and Monitoring
Ensure critical systems are generating logs and that logs are being collected, stored securely, and reviewed—either manually or via a SIEM. Look for blind spots in coverage.
7. Test Remote Access Security
Review VPN configurations, MFA enforcement, and endpoint protection for remote users. Ensure remote access is limited, encrypted, and monitored.
8. Check Encryption Standards
Verify that data in transit is encrypted using current protocols (e.g., TLS 1.2+). Internal traffic between sensitive systems should also be encrypted where feasible.
9. Review Backup and Recovery Processes
Ensure backups are recent, complete, encrypted, and tested regularly. Confirm that backup systems are segmented from the main network to prevent ransomware impact.
10. Evaluate Incident Response Readiness
Review your incident response plan, escalation paths, and contact lists. Conduct tabletop exercises to validate readiness and identify gaps in coordination or tooling.