CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Course - 2.5 Mitigation Techniques Used to Secure the Enterprise

Summary

This session delves into essential cybersecurity mitigation strategies for securing enterprises. It covers network segmentation to control access and reduce the attack surface, preventing threat lateral movement. Access control lists enforce security policies, restricting access to sensitive resources. Patching software, encryption for data protection, and the principle of least privilege minimize vulnerabilities. Decommissioning outdated systems securely prevents data exposure. System hardening, including encryption and endpoint protection, firewalls, and intrusion prevention systems, enhances security. Unique, strong passwords and disabling unused ports further fortify defenses, creating a robust cybersecurity posture for businesses.

Takeaways

• 🛡️ Network Segmentation: Dividing a network into smaller parts to control access and reduce the attack surface, preventing lateral movement of threats.
• 🔒 Access Control Lists (ACLs): Essential for enforcing network security policies by controlling what users or systems can access specific resources.
• 🚫 Application Allow Lists: Restricting systems to run only pre-approved software to prevent the execution of unauthorized or malicious programs.
• 🔄 Patching: Updating software to fix vulnerabilities, an important process for maintaining system security.
• 🔒 Encryption: Protecting sensitive data both at rest and in transit, ensuring data remains unreadable to unauthorized parties.
• 👥 Principle of Least Privilege: Ensuring users and systems have only the necessary access rights, limiting admin privileges to those who need them.
• 🗑️ Decommissioning: Safely removing and disposing of outdated systems and data to prevent sensitive information exposure, such as secure wiping of hard drives.
• 🛠️ System Hardening: Securing a system by reducing its vulnerability surface, with encryption being a cornerstone technique.
• 🚨 Endpoint Protection: Essential for detecting and responding to malware and other threats, providing an additional layer of security.
• 🔥 Host-Based Firewalls: Controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on a rule set, offering an extra layer of security.
• 🚫 Intrusion Prevention Systems: Actively protecting against threats by detecting and blocking potentially harmful activity.
• 🔧 Disabling Unused Ports/Protocols: Reducing the attack surface by disabling unnecessary network services.
• 🔑 Changing Default Passwords: A basic yet crucial step in securing systems against unauthorized access, ensuring all network devices have unique strong passwords.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of network segmentation?

Network segmentation is primarily used to divide a network into smaller parts to control access, reduce the attack surface, and prevent lateral movement of threats across the network.

Can you provide an example of how network segmentation is applied in a company?

An example of network segmentation is using VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) to segregate different departments within a company, ensuring that a breach in one area doesn't compromise the entire network.

What are access control lists and why are they important in network security?

Access control lists (ACLs) are used to control what users or systems can access specific resources. They are essential in enforcing network security policies by restricting access to sensitive files and allowing only authorized personnel to view or edit them.

How do application whitelisting and blacklisting contribute to system security?

Application whitelisting restricts systems to run only pre-approved software, preventing the execution of unauthorized or malicious programs. Blacklisting, on the other hand, blocks known malicious software from running.

What is the significance of patching in maintaining software security?

Patching refers to the process of updating software to fix vulnerabilities. It is crucial for maintaining software security by reducing the risk of exploitation by attackers.

Why is encryption important for protecting sensitive data?

Encryption is vital for protecting sensitive data both at rest and in transit because it ensures that even if data is intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties, it remains unreadable.

What is the principle of least privilege and how does it relate to network security?

The principle of least privilege ensures that users and systems have only the necessary access rights required for their functions. It relates to network security by minimizing the potential damage that can be caused by a compromised account or system.

What is decommissioning and how does it prevent sensitive data exposure?

Decommissioning involves safely removing and disposing of outdated systems and data. Proper decommissioning, such as secure wiping of hard drives in retired servers, prevents sensitive data from being exposed.

What are some techniques involved in system hardening?

System hardening involves securing a system by reducing its vulnerability surface. Techniques include encryption, installing endpoint protection software, using host-based firewalls, and host-based intrusion prevention systems.

How do host-based firewalls contribute to network security?

Host-based firewalls contribute to network security by controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on an applied rule set, offering an additional layer of security.

What is the importance of changing default passwords in securing systems?

Changing default passwords is a basic yet crucial step in securing systems against unauthorized access. It ensures that all network devices have unique strong passwords, reducing the risk of easy access by attackers.

In conclusion, what is the role of mitigation techniques in protecting against cyber security threats?

Employing a range of mitigation techniques from network segmentation to system hardening is vital in protecting against various cyber security threats. Implementing these measures helps in creating a robust and resilient security posture for enterprises.