#smoad networks

A combination of cyber security measures is synergised to mutually support one another to deliver a higher level of protection. A unified system of various network security is called integrated network security. Through integrated network security, multiple levels of protection can be engulfed into a single cohesive system. The different layers coordinate to offer wholesome protection for your enterprise data. Creating an integrated network security system includes selecting the right hardware & software, services, deployment, and configuration.

Integrated network security is also known as the defence-in-depth approach. The focus is on protecting data from different angles in contrast to just a single strategy. With multiple security levels, it is the right way to secure your network.

The significance of Integrated Network Security Architecture It helps to protect from cyber threats. It gives a panoramic view of the network, which is necessary to maintain a reliable and secure network. It is important to include it in your IT infrastructure. It helps to protect the IT resources and data of your enterprise. Every piece of data is crucial and needs to be protected, so this integrated network security architecture is the right choice.

Standard practices in Integrated Network Security Architecture

1. Conducting threat assessment It is crucial to identify the threats before determining how to neutralise them. Identify the potential risks by thinking like the attacker. The threats may be umpteen the company needs to decide on the technology and plug its vulnerabilities. Threats are harmful, while vulnerabilities are weaknesses exploited by the threats. The company should develop a strong response plan to combat threats.

Threats can be categorised into two types: Technical threats are where a network is compromised through malware, interrupting the normal operations of the system. Technical threats include hacking, DoS attack, malware, etc. In this case, security vulnerabilities gain access to the data and IT resources.

Non-Technical threats are the handy work of the insiders involved in fraudulent activities like data theft, etc.

2. Business Impact Analysis It is a useful strategy to identify the impact of the disruption in the event of a cyber-attack. It helps to locate the risk in the network leading to an attack. The analysis should be done in coordination with the risk management team and the stakeholders in the organisation.

3. Strategy for overcoming security incidents Security threats have become common these days; they can negatively impact the reputation of the organisation. Devising suitable strategies with clarity on procedures, responsibilities, and priorities can protect from security incidents.

4. Analyse the intensity of the threat. The primary step while facing a security threat is to analyse the intensity of the threat. Verify if the threat needs scrutiny from an experienced analyst. If the intensity is less, a low-level employee can handle the task.

Integrated Security and SD-WAN When it comes to handling security concerns, SD-WAN is far more agile and reliable when compared to legacy WAN architectures. SD-WAN delivers centralised management making remote working seamless. This can leave room for security threats. If the remote user lacks security controls, the corporate network could be compromised. SD-WAN with integrated security can protect against unforeseen threats.

Remote users and branch offices connect to the central corporate server through dedicated carrier circuits. The internet traffic moving to and fro remote sites are backhauled across these connections. The data centre should have enterprise-class security tools to prevent threats. But as the traffic increased, the organisations looked for alternatives. Now remote users connect directly to the internet to access cloud applications. This has burdened the IT team, as they have to manage, implement and support a stack of security applications and appliances at the remote level. This has given rise to SD-WAN integrated security solutions.

SD-WAN adds next-generation firewalls (NGFW) to secure your local internet connection from threats. The NGFW has an intrusion prevention system (IPS) that monitors the network for any malicious action and violation of security protocols. Not all SD-WAN comes with security tools, and the organisation must implement these tools at an additional cost. SMOAD SD-WAN comes with advanced security features to prevent, identify and block security threats.

The coronavirus pandemic brought many changes, some of them rather drastic. One of these changes was how the organization worked before, during, and after the pandemic. Work from home became the new normal between the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic eras. However, with the advent of working from home, particularly during the pandemic, several changes were witnessed, especially in the in-office IT infrastructure plans. With more and more people working from home and the need for a secured network becoming the order of the day, cloud-based networking architecture has become the top choice of organizations worldwide.

The traditional network technology could not handle the amount of data the pandemic days thrust upon them. This opened the door for various developments in the networking field; one of those was Software Defined Wide Area Networks or SD-WAN. In SD-WAN, data, connectivity, and traffic between the branches and the headquarters are managed by the cloud environment. These hubs are the “edge” and are crucial for cloud security.

The issues with conventional networking technology were eliminated with SD-WAN. It helped boost the network speed, minimize downtime, improve efficiency, and cut costs, amongst several other advantages. And now, despite the pandemic slowing and people returning to offices, SD-WAN is here to stay. This is because it has helped the offices to work with better efficiency and security.

