Week 47: Switch security tips

When
When vulnerabilities are identified that affect your system and whenever patches and upgrades are applied. Review and update your guidance policies at least annually.

Why
When your organization's networks are connected to the Internet without adequate security measures, you are vulnerable to attacks. If you've been reading the columns of firewalls and routers, this information should look pretty familiar. And, as before, these principles can be applied to all switches, regardless of the switch flavor you have.

Strategy
The NSA's System and Network Attack Center (SNAC) Cisco IOS Switch Security Configuration Guide discusses security and switch placement using three layers: access, distribution and core.

Its general security checklist recommends you:

More information
The Cisco IOS Switch Security Configuration Guide is avail

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About the author
Shelley Bard, CISSP, CISM, is a senior security network engineer with Verizon Federal Network Systems (FNS). An information security professional for 17 years, Bard has briefed and written infosecurity assessments and technical reports for the White House and Department of Defense, special interest groups, industry and academia. Please e-mail any comments.

Opinions expressed in this column are those of Shelley Bard and don't necessarily reflect those of Verizon FNS.

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