In this lesson,
we will learn about segmentation.
Segmentation is dividing a network
into distinct zones or segment
to control and limit access between different areas.
This enhances security
and reduces the network attack surface.
A specific type of segmentation,
known as micro-segmentation,
takes this approach further by creating even smaller,
more granular segments within each larger network segment.
Let's learn more about segmentation and micro-segmentation.
First, we have segmentation,
but before segmenting your networks and servers,
it's important to map out your data zones
through data topology mapping.
Data topology defines and classifies data
based on its users, constraints, flow, and importance.
By categorizing data into zones,
like financial data or proprietary data,
organizations can apply specific protections
and security policies to each zone that is mapped out.
For example, financial data
may need to comply with regulations
like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard,
or PCI DSS,
while proprietary data
may have custom protection requirements
based on organizational policies.
Segmentation allows an organization
to focus security efforts
on the areas of their highest need.
When segmenting enterprise networks,
cloud environments offer region-based segmentation.
This means that cloud providers
allow you to store data in specific geographic locations,
providing regional segmentation for data protection.
This is useful for multinational organizations
that must store data
in compliance with regional regulations.
In addition, availability zones within cloud regions
provide redundancy and failover protection.
For example, within a region,
multiple availability zones
ensure that if one zone goes down, the others remain online,
keeping critical services available.
This is a type of network segmentation.
Cloud providers also offer segmentation
through Virtual Private Cloud, or VPC, for AWS,
or Virtual Network, or VNet, for Azure implementations.
These tools allow organizations
to create private segmented networks in the cloud
or extend their on-premises networks.
Subnets, security groups, and network access control lists
can be used to control the flow of traffic
in and out of these cloud-based networks,
providing granular control over network access and security.
Network access control lists
are applied at the subnet level,
filtering traffic based on predefined allow or deny rules,
similar to access control lists.
Organizations may also use segmentation
within internal environments,
such as production, staging, and guest environments.
Production environments are the live systems
used by customers.
Staging environments are used for testing before going live.
A guest environment is another form of segmentation
used for visitors,
granting them limited access to the network
without exposing internal resources.
These segmented environments help control access
and protect critical systems
by limiting what resources users can interact with.
Finally, peer-to-peer segmentation,
which is less common in enterprise environments
because it lacks the granular control
of more advanced segmentation methods,
allows devices to connect directly to each other.
This direct connectivity is hard to secure,
so if peer-to-peer communication is necessary,
it can be segmented using a virtual local area network
in a traditional network,
or a virtual private cloud and virtual network
in cloud-based environments.
Second, we have micro-segmentation.
Micro-segmentation creates smaller zones
within data centers and cloud environments
to isolate workloads from each other
and secure them individually.
This allows system administrators to set policies
that limit traffic between different parts of the network
using a zero trust approach.
With micro-segmentation,
administrators can apply security policies
based on server roles, application tags,
and security templates.
This method ensures
that even if an attacker breaches one system,
they are confined to that specific micro-segment
and cannot move freely across the entire network.
For example, imagine you have two different applications
running in your cloud environment,
like a database and a web server.
With micro-segmentation,
even if an attacker gains access to the web server,
they will be isolated within that specific zone
and will not be able to reach the database
or other critical systems.
This reduces the chances of widespread damage
and makes it easier to contain security incidents.
Micro-segmentation also provides
full accountability and control,
with an automatic audit trail for every action taken.
So remember, segmentation divides a network
into distinct zones
to control and limit access between those different areas,
improving security and reducing the attack surface.
Micro-segmentation takes this approach further
by creating even smaller,
more granular zones within a larger network.
With micro-segmentation, security policies can be applied
at a very detailed level,
isolating workloads and preventing unauthorized movement
across the network.
This enhances control and minimizes risks
by restricting access to only specific segments.
Both segmentation and micro-segmentation
are key tools for maintaining strong security
in complex network environments.