Network Segmentation: How It Improves Your Home Security

Network segmentation is a process of subdividing a local network into smaller components. Sometimes, you will stumble upon terms such as network partitioning or segregation. Those are all synonyms. 

Consider a company’s network as a house. Segmenting is like having different rooms; every room is called a subnet or subnetwork. 

A subnet is created to control vital data, boost performance, or secure information, e.g., printer network, segments for storing data, etc. Placing barriers between these sections can limit communication between sections that need not interact and protect them from malicious intrusions, isolating eventual damage to the given area. 

Let’s go over some of the basics of network segmentation.

The Benefits Of Network Segmentation 

There are a few methods for partitioning a network, and the firewall is the most widely used. It should be constructed on a border of the designated network, which must be created via VLANs or several physical links. This construct directs all traffic through the firewall.

Boundaries between network sections we spoke of are defined by strict security policy, designed to contain all sensitive data inside and all threats outside of a network. Some companies create a secure networking environment by placing more internal boundaries to gain greater safety and control.

What methods or tasks do we have to use or accomplish to protect our network from cyberattacks? Can network users sleep soundly under such conditions? Unfortunately, safety breaches occur every day, but there are some ways to stay protected.

1. Data Protection

Traffic control is essential here. The more you can process and oversee, the more important information you can secure from attacks. Microsegments of your network are divided by cyber walls, allowing only a few parts of the system to access them. Having fewer access points means that there will be fewer opportunities for a breach.

2. Threat Containment

Sometimes, hackers manage to access some part of a network, but then the segmentation limits their attempt to steal data or do other damage. In other words, it’s not easy to enter some subnet, but it’s even more challenging to access another. 

In addition to this is the fact that administrators can improve segment defenses while containing the intrusion in each section. That also allows them to treat the threat with more care.

3. Limited Access Control

This method is also known as the Policy of Least Privilege. Only a few can access the vital information of the network, while most users have limited access. This way of protection grants access only to some areas, and if a hacker tries to abuse some stolen credentials, the system will prevent such misuse.

4. Threats Monitoring

The more system checkpoints, the more efficient network protection. Segmentation, in this case, can make harmful behavior easier to locate and measure. 

Admins mainly monitor log-in sessions and relations between internal parts of a network. Knowing how your enemy thinks is the best practice for developing a good system for protecting highly sensitive areas.

5. Speed of Response

Certain parts of the network allow admins to localize the problem and its scope, which can significantly improve the speed of solving a problem since it helps shorten the list of potential areas that could be affected. That is also important for users. A reasonable response rate doesn’t affect the user’s experience in a particular area, except if that area is directly accessible by users.

6. The Extent of Damage

The segmentation into subnets protects the network because the damage is contained within a specific area when an attack occurs. That also ensures the other parts of the network are excluded from cyberattacks against networks. Similarly, network errors are contained inside one subnet. Such a solution makes finding and fixing an error much easier.

7. Endpoint Device Protection

Often, the target and the starting point of cyber-attacks are endpoint devices, such as laptops, PCs, smartphones, servers, etc. Segmentation provides a constant overview of the relation between a network and an endpoint device, isolating our favorite gadgets from unwanted intruders. Through such a step, risks for an end user are minimal. Furthermore, users can take action to safeguard internet connections on each device. For example, a VPN for PC that you use for work and personal tasks can be critical. After all, a Virtual Private Network encrypts traffic and connections, making them much more immune to threats. Thus, even if someone intercepts your interactions on the web, they should not be able to read them (even if you visit HTTP websites). 

Conclusion

Considering the increase in cyber-criminal activities, overlooking your network protection can cause more headaches than spending time subdividing it. Traffic control and chasing potential hackers via the web are somewhat active methods, but partitioning the local network is like an investment, a precaution, being ahead of attackers. To fortify your home security, it’s essential to be vigilant and recognize signs your home security is vulnerable, allowing you to take proactive measures before potential threats escalate.

So, take these recommendations into account. The first step you could take is creating a separate network for your guests.