Home > Ask the Security Experts > Network Security Questions & Answers > What are the risks of placing enterprise users in a DMZ?
Ask The Security Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

What are the risks of placing enterprise users in a DMZ?

Mike Chapple EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Mike Chapple

Pose a Question
Other Security Categories
Meet all Security Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 18 January 2007
When implementing a firewall, would you recommend placing enterprise users in a DMZ?

>
EXPERT RESPONSE
No. DMZs are designed to serve as a neutral location (hence the name demilitarized zone) where public and private services meet. Traditional firewall implementations create three zones: an untrusted zone (typically the Internet, in the case of a border firewall), a trusted zone (the organization's intranet) and a DMZ used to host public services. They're commonly used to provide organizations with a layer of isolation that protects their intranet systems from public exposure.

Enterprise services that must be exposed to untrusted networks, such as Web servers and SMTP servers, should be placed in the DMZ. This arrangement ensures that, in the event of a compromise, internal users and systems have a firewall that protects them from an affected server. Placing enterprise users (who belong on the intranet) in the DMZ eliminates this layer of protection and puts them at risk to systems on the untrusted network.

More information:

  • A DMZ is necessary for PCI DSS compliance. Read about the regulation's other important control objectives.
  • Hear security professionals' recommendations on how to implement a DMZ.


  • Sound Off! -   Be the first to post a message to Sound Off!


    Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


    RELATED CONTENT
    Network Security
    Will Cisco's plan to open access to the IOS improve network security?
    Will VoIP attacks result in more than just spam?
    Should enterprises implement a mandatory iPhone VPN?
    Will organizations that lag behind on IPv6 adoption have greater security risks?
    Should iPhone email be sent without SSL encryption?
    How to secure an FTP connection
    DMVPN configuration: Is an additional firewall needed between the router and the Internet?
    Is centralized logging worth all the effort?
    What are the pros and cons of shaping P2P packets?
    Should an ISP keep corrupted machines off of a network?

    DMZ
    A security checklist: How to build a solid DMZ
    What server considerations should be made when setting up an internal network's private applications?
    How is internal mail channeled through an enterprise firewall?
    Microsoft NAP-TNC compatibility won't speed adoption, users say
    How do a DMZ and VPN work together?
    Infrastructure security: Remote access DMZ
    How to configure and implement a DMZ
    Network Access Control Learning Guide
    Designing a DMZ using iptables
    RSA Conference 2006

    RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
    Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
    DMZ  (SearchSecurity.com)

    RELATED RESOURCES
    2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
    Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
    Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary



    Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
    Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
    Browse our Expert Advice

    TechTarget Security Media
    Information Security View this month\\'s issue and subscribe today.
    Information Security Decisions Apply online for free conference admission.
    SearchSecurity.com
    HomeNewsMagazineWebcastsWhite PapersLearningAdviceTopicsEventsAbout Us

    About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
    TechTarget provides enterprise IT professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective IT purchase decisions and managing their organizations' IT projects - with its network of technology-specific Web sites, events and magazines.

    TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Reprints  |  Site Map




    All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2003 - 2008, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
      TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts