Introduction:
In today’s interconnected world, network security has become a crucial aspect of any organization’s overall security posture.
Network segregation plays a vital role in reducing the attack surface and limiting the spread of malicious activities within an organization’s network.
A.13.1.3 of the ISO 27001 standard outlines the requirements for segregation in network services.
This article will explore the policy requirements for network segregation and the checklist that can be used to assess the effectiveness of the network segregation controls.
Sample Checklist:
- Check the policy on network segregation: Verify if the organization has a policy on network segregation and segregation based on classification, trust levels, domains, a combination, or any other factor.
- Types of network segregation: Identify the types of network segregation in place, such as physical, logical, or virtual. Check whether network segregation is achieved using VLANs, firewalls, access controls, or any other method.
- Monitoring and control: Verify how segregation is achieved, monitored, and controlled. Check whether the segregation is periodically reviewed to ensure its effectiveness.
- Wireless networks: Check how wireless networks are segregated from wired networks. Are there adequate controls in place to prevent unauthorized access to the wireless network? Is wireless network segregation based on trust levels or other factors?
- Guest networks: Check how guest networks are segregated from corporate networks. Are there adequate controls in place to prevent unauthorized access to corporate networks through guest networks?
- Extranets: If there are any extranets with vendors or third-party partners, check how these are secured. Verify if the security is adequate, given the risks and the risk appetite of the enterprise.
Conclusion:
Network segregation is essential in reducing the attack surface and limiting the spread of malicious activities within an organization’s network.
A.13.1.3 of the ISO 27001 standard outlines the requirements for segregation in network services.
The above checklist can be used to assess the effectiveness of network segregation controls.
By implementing effective network segregation controls, organizations can improve their overall security posture and reduce the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks.
