What is Micro-segmentation?

Micro-segmentation provides network protection by breaking it into smaller chunks or segments, down to the packet level, creating multiple unique closed user groups. This allows administrators to program security policies based on where a workload might be used, what kind of data it will access, and how important or sensitive the application is. This enables the implementation of zero trust security policies that are more granular where every user and device is authenticated based on its identity and provided a unique key.

How can micro-segmentation help defeat ransomware?

Ransomware is a specific type of malware designed to encrypt a computer’s content until the user pays to get the encryption or recovery key. This effectively halts productivity, impacting business revenue. However, IT professionals can take decisive action to minimize both the threat and the impact of ransomware. To protect your enterprise against ransomware, you need to examine how to limit the impact of a breach, explore where an in-process attack can be stopped, and discuss what to do if a hacker succeeds in gaining access.

There are 4 key preventative steps to follow that are identified below. Micro-segmentation plays a key role in these steps by partitioning the networks to prevent attacks from spreading via east-west proliferation and by segmenting the network into much smaller groups of workloads, managed with identity-driven security policies, to prevent spreading and to respond rapidly.

Protect the Enterprise
Minimize the Impact
Break the Cyber Kill Chain®
Respond to an attack

By putting in place sound preventative measures, understanding the Cyber Kill Chain®, and knowing how to respond to a breach, you can lower your risk of infection and reduce the impact of a breach. Your goal is not to guarantee that a ransomware attack will never be successful, as that is an impossibility. Rather, your goal is to ensure that if a breach occurs, it does not become a newsworthy event. By fending off the majority of attacks and dealing swiftly and smoothly with the few hackers who get in the door, you will help keep your business on track and on target.

How does micro-segmentation work?

How to implement micro-segmentation?

First you should segment your networks based on the criticality of information they house and the level of risk to them. It is important to know your network and the flow of communication in your environment for modeling prior to implementation. Micro-segmentation doesn’t require major changes to the network or application infrastructure itself. It gives users only privileges they require to perform their tasks. It is critical that you have a plan for when the inevitable breach happens. By creating a robust and well-tested incident response plan that can be activated in the case of a security break, you can recover easily and in a methodical fashion.

What are the benefits of micro-segmentation?

Enterprises environments have changed where firewalls are no longer enough to keep them secure. They need to have everything interconnected, requiring access to public clouds, connectivity with integrated suppliers, etc. These new requirements have driven the need for technology like micro-segmentation that is low cost, and an easy to implement way to add a layer of security to your existing network, data and devices while embracing modern capabilities like mobile and public cloud.

How does micro-segmentation help in networking?

Micro-segmentation is a network security technique that enables security architects to logically divide the data center into distinct security segments down to the individual workload level, and then define security controls and deliver services for each unique segment. This detailed segment information helps to visualize, model and design informed rules for security purposes across the network. By knowing your network, understanding the flow, and working with knowledgeable associates or partners, you’ll have the expertise to reap the benefits from network micro-segmentation.