defined perimeter

Safe-T SDP- Why Rip and Replace your VPN?

by Blog

 

 

SDP VPN

Although organizations realize the need to upgrade their approach to user access control, deploying existing technologies is holding back the introduction of Software Defined Perimeter (SDP). A recent Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) report on the “State of Software-Defined Perimeter” states that existing in-place security technologies are the main barrier to adopting SDP. One can understand the reluctance to leap. After all, VPNs have been a cornerstone of secure networking for over two decades.

They do provide what they say; secure remote access. However, they have not evolved to secure our developing environment appropriately. The digital environment has changed considerably in recent times. A big push for the cloud, BYOD, and remote workers puts pressure on existing VPN architectures. As our environment evolves, the existing security tools and architectures must evolve, also to an era of SDP VPN. And to include other zero trust features such as Remote Brower Isolation.

Undoubtedly, there is a common understanding of the benefits of adopting the zero-trust principles that software-defined perimeter provides over traditional VPNs. But the truth that organizations want even safer, less disruptive, and less costly deployment models cannot be ignored. VPNs aren’t a solution that works for every situation. It is not enough to offer solutions that involve ripping the existing architectures completely or even putting software-defined perimeter on certain use cases. The barrier to adopting a software-defined perimeter involves finding a middle ground.

 

Before you proceed, you may find the following posts helpful:

  1. Zero Trust SASE
  2. SDP Network
  3. Safe-T approach to SDP
  4. Brownfield Network Automation

 



SDP VPN

Key Safe-T SDP Solution points:


  • The need for zero trust and software defined perimter.

  • The different software defined perimter solutions.

  • The challenges of the legacy VPN.

  • SDP vs VPN.

  • Safe-T SDP deployment models.

 

SDP VPN: Safe-T; Providing the middle ground.

Safe-T is aware of this need for a middle ground. Therefore, in addition to the standard software-defined perimeter offering, Safe-T offers this middle-ground to help the customer on the “journey from VPN to SDP,” resulting in a safe path to SDP VPN.

Now organizations do not need to rip and replace the VPN. Sofware-defined perimeter and VPNs ( SDP VPN ) can work together, yielding a more robust security infrastructure. Having network security that can bounce you between IP address locations can make it very difficult for hackers to break in. Besides, if you already have a VPN solution you are comfortable with, you can continue using it and pair it with Safe-T’s innovative software-defined perimeter approach. By adopting this new technology, you get equipped with a middle-ground that improves your security posture and maintains the advantages of existing VPNs.

Recently, Safe-T has released a new SDP solution called ZoneZero that enhances VPN security by adding SDP capabilities. Adding SDP capabilities allows exposure and access to applications and services. The access is granted only after assessing the trust, based on policies for an authorized user, location, and application. In addition, access is granted to the specific application or service rather than the network, as you would provide with a VPN.

Deploying SDP and single packet authorization on the existing VPN offers a customized and scalable zero-trust solution. It provides all the benefits of SDP while lowering the risks involved in adopting the new technology. Currently, Safe-T’s ZoneZero is the only SDP VPN solution in the market, focusing on enhancing VPN security by adding zero trust capabilities rather than replacing it.

 

The challenges of just using a traditional VPN

VPNOverview

While VPNs have stood the test of time, today, we know that the proper security architecture is based on zero trust access. VPNs operating by themselves are unable to offer optimum security. Now, let’s examine some of the expected shortfalls.

The VPN lacks because they cannot grant access on a granular, case-by-case level. This is a significant problem that SDP addresses. According to the traditional security setup, you had to connect a user to a network to get access to an application. Whereas, for the users not on the network, for example, remote workers, we needed to create a virtual network to place the user on the same network as the application.

To enable external access, organizations started to implement remote access solutions (RAS) to restrict user access and create secure connectivity. An inbound port is exposed to the public internet to provide application access. However, this open port is visible to anyone online, not just remote workers.

From a security standpoint, the idea of network connectivity to access an application will likely bring many challenges. We then moved to the initial layer of zero trust to isolate different layers of security within the network. This provided a way to quarantine the applications not meant to be seen as dark. But this leads to a sprawl of network and security devices.

For example, you could use inspection path control with a hardware stack. This enabled the users to only access what they could, based on the blacklist security approach. Security policies provided broad-level and overly permissive access. The attack surface was too wide. Also, the VPN displays static configurations that have no meaning. For example, a configuration may state that this particular source can reach this destination using this port number and policy.

However, with this configuration, the contextual configuration is not considered. There are just ports and IP addresses, and the configuration offers no visibility into the network to see who, what, when, and how they connect with the device.

