Chapter 1. Network Security Assessment
This chapter discusses at a high level the rationale behind Internet-based network security assessment and penetration testing. To retain complete control over your networks and data, you must take a proactive approach to security, an approach that starts with assessment to identify and categorize your risks. Network security assessment is an integral part of any security life cycle.
The Business Benefits
From a commercial standpoint, assurance of network security is a business enabler. As a security consultant at the time of writing, I am helping a particular client in the retail sector to deploy and secure an 802.11b wireless network for use in nearly 200 stores across the United Kingdom. This wireless network has been designed in a security-conscious manner, allowing the retailer to embrace wireless technologies to improve efficiency and the quality of their service.
Shortcomings in network security and user adherence to security policy often allow Internet-based attackers to locate and compromise networks. High-profile examples of companies who have fallen victim to such determined Internet-based attackers over the last four years include:
RSA Security (http://www.2600.com/hacked_pages/2000/02/www.rsa.com/)
OpenBSD (http://lists.jammed.com/incidents/2002/08/0000.html)
NASDAQ (http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,21762,00.html)
Playboy Enterprises (http://www.vnunet.com/News/1127004)
Cryptologic (http://lists.jammed.com/ISN/2001/09/0042.html ...
Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.
Read now
Unlock full access