Securing your external network is a critical task that requires a comprehensive approach. To help you assess and improve your organization’s cybersecurity posture, we have created this External Network Security Checklist.
This checklist is based on our detailed blog post, “Comprehensive Guide to Securing Your External Network: Insights from a Leading Penetration Testing Company“, which provides in-depth information and recommendations on each of the topics covered here.
External Network Security Checklist
- Attack Surface Minimization
- Limit public access to only essential services for business operations
- Restrict access to auxiliary services and administrative interfaces using IP whitelisting or VPN
- Regularly monitor for unauthorized exposed services
- Software Update Management
- Establish a robust process to monitor and promptly install software updates and security patches
- Maintain control over the software used in the external network
- Prioritize the software update management process for the external network
- Password Policy
- Define requirements for password complexity, storage, and transmission
- Apply the policy to user passwords, IT administrator passwords, and service account passwords
- Enforce the policy across all systems, including those managed by third parties
- Implement strict protection against password brute-force attacks
- Include requirements for user awareness training
- Restrict the use of outdated, unencrypted, and insecure protocols and technologies
- Mandate the implementation of two-factor authentication for critical services
- Prohibit the use of easily guessable passwords
- Vulnerability Management
- Utilize specialized vulnerability scanners for networks, applications, and infrastructure
- Include the IT infrastructure perimeter and external IT systems in the scanning scope
- Perform vulnerability assessments at least once per quarter
- Implement organizational controls to ensure prompt remediation of identified vulnerabilities
- Alternate scanners used in each new assessment cycle
- Penetration Testing
- Conduct penetration testing at least once a year or after significant changes to the IT infrastructure
- Engage an independent team with high expertise to perform the testing
- Address architectural and logical vulnerabilities that require manual analysis and expertise
- System Hardening
- Properly configure each component of every individual service
- Apply best practices to ensure protection and implement cybersecurity controls
- Follow guidelines and recommendations for hardening specific technologies
- Apply system hardening to all network services, infrastructure services, and applications
- Risk Management
- Prioritize security efforts based on the likelihood of exploitation and potential impact
- Consider the four risk treatment options: reduce, avoid, transfer, or accept
- Implement cybersecurity measures wisely, considering feasibility and appropriateness
- Security and Usability Balance
- Maintain a balance between security and usability
- Ensure that security measures do not significantly hinder business operations
- Regularly review and adjust the balance as needed
- Continuous Improvement
- Treat cybersecurity as an ongoing journey rather than a one-time destination
- Regularly review and update security measures to stay ahead of evolving threats
- Foster a culture of security awareness and vigilance within the organization
- Professional Assistance
- Consider engaging a professional cybersecurity company for assistance
- Seek help in securing the external network and conducting penetration testing
- Leverage the expertise of experienced professionals to identify and address potential vulnerabilities
For a more thorough understanding of the concepts and strategies mentioned in this checklist, we highly recommend reading the full blog post. However, this checklist serves as a quick reference and a practical tool to help you evaluate and enhance your external network security.