More often than, access policy models are coarse-grained, which provides users with more access than is required. This model does not follow the least privilege model. The VPN device provides only the network information, and the static policy does not dynamically change based on the levels of trust.

For example, the user’s anti-virus software is accidentally turned off or by malicious malware. Or maybe you want to re-authenticate when certain user actions are performed. In such cases, a static policy cannot dynamically detect this and change configuration on the fly. They should be able to express and enforce the policy configuration based on the identity, which considers both the user and the device.

 

SDN VPN

The new technology adoption rate can be slow initially. The primary reason could be the lack of understanding that what you have in place today is not the best for your organization in the future. Maybe now is the time to stand back and ask if this is the future that we want.

All the money and time you have spent on the existing technologies are not evolving at pace with today’s digital environment. This indicates the necessity for new capabilities to be added. These get translated into different meanings based on an organization’s CIO and CTO roles. The CTOs are passionate about embracing new technologies and investing in the future. They are always looking to take advantage of new and exciting technological opportunities. However, the CIO looks at things differently. Usually, the CIO wants to stay with the known and is reluctant to change even in case of loss of service. Their sole aim is to keep the lights on.

This shines the torch on the need to find the middle ground. And that middle-ground is to adopt a new technology that has endless benefits for your organization. The technology should be able to satisfy the CTO group while also taking every single precaution and not disrupting the day-to-day operations.

 

  • The push by the marketers

There is a clash between what is needed and what the market is pushing. The SDP industry standard encourages customers to rip and replace their VPN to deploy their Software Defined Perimeter Solutions. But the customers have invested in a comprehensive VPN and are reluctant to replace it.

The SDP market initially pushed for a rip-and-replace model, which would eliminate the use of traditional security tools and technologies. This should not be the recommended case since the SDP functionality can overlap with the VPNs. Although the existing VPN solutions have their drawbacks, there should be an option to use the SDP in parallel. Thereby offering the best of both worlds.

 

Software-defined perimeter: How does Safe-T address this?

Safe-T understands there is a need to go down the SDP VPN path, but you may be reluctant to do a full or partial VPN replacement. So let’s take your existing VPN architecture and add the SDP capability.

The solution is placed after your VPN. The existing VPN communicates with Safe-T ZoneZero, which will do the SDP functions after your VPN device. From an end user’s perspective, they will continue to use their existing VPN client. In both cases, the users operate as usual. There are no behavior changes, and the users can continue using their VPN client.

For example, they authenticate with the existing VPN as before. But the VPN communicates with SDP for the actual authentication process instead of communicating with, for example, the Active Directory (AD).

What do you get from this? From an end user’s perspective, their day-to-day process does not change. Also, instead of placing the users on your network as you would with a VPN, they are switched to application-based access. Even though they use a traditional VPN to connect, they are still getting the full benefits of SDP.

This is a perfect stepping stone on the path toward SDP. Significantly, it provides a solid bridge to an SDP deployment. It will lower the risk and cost of the new technology adoption with minimal infrastructure changes. It removes the pain caused by deployment.

 

The ZoneZero™ deployment models

Safe-T offers two deployment models; ZoneZero Single-Node and Dual-Node.

With the single-node deployment, a ZoneZero virtual machine is located between the external firewall/VPN and the internal firewall. All VPN is routed to the ZoneZero virtual machine, which controls which traffic continues to flow into the organization.

In the dual-node deployment model, the ZoneZero virtual machine is between the external firewall/VPN and the internal firewall. And an access controller is in one of the LAN segments behind the internal firewall.

In both cases, the user opens the IPSEC or SSL VPN client and enters the credentials. The credentials are then retrieved by the existing VPN device and passed over RADIUS or API to ZoneZero for authentication.

SDP is charting the course to a new network and security architecture. But now, a middle ground can reduce the risks associated with the deployment. The only viable option is running the existing VPN architectures parallel with SDP. This way, you get all the benefits of SDP with minimal disruption.

 

SDP VPN

 

Zero Trust Access

Safe-T; A Progressive Approach to Zero Trust Access

by Blog

 

 

Zero Trust SDP

The foundations that support our systems are built with connectivity, not security, as an essential feature. TCP connects before it authenticates. Security policy and user access based on IP lack context and allow architectures with overly permissive access. This will likely result in a brittle security posture enabling the need for Zero Trust SDP and SDP VPN.

Our environment has changed considerably, leaving traditional network and security architectures vulnerable to attack. The threat landscape is unpredictable. We are getting hit by external threats from all over the world. However, the environment is not just limited to external threats. There are insider threats within a user group and insider threats across user group boundaries.

