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, featured expert EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Mike Chapple, featured expert

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?

>
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.


  • BROWSE BY TAG
    Network Security,   DMZ Setup and Configuration,   NAC and Endpoint Security Management,   Enterprise Network Security,   VIEW ALL TAGS

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



    RELATED CONTENT
    Network Security
    How to set up a split-tunnel VPN in Windows Vista
    What is the difference between static and dynamic network validation?
    Port scan attack prevention best practices
    Securing the intranet with remote access VPN security
    How to prevent network sniffing and eavesdropping
    How to implement virtual firewalls in a complex network infrastructure
    How to manage network bandwidth with distributed ISP bandwidth
    How to edit group policy objects to give a user local admin rights
    How to prevent operating system cloning with AES 256-bit encryption
    How to securely connect a LAN POS to a remote point-of-sale device

    DMZ Setup and Configuration
    Endpoint protection best practices manual: Combating issues, problems
    How to set up a DMZ
    How to configure firewall ports for webmail system implementation
    When should a database application be placed in a DMZ?
    How will many firewalls serving as the default gateway affect the DMZ?
    Should a domain controller be placed within the DMZ?
    If one server in a DMZ network gets attacked from outside, will the other servers be corrupted?
    Should an ISP keep corrupted machines off of a network?
    A security checklist: How to build a solid DMZ
    Server considerations for internal network application setup

    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



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

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

    TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




    All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2003 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
      TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts