Agile firewall and proxy management is essential for streamlining network security, reducing vulnerabilities, and expediting project delivery. Although these security tools may not be the most exciting topics in IT, they play a crucial role in protecting an organization’s cloud and on-premises environments by controlling access.
The effectiveness of firewalls and proxies hinges on their management and configuration. Here are actionable strategies to enhance security and efficiency.
Managing North-South, East-West Traffic
Enterprise networks typically have distinct zones for workspaces, application servers, and databases, with external firewalls managing traffic between these zones and the internet, termed ‘north-south traffic.’ Conversely, ‘east-west traffic’ flows between internal zones, managed by internal firewalls. Proxies handle outbound traffic from workplace zones to the internet but may also be used for server traffic.
To mitigate network attack surfaces, organizations can customize rule sets for various zones. For example, database servers generally don’t need internet access, so firewalls can block outgoing connections while allowing incoming connections from designated application zones.
Importance of Egress Traffic Controls
While network security usually emphasizes keeping threats out, it’s also vital to consider scenarios where intruders gain access to the network. Egress controls via firewalls or proxies help prevent data exfiltration and stop compromised servers from reaching malicious command-and-control centers. Such controls act as a critical last line of defense against escalating attacks.
Managing Proxy and Firewall Changes
The primary rule in firewall and proxy management is to block all ports by default, only permitting essential traffic. Developers, familiar with their applications, can be empowered to manage firewall and proxy adjustments under a "shift security left" strategy. Nevertheless, tight deadlines may push them to implement overly broad connectivity—opening permissions too widely with an intention to refine later. These temporary fixes can eventually create serious vulnerabilities.
To counter this, mature organizations often adopt two practices:
- Mandating formal security approvals for specific changes through the CISO organization.
- Centralizing the implementation of firewall and proxy rule changes.
Some institutions schedule regular change board meetings for approvals, which aids in maintaining security but may introduce delays, especially if change requests aren’t precisely executed on the first try.
Conducting Post-Implementation Rule Set Audits
Regular audits of firewall and proxy rule sets are critical for ongoing security. However, auditing should not replace a stringent approval process; firewalls and proxies remain at risk of external threats. Misconfigurations may leave systems vulnerable before audits can identify them.
Blocking insecure connections on an already live system may necessitate rebuilding solutions, which is often complex and costly. Prioritizing prevention of risky changes is essential.
Automating Approvals for Efficiency
One of the biggest challenges in firewall and proxy management is finding a balance between speed and security. Each pending change can potentially delay crucial projects. The recommended approach depends on the risk associated with a change:
- High-risk changes (e.g., remote desktop access from the internet) are nearly always denied.
- Medium-risk changes (e.g., requests for unusual protocols or wide IP range openings) need scrutiny from security teams.
- Low-risk changes (e.g., standard HTTPS traffic) can often proceed without validation.
Streamlining the approval process for medium- and low-risk changes can greatly enhance efficiency. For low-risk changes, automating approvals and implementations can significantly speed up operations without jeopardizing security.
Integration with a Firewall and Proxy Changes API can enable self-service for low-risk modifications. The API checks whether the requestor has an adequate role and that the modification adheres to the organization’s criteria for low-risk changes before deploying it.
The Take Home Message
Effective management of firewalls and proxies requires a delicate balance of enabling innovation while ensuring robust security. As organizations adopt modern infrastructure and automation solutions, they can efficiently manage low-risk changes to minimize bureaucratic delays while maintaining security.
Achieving this balance is vital for fostering an agile application environment resilient against evolving cyber threats.
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