Who's on Your Network?Who's on Your Network?

To answer this question definitively, security specialists need to be as imaginative as any potential intruders.

If you don't know who is on your network, accessing your resources (systems and people), how do you know that the network is secure? How vulnerable is the network? It appears that many security solutions are a catch up to prevent future security problems. You need to be proactive as well as reactive.

Cisco's Perspective
Cisco has published its 53-page "2015 Annual Security Report." The report covers:

Cisco presents a tremendous amount of data in the report. This blog focuses on the fourth part, "Changing the View Toward Cybersecurity."

The report points out the disconnect in the perceptions vs. reality concerning security readiness. The report highlighted that:

Changing the View Toward Cybersecurity
The report recommends that security personnel re-evaluate their positions with a different perspective. People and systems should be better aligned with security. Security should be at the boardroom level because the health of the organization is at stake. Security problems may actually cause the demise of an organization. Network hardening, more sophisticated endpoint tools, and better user training -- even the monitoring of their actions for security infractions -- are often in order.

Network Access Control (NAC) Evolution
NAC devices have existed for years, primarily focused on basic measures. But the NAC is evolving into a much more sophisticated device that offers endpoint visibility, acess control, and improved security controls. This is accomplished by collecting and analyzing more granular information, then using the insight to strengthen and enforce security access policies. Blocking incoming and outgoing access is better than assuming it is OK. Learning of an incorrect block on access is better than leaving the door open.

Source: "Cisco 2015 Annual Security Report 2015

Endpoint Visibility Access and Security (EVAS) uses more granular information such as user role and location, business process, and the risks in managing the access. The problems increase with the use of mobile devices and the support of Internet of Things-connected devices. EVAS is a network sensor allowing or blocking access based on multiple criteria. EVAS can improve the security of a network in three areas:

Security specialists need to be as imaginative as the intruders. Complacency has no place when it comes to network security.