There are several ways to secure campus-wide Ethernet networks. These include a building security plan, Next-generation firewalls, and personal wireless routers. The network security plan should also take into account the physical security of the campus’s buildings. Cables and other network components should be locked and kept out of sight. Unused Ethernet ports should be disconnected.
Building Security Plan
If you plan to implement secure Ethernet access on campus, you must consider how to secure it. This requires a building security plan that considers and other several aspects. One of the most important elements is physical security. Physical security involves:
- Locking up the network infrastructure components.
- Securing the cables.
- Preventing employees from accessing them.
Another vital part of the building security plan is network redundancy. In a campus, this includes the deployment of redundant links and switches.
Next-Generation Firewalls
Next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) are network security devices that provide end-to-end network protection. They monitor network traffic and protect against known and unknown threats, including zero-day malware and malicious botnets. Next-generation firewalls provide more comprehensive security than traditional layer-3 firewalls, which block traffic based on IP addresses. They also include features like application awareness and active packet inspection.
These features analyze data packets for malicious code and block malicious content. They can also be updated with threat intelligence to identify new threats. Furthermore, trust levels can be adjusted according to unique user behavior. NGFWs work with existing network security systems to protect network traffic. They provide stateful inspection of network traffic, allowing or blocking traffic based on state, port, protocol, and the administrator’s rules. This helps protect the network from malicious payloads and prevent network worms.
Personal Wireless Routers
To connect to the campus wireless network, you must be aware of the various types of personal wireless routers available on the market. While most devices work well, some may cause interference to the network. In this case, you can disconnect such devices from the network and re-enable them. To ensure that your wireless router does not cause any network disruption, you should disable the device before connecting to the campus wireless network.
As a campus wireless network, it is important to maintain proper security to prevent unauthorized access. o avoid these vulnerabilities, IT staff periodically scans the campus wireless network for unregistered WAPs. If this occurs, the IT staff will contact the owner of the wireless device to bring it into compliance with campus security standards. The most common wireless data network equipment works within non-licensed portions of the radio frequency spectrum. Because multiple users share this spectrum, interference may occur. However, the Federal Communications Commission has established standards for using this spectrum to prevent interference.
Creating A Culture Of Shared Network Responsibility
A campus network must meet several requirements, such as scalability and redundancy. This network also needs to be cost-effective, so a strategic alignment of costs and simplicity is essential. A data network is a group of devices and communication channels with defined rules for data exchange. These properties are fundamental in more extensive networks.