Essential Ways to Secure Network Switching

You can secure network switching in many ways. You can disable physical ports, configure NAC or NAP, and enable SSH. You can also set up system banners to warn unauthorized users of the switch. These can be enabled by using the banner MOTD command. Once the command is configured, you can create the text displayed for authenticated users.

Segregation

Switching in networking can be secure when segmentation separates sensitive traffic from unauthorized traffic. The best way to achieve this is to use the least privilege model, which limits access to network parts that are necessary for business use cases. For example, a network that houses credit card information should only be accessible to systems that need this data. This model is critical because most breaches are caused by third-party access to network segments. Segregation is a great way to secure a network, but it is not without challenges. For example, a large network can be difficult to maintain and use, posing usability issues within an organization.

Disable Unused Physical Ports

When you are using network switches, it is important to secure them. You can do this by disabling unused physical ports. This will help you prevent malicious devices from plugging into unused ports. Also, it will help you train users to call IT before moving their devices. However, you should be aware that disabling unused ports will not secure those ports that are actually in use.

A network switch has many physical ports. You should only use a small number of them. This is because you will never know who will access them. Therefore, it is essential to secure these ports with port security. MAC addresses are used as part of port security.

Configure NAC or NAP

If you’ve ever used network security software, you’re probably familiar with NAC or NAP, both network access controls. These technologies allow you to restrict access to specific network resources and the internet. They are most effective when used with your organization’s current security measures. NAC allows you to create security policies for devices on your network based on their identity and location. Those policies are also applied at the firewall, Layer2/3 switch, and DHCP server. By preventing unauthorized devices from connecting to your network, you’ll ensure that you’re not exposed to threats that could damage your business.

NAC also allows you to control access to network resources for specific groups of people. As the number of mobile devices increases, IT administrators need help to manually authenticate every user and device. With NAC, authentication and authorization are automated and seamless, allowing users to connect confidently.

Enable SSH

You can enable SSH on your network switches by running the SSH enable command. This command will allow you to connect to your switches and manage them securely. Without SSH, some network protocols like SFTP and SCP will not function. To enable SSH on your switches, follow these steps:

First, you need to configure your SSH server. This will allow you to log in using an authentication server or locally. For local authentication, you need to create a username and password pair. You can do this by running the global configuration mode command and specifying a username and password pair. For example, you can assign a username to the admin and a password for CCNA.

In addition, you should restrict physical access to the switch. Physical access should only be available to authorized personnel. You should also ensure that there are no hidden files on the hard drive.

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