SD-WAN is constantly evolving and is expected to do so in the new year. The top four trends in the genre of SD-WAN expected to make significant inroads in the coming year are as follows:

1. Secured Remote Access Security of the network is one of the most significant advantages of SD-WAN. As the employees from the branch offices and remote work setup logged in from different geographical locations, it resulted in serious security issues. SD-WAN helps resolve security concerns. With this architecture, employees could install SD-WAN endpoints in their homes. With SD-WAN, it has become possible for employees to log in to the company’s network with a high level of security, even during travel.

In the coming year, two trends in this particular genre are expected. These are:

An amalgamation of SD-WAN and remote access technology Replacement of SD-WAN with secure remote access

2. SD-WAN As a Service Companies offering SD-WAN solutions highlight management, optimization, and redundancy capabilities in their package. Companies offering SD-WAN solutions are now pitching it as a service, meaning everything with regards to SD-WAN, right from installation to maintenance, is the service provider’s responsibility. With such a solution, businesses can narrow their attention to their core competencies because they have fewer SD-WAN-related concerns to examine and address.

3. Secure Access Service Edge Secure Access Service Edge is a combination of SDN and SD-WAN along with security features. SASE is an ultra-secure, high-on-performance, and highly adaptable network architecture. It is now anticipated that SD-WAN will eventually become a part of SASE. If a business uses SD-WAN as a service, it can quickly upgrade to SASE architecture down the road.

4. Artificial Intelligence in SD-WAN Artificial intelligence is making its presence felt in SD-WAN in significant ways. It is helping in:

Improving the choice of the traffic path Providing improved policy definitions Supplying automatic support for troubleshooting Improved performance and security surveillance

In addition to many other advantages, any new trend in IT networking aids businesses in maximizing their efficiency. Since these kinds of changes herald either partial or complete overhauls in specific IT systems, any organization needs to consult its networking team before deciding on any modification. As an experiment, these kinds of solutions can be used in a sandbox setting, and the same applies to SD-WAN.

There is no denying that the internet has become the force that virtually drives every aspect of our lives. We have come to an age where it is almost impossible to imagine life without the internet. As much as the internet has become an absolute necessity, so has high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eTJN3ZtW

A stable Wi-Fi connection throughout the day would be such a blessing. Especially if you are a work-from-home pro or a web series lover, you will need an extraordinarily robust and reliable internet connection sans interruptions.

Even the most acceptable network connections falter because of the space in your office or home, called dead zones with the lowest network reception. Numerous factors affect the speed, coverage, and stability of Wi-Fi Connections. If you get to know these factors and improve your network infrastructure, you can enjoy reliable connectivity at an affordable rate.

Significant reasons why your broadband Wi-Fi is unstable

Physical Distance You might face poor connectivity if your device exceeds the Wi-Fi router’s coverage area. The connection would deteriorate further when this distance increases. So, set up your work area closer to your Wi-Fi router.

Obstruction Wi-Fi signals can rather easily flow through walls and other obstructions. But in some barriers, which are thicker or made of reinforced concrete, which could prevent some signals from passing through, Wireless signals can easily pass-through materials including drywall, plywood, other types of wood, and glass.

Radio Interference When you have devices with the same frequency bands, such as microwaves, or cells, your Wi-Fi signals could experience interruption. If you do not have such devices, look for interferences from your neighbour’s devices.

Single Router If you live in a mansion-house and have multiple devices connected to the internet, then a single Wi-Fi router wouldn’t suffice. One router alone cannot guarantee an uninterrupted connection across devices placed at different locations on your property. Consult with your service provider and consider pairing up other technologies to offer holistic coverage across your space. Most importantly, replace your router if you feel it isn’t fulfilling your connectivity goals.

Excessive Bandwidth You cannot expect a stable network connection if the Wi-Fi router is overloaded with devices that consume a lot of bandwidth. Either consider unplugging devices when not in use or investing in increasing the bandwidth capacity.

Damaged Wire Cables and Fibre lines connected with your 4G router are susceptible to wear and tear over time. Harsh weather and lack of maintenance could be possible reasons for cables’ wear and tear. You must frequently check for such signs of damaged wires and replace them if necessary.

Software Issues This may be a rare reason, but if your router is not optimally configured, you might face poor connectivity. If you aren’t that tech savvy, get help from network providers to help optimize your router functionality.

Outdated Router If you believe your router to be the problem, it could be time to start budgeting for a replacement. It’s a good idea to upgrade your router every two years to prevent some issues.