Network Security Bible, 2nd Edition

Chapter 28. Putting Everything Together

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Understanding critical problems organizations face

• Top issues in network security

• Coming up with an organizational plan for network security

• Network security best practices

This book discusses all the critical areas of network security. However, in a real environment it is not the individual components that will make you secure, but the integration of all the components together. While endpoint solutions and technology are important, security is about integrated solutions that are built into existing processes. This chapter looks at network security from a more holistic viewpoint, looking at strategies that can be implemented, and common problems and how they can be avoided.

Critical Problems Facing Organizations

On the surface, security seems like an easy problem to address; however, those of us who have worked in this area for a long time know it is anything but easy. Network security is very difficult to implement because in solving one problem you could introduce five new problems. Unexpected pitfalls can await you around each corner. The important thing to remember is that security is about managing and controlling risk to your critical assets and information. By focusing on managing risk, you can ensure that you are addressing the real problems that need to be fixed. To keep you on track, remember to review the following questions for each item:

• What is the risk?

• Is it the highest priority risk?

• Is it the most cost-effective way ...