Suppose the image below is your company’s network diagram af…

Suppose the image below is your company’s network diagram after a merger and you have recently added access controls to your network. The CSO would like to: Write a two to three (2-3) page paper in which you: Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

Answer

Title: Network Access Control in a Merged Company Network

Introduction:

In today’s interconnected business landscape, network security plays a crucial role in protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access. Access controls are implemented to ensure that only authorized individuals can access specific resources within a network. This paper addresses the use of access controls in a company’s network diagram following a merger, focusing on the importance of proper access control implementation to ensure the security of the network infrastructure.

Network Diagram Analysis:

Figure 1 below represents a network diagram after a merger, indicating the interconnectedness of various entities within the company’s network infrastructure.

Figure 1: Network Diagram after Merger

Access control can be classified into two main categories: physical and logical access control. Physical access control refers to the implementation of security measures to restrict physical access to network resources, such as server rooms or data centers. Logical access control, on the other hand, deals with the implementation of security measures to restrict users’ access to network resources based on their identity, privileges, and role within the organization.

Implementation of Access Controls:

The Chief Security Officer (CSO) requests the implementation of access controls within the newly merged network, aiming to enhance security and prevent unauthorized access. The CSO’s objectives can be met through the implementation of various access control mechanisms, which should be based on best practices and industry standards.

1. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):

One effective approach to managing access controls within the network is by utilizing RBAC. RBAC enables the organization to grant or restrict access to resources based on the roles and responsibilities of individuals within the company. By assigning appropriate roles and associating access permissions accordingly, RBAC streamlines access control management and reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

For example, in the network diagram provided, the CSO should identify different roles, such as administrators, employees, and guests, and assign appropriate privileges to each role. Administrators may have full access to network resources, while employees may have restricted access based on their job functions. Guests may have limited access to specific resources, such as the guest Wi-Fi network.

2. Network Segmentation:

Network segmentation is another crucial aspect of access control implementation. By dividing the network into logical segments and implementing appropriate access controls between them, the organization can prevent unauthorized lateral movement and contain potential security breaches.

For instance, in the network diagram provided, the CSO should consider implementing network segmentation between different departments, such as finance, HR, and IT. This ensures that individuals within one department stay within their designated network segments, limiting their access to other departmental resources.

3. Access Control Lists (ACLs):

Access Control Lists (ACLs) are a common mechanism used to enforce access control policies in many network devices, such as routers or firewalls. ACLs define rules that determine whether to permit or deny traffic based on various criteria, such as source IP addresses, destination IP addresses, or specific protocols.

In the network diagram provided, the CSO should configure ACLs on the perimeter firewall or router to allow or deny traffic based on specific criteria. For example, certain IP address ranges may be denied access to critical resources, while specific internal IP addresses may be granted access to sensitive databases.

Conclusion:

Proper implementation of access controls is essential for ensuring the security and integrity of a company’s network infrastructure, especially following a merger. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), network segmentation, and Access Control Lists (ACLs) are key mechanisms that can be employed to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive information within the network. By adopting these best practices and industry standards, organizations can mitigate security risks and safeguard their network resources effectively.