How can you monitor network traffic for security?

Monitoring network traffic is a vital part of ensuring the security of your IT infrastructure. Network traffic refers to the data that flows between devices and servers on your network, and it can reveal a lot of information about the performance, health, and activity of your system. By analyzing network traffic, you can detect and prevent potential threats, such as malware, intrusions, data breaches, and denial-of-service attacks. In this article, we will explain how you can monitor network traffic for security using some common tools and techniques.

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1 Identify your network assets

The first step to monitor network traffic for security is to identify your network assets, such as routers, switches, firewalls, servers, workstations, and devices. You need to know what devices are connected to your network, what services they provide, what protocols they use, and what ports they listen on. This will help you establish a baseline of normal network behavior and identify any anomalies or deviations. You can use tools like Nmap, Netstat, or Ping to scan and map your network assets.

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Pedro Henriques Guimarães Filho

Vendedor e Gestor na INDICCA.COM | DPO - Comunidade LGPD / LGPD Labs
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Na minha experiência é necessário utilizar uma ferramenta que automatize este propósito. Existe muitas e na INDICCA.COM usamos o ZABBIX e PFSENSE. Importante entender que existe uma medição de status ON ou OFF, mesmo com trafego alto, mostrando que está operando ou precisa de intervenção. Uma outra percepção é avaliar o que acontece de navegação e uso, neste sentido tem o intuito de auditar e treinar sua equipe para FOCO no trabalho e RESULTADO.

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2 Choose a network monitoring tool

The next step is to choose a network monitoring tool that suits your needs and budget. A network monitoring tool is a software or hardware device that collects, analyzes, and displays network traffic data. There are many types of network monitoring tools, such as packet analyzers, network performance monitors, network security monitors, and network management systems. Some examples of popular network monitoring tools are Wireshark, Nagios, Snort, and SolarWinds. You should consider factors like the features, compatibility, scalability, and cost of the tool before selecting one.

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Steffen Schoch

Netzwerksicherheit modern gedacht.
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Viele Leute sehen Monitoringtools wie Nagios und Co als Werkzeug, um rechtzeitig über Ausfälle informiert zu werden. Sobald man aber nicht nur einzelne Dienste, sondern die Umgebung außen herum mitbetrachtet, liefert Monitoring zusätzlich gleich noch den Grund für den Ausfall schwarz auf weiß mit. Wenn man diese Daten gelernt hat zu verstehen und die richtigen Schlüsse daraus zieht, wird man von seinem Monitoring rechtzeitig vor einem Ausfall informiert. Bei der Wahl des Netzwerküberwachungstools sollte man darauf achten, was das eigentliche Ziel ist. In einigen Fällen mag das, was passiert ist, ausreichend sein. Oftmals wünschenswert ist aber gleich noch das warum was passiert ist, um künftig diesen Ausfallgrund endgültig zu unterbinden.

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3 Configure the network monitoring tool

The third step is to configure the network monitoring tool according to your network topology and security objectives. You need to decide where to place the tool, how to capture the traffic, what filters to apply, what alerts to set up, and what reports to generate. You also need to ensure that the tool is secure and compliant with your policies and regulations. You can use tools like TCPdump, Tshark, or Netcat to capture the traffic, and tools like BPF, Display Filters, or Wireshark Filters to filter the traffic.

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4 Analyze the network traffic data

The fourth step is to analyze the network traffic data that the tool collects and displays. You need to look for patterns, trends, anomalies, and indicators of compromise in the traffic data. You can use tools like Wireshark Statistics, Nagios Graphs, Snort Rules, or SolarWinds Dashboards to analyze the traffic data. You should also compare the traffic data with your baseline and benchmarks to identify any deviations or issues.

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5 Respond to the network traffic events

The final step is to respond to the network traffic events that the tool alerts you about. You need to verify, investigate, and remediate any suspicious or malicious traffic events that pose a risk to your network security. You can use tools like Ping, Traceroute, Nslookup, or Dig to verify the traffic events, and tools like Netcat, Nmap, Hping, or Scapy to investigate and remediate the traffic events. You should also document, report, and review the traffic events and update your network security policies and procedures accordingly.

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Pedro Henriques Guimarães Filho

Vendedor e Gestor na INDICCA.COM | DPO - Comunidade LGPD / LGPD Labs
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Antes de RESPONDER qualquer evento, entenda sua causa e por que aconteceu. Eventualmente pode ser um acidente, ou pode ser uma atitude involuntária de usuário. Também pode ser voluntária e inocente, sem conhecer o risco. Sua resposta deve avaliar estas condições, pois uma medida burocrática, sempre pode gerar um gargalo em um processo que está andando correto e houve uma falha. Em caso de perceber um erro voluntário, seja pontual. Então a minha dicca da INDICCA é sempre de preservar e melhorar os processos, atuando pontualmente sempre que justificar faze-lo, ou na melhor opção promover um treinamento e capacitar melhor sua equipe para Segurança da Informação, Privacidade e até adequação a LGPD.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Pedro Henriques Guimarães Filho

Vendedor e Gestor na INDICCA.COM | DPO - Comunidade LGPD / LGPD Labs
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Sempre considere o PROCESSO. Nem todas as falhas ou eventos justificam criar uma burocracia ou seja uma RESISTÊNCIA no fluxo do processo. O processo justifica performance, tempo é dinheiro e representa menos custos. Cada intervenção de Segurança no processo pode representar um aumento de custo. Então entenda que a solução mais fácil na maioria das vezes não é a melhor. Seja criativo e atuei de forma pontual. Quando necessário operar mudanças no processo, seja crítico, peça opinião, mantenha o propósito de não levar custos ao processo.

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How can you monitor network traffic for security?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Identify your network assets

2 Choose a network monitoring tool

3 Configure the network monitoring tool

4 Analyze the network traffic data

5 Respond to the network traffic events

6 Here’s what else to consider

IT Outsourcing

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How can you monitor network traffic for security?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your network assets

2 Choose a network monitoring tool

3 Configure the network monitoring tool

4 Analyze the network traffic data

5 Respond to the network traffic events

6 Here’s what else to consider

IT Outsourcing

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