Therefore, we must find ways to decouple security from the physical network and decouple application access from the network. We must change our mindset and invert the security model to a Zero Trust Security Strategy to do this. Software Defined Perimeter (SDP) is an extension of Zero Trust Network ZTN, which presents a revolutionary development. It provides an updated approach that current security architectures fail to address.

SDP is often referred to as Zero Trust Access (ZTA). Safe-T’s package of the access control software is called: Safe-T Zero+. Safe-T offers a phased deployment model, enabling you to progressively migrate to zero-trust network architecture while lowering the risk of technology adoption. Safe-T’s Zero+ model is flexible to meet today’s diverse hybrid IT requirements. It satisfies the zero-trust principles used to combat today’s network security challenges.

 

Before you proceed, you may find the following posts helpful:

  1. Zero Trust SASE
  2. Zero Trust Networking
  3. SDP Network

 



Zero Trust SDP

Key Safe-T Zero Trust Strategy Discussion points:


  • Network challenges.

  • The issues with legacy VPN.

  • Introduction to Zero Trust Access.

  • Safe-T SDP solution.

  • Safe-T SDP and Zero Trust capabilities.

 

Network Challenges

  • Connect First and Then Authenticate

TCP has a weak security foundation. When clients want to communicate and have access to an application: they first set up a connection. Only after the connect stage has been carried out can the authentication stage be accomplished. Unfortunately, with this model, we have no idea who the client is until they have completed the connect phase. There is a possibility that the requesting client is not trustworthy.

 

  • The Network Perimeter

We began with static domains, whereby a fixed perimeter separates internal and external segments. Public IP addresses are assigned to the external host, and private addresses are to the internal. If a host is assigned a private IP, it is thought to be more trustworthy than if it has a public IP address. Therefore, trusted hosts operate internally, while untrusted operate externally to the perimeter. The significant factor that needs to be considered is that IP addresses lack user knowledge to assign and validate trust.

Today, IT has become more diverse since it supports hybrid architectures with various user types, humans, applications, and the proliferation of connected devices. Cloud adoption has become the norm since many remote workers access the corporate network from various devices and places.

The perimeter approach no longer accurately reflects the typical topology of users and servers. It was built for a different era where everything was inside the organization’s walls. However, today, organizations are increasingly deploying applications in public clouds located in geographical locations. These locations are remote from an organization’s trusted firewalls and the perimeter network. This certainly stretches the network perimeter.

We have a fluid network perimeter where data and users are located everywhere. Hence, now we operate in a completely new environment. But the security policy controlling user access is built for static corporate-owned devices within the supposed trusted LAN.

 

  • Lateral Movements

A significant concern with the perimeter approach is that it assumes a trusted internal network. However, 80% of threats are from internal malware or malicious employee that will often go undetected.

Besides, with the rise of phishing emails, an unintentional click will give a bad actor broad-level access. And once on the LAN, the bad actors can move laterally from one segment to another. They are likely to navigate undetected between or within the segments.

Eventually, the bad actor can steal the credentials and use them to capture and exfiltrate valuable assets. Even social media accounts can be targeted for data exfiltration since the firewall does not often inspect them as a file transfer mechanism.

 

  • Issues with the Virtual Private Network (VPN)

What happens with traditional VPN access is that the tunnel creates an extension between the client’s device and the application’s location. The VPN rules are static and do not dynamically change with the changing levels of trust on a given device. They provide only network information, which is a significant limitation.

Therefore, from a security standpoint, the traditional method of VPN access enables the clients to have broad network-level access. This makes the network susceptible to undetected lateral movements. Also, the remote users are authenticated and authorized but once permitted to the LAN. They have coarse-grained access. This creates a high level of risk as undetected malware on a user’s device can spread to an internal network.

Another significant challenge is that VPNs generate administrative complexity and cannot easily handle cloud or multiple network environments. They require the installation of end-user VPN software clients and knowing where the application they are accessing is located. Users would have to change their VPN client software to access the applications at different locations. In a nutshell, traditional VPNs are complex for administrators to manage and for users to operate.

With public concern over surveillance, privacy, and identity theft growing, many people are turning to VPNs to help keep them safer online. But where should you start when choosing the best VPN for your needs?

Also, poor user experience will likely occur as you need to backhaul the user traffic to a regional data center. This adds latency and bandwidth costs.

In recent years, torrenting has become increasingly popular among computer users who wish to download movies, books, and songs. Without having a VPN, you could risk your privacy and security. It is also important to note that you should be very careful when downloading files to your computer as they could cause more harm than good. 

 

Can Zero Trust Access be the Solution?

