What is Micro-Segmentation?

by | Nov 26, 2022

Micro-segmentation is a method of isolating and securing workloads in data centers and cloud environments by dividing them into zones. Micro-segmentation can be used by system administrators to create policies that use a Zero Trust approach to limit network traffic between workloads. Micro-segmentation is used by businesses to reduce the attack surface of their networks, increase violation containment, and enhance regulatory enforcement.

Since micro-segmentation and software-defined networking (SDN) are related but distinct terms, it’s critical to know the difference. By separating the control and data planes and integrating network intelligence in software, SDN virtualizes network functionality. Traditional networking technology can be used to enforce micro-segmentation, but SDN-enabled micro-segmentation is much more versatile because it allows the system administrators to define and manage protection entirely through software. An increasing number of security and network virtualization vendors are collaborating on micro-segmentation technologies for this and other reasons.

Why is micro-segmentation required?

Micro-segmentation aids networking by establishing “demilitarised zones” for protection both inside and across data centres. Micro-segmentation software restricts an attacker’s ability to travel laterally within a data centre after breaching perimeter defenses by tying fine-grained security policies to individual workloads. This means it will reduce the overall attack surface of a network security incident by eliminating server-to-server threats within the data centre, safely isolating networks from one another, and eliminating server-to-server threats within the data centre.

The Advantages of micro-segmentation

Keep sensitive applications secure

Micro-segmentation improves vulnerability visibility and compliance for sensitive workloads and applications across networks and ecosystems, preventing security incidents from spreading from one compromised VM, service, or container to another.

Comply with regulatory requirements

Micro-segmentation improves protection and guarantees compliance with applications that must adhere to regulatory requirements. To simplify audits and document enforcement, granular visibility and control over sensitive workloads illustrate proper protection and data separation.

Drastically reduce your attack surface

Organizations’ network perimeters disappear as they virtualize on-premises data centres and embrace cloud environments, increasing attack surfaces. New threat vectors include workloads, automation, and API-based attacks. To reduce the attack surface across a variety of workload types and environments, micro-segmentation uses an allow-list model.

Micro-Segmentation Techniques

Micro-segmentation can be implemented in three different ways, depending on the network layer you use. Though the strategy can vary, the overall objective remains the same: to minimize the attack surface while adding access controls to isolated parts.

Micro-segmentation depending on the host

When micro-segmentation is implemented using a software-defined system, this approach is possible. It makes use of the workloads’ native firewall capabilities to provide distributed and fine-grained policy controls. Host-based micro-segmentation can be applied through data centres, cloud, bare metal, and hybrid environments with the help of an agent.

Micro-segmentation based on a network

This method is used to introduce micro-segmentation at the network layer by using VLANs to build segments and IP constructs or ACLs to configure and enforce policies. Smaller networks may also benefit from segmentation firewalls. However, using this method results in network bottlenecks, increased complexity, and coarse-grained segmentation.

Micro-segmentation dependent on hypervisors

The hypervisor can be used to separate and segment workloads since all traffic must pass through it. This strategy makes policy compliance more flexible and allows regulations to be enforced outside of the workload on the hypervisor. However, there are some disadvantages to this strategy, such as vendor lock-ins, a lack of process visibility, and the number of policies supported by the hypervisor, to name a few.

Conclusion

Monitoring traffic and enforcing policies to maintain a clear security posture becomes more difficult as the network becomes broader and more complex. Security teams can gain deep visibility, make segmentation granular down to the host level, and implement policies that follow workloads across distributed and complex environments using a software-defined micro-segmentation system, allowing for reliable, proactive protection against advanced cyber threats.

Micro-segmentation is a method of isolating and securing workloads in data centers and cloud environments by dividing them into zones. Micro-segmentation can be used by system administrators to create policies 

How to get Microsoft Defender Health on Mac Fleet

Managing Macs for multiple companies gives us the opportunity to work in various environment and detect issues where it occurs first & then implement a solution for all others at the same time. Recently there was a requirement to find if there are MDD instances...

Implementing Machine Learning in IT Support Setup

Machine learning has the potential to revolutionize the way IT support businesses operate. This cutting-edge technology can be applied in a number of ways to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and speed of IT support services. Here are some ways that machine learning...

Benefits of Apple Business Managers

Apple Business Manager is a web-based platform designed to streamline the process of purchasing, deploying, and managing Apple devices within a business organization. It allows IT administrators to manage and distribute Apple devices and apps to their employees,...

Adoption of Macs in Enterprise: A Growing Trend

This image belongs to Kandji.io In recent years, there has been a growing trend of enterprises adopting Macs as their primary desktop and laptop computers. This shift in technology can be attributed to several factors, including...

ESG as future of IT

ESG, or environmental, social, and governance, is becoming increasingly important in the field of IT. As technology continues to advance and play a larger role in our daily lives, companies are being held to higher standards in terms of their impact on the environment...

Secure Your Mac with FileVault

FileVault is a built-in encryption tool for Macs that helps protect your data from unauthorized access by encrypting your hard drive. Enabling FileVault is a simple process that only takes a few minutes, and it can give you peace of mind knowing that your data is safe...

Is outsourcing IT to India is better or keeping it inhouse?

There are pros and cons to both outsourcing IT services to India and keeping IT within the company. Ultimately, the decision to outsource or keep IT in-house will depend on the specific needs and goals of the company, as well as the resources and capabilities...

How to be a good SCRUM Master

In an Agile development team, the Scrum Master is a crucial role that helps the team to work effectively and efficiently. A Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating the team's use of the Scrum framework and ensuring that the team is able to deliver high-quality...

Basics of Enterprise Patch Management

Enterprise patch management is the process of ensuring that all the software and applications within an organization are kept up-to-date with the latest patches and updates. This is important because software and applications are constantly being improved and updated...

Cost saving for enterprises by choosing M1 Macs

The M1 Mac has had a significant impact on the enterprise market since its release. As a highly-efficient and powerful machine, the M1 Mac has proven to be a valuable asset to businesses in a variety of industries. One of the key benefits of the M1 Mac is its improved...

CRM Is A Process, Not A Product! How Can We Make CRM A Successful Tool?

CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is software that allows businesses to manage business relationships and information associated with them. It provides a platform that manages interactions with customers, stores information about them, and automates processes...

WE OFFER

Digital Workplace Services

MAC SUPPORT
Automated Tasks

DIGITAL WORKPLACE
 Office IT Support

MODERN WORKPLACE
Intune for Win & Mac

VIRTUAL DESKTOPS
Citrix Virtual Apps

MODERN WORKPLACE
Mac Win iOS Android

ONSITE TECHIES
Mac & Win Trained