The main principle that Zero Trust Network Design follows is that nothing should be trusted. This is regardless of whether the connection originates inside or outside the network perimeter. Reasonably, today, we have no reason to trust any user, device, or application; some companies may try and decrease accessibility by using programs like office 365 distribution group to allow and disallow users’ and devices’ specific network permissions. You know that you cannot protect what you cannot see, but you also cannot attack what you cannot see also holds. ZTA makes the application and the infrastructure utterly undetectable to unauthorized clients, creating an invisible network.

Preferably, application access should be based on contextual parameters, such as who/where the user is located and the judgment of the security stance of the device. Then a continuous assessment of the session should be performed. This moves us from network-centric to user-centric, providing a connection-based approach to security. Security enforcement should be based on user context and include policies that matter to the business. It should be unlike a policy based on subnets that have no meaning. The authentication workflows should include context-aware data, such as device ID, geographic location, and the time and day when the user requests access.

It’s not good enough to provide network access. We must provide granular application access with a dynamic segment of 1. Here, an application microsegment gets created for every request that comes in. Micro-segmentation creates the ability to control access by subdividing the larger network into small secure application micro perimeter internal to the network. This abstraction layer puts a lockdown on lateral movements. In addition, zero trust access also implements a policy of least privilege by enforcing controls that enable the users to have access only to the resources they need to perform their tasks.

 

Characteristics of Safe-T

Safe-T has three main pillars to provide a secure application and file access solution:

1) An architecture that implements zero trust access,

2) A proprietary secure channel that enables users to access/share sensitive files remotely and

3) User behavior analytics.

Safe-T’s SDP architecture is designed to substantially implement the essential capabilities delineated by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) architecture. Safe-T’s Zero+ is built using these main components:

The Safe-T Access Controller is the centralized control and policy enforcement engine that enforces end-user authentication and access. It acts as the control layer, governing the flow between end-users and backend services.

Secondly, the Access Gateway is a front-end for all the backend services published to an untrusted network. The Authentication Gateway presents to the end-user in a clientless web browser. Hence, a pre-configured authentication workflow is provided by the Access Controller. The authentication workflow is a customizable set of authentication steps, such as 3rd party IDPs (Okta, Microsoft, DUO Security, etc.). In addition, it has built-in options, such as a captcha, username/password, No-Post, and OTP.

 

Safe-T Zero+ Capabilities

The Safe-T Zero+ capabilities are in line with zero trust principles. With Safe-T Zero+, clients requesting access must go through authentication and authorization stages before accessing the resource. Any network resource that has not passed these steps is blackened. Here, URL rewriting is used to hide the backend services.

This reduces the attack surface to an absolute minimum and follows Safe-T’s axiom: If you can’t be seen, you can’t be hacked. In a normal operating environment, for the users to access services behind a firewall, they have to open ports on the firewall. This presents security risks as a bad actor could directly access that service via the open port and exploit any vulnerabilities.

Another paramount capability of Safe-T Zero+ is implementing a patented technology called reverse access to eliminate the need to open incoming ports in the internal firewall. This also eliminates the need to store sensitive data in the demilitarized zone (DMZ). It can extend to on-premise, public, and hybrid cloud, supporting the most diverse hybrid and meeting the IT requirements. Zero+ can be deployed on-premises, as part of Safe-T’s SDP services, or on AWS, Azure, and other cloud infrastructures, thereby protecting both cloud and on-premise resources.

Zero+ provides the capability of user behavior analytics that monitors the actions of protected web applications. This allows the administrator to inspect the details of anomalous behavior. Forensic assessment is more accessible by offering a single source for logging.

Finally, Zero+ provides a unique, native HTTPS-based file access solution for the NTFS file system, replacing the vulnerable SMB protocol. Besides, users can create a standard mapped network drive in their Windows explorer. This provides a secure, encrypted, access-controlled channel to shared backend resources.

 

Zero Trust Access: Deployment Strategy

Safe-T customers can exclusively select an architecture that meets their on-premise or cloud-based requirements.

 

There are three options:

i) The customer deploys three VMs: 1) Access Controller, 2) Access Gateway, and 3) Authentication Gateway. The VMs can be deployed on-premises in an organization’s LAN, on Amazon Web Services (AWS) public cloud, or on Microsoft’s Azure public cloud.

ii) The customer deploys the 1) Access Controller VM and 2) Access Gateway VM on-premises in their LAN. The customer deploys the Authentication Gateway VM on a public cloud like AWS or Azure.

iii) The customer deploys the Access Controller VM on-premise in the LAN, and Safe-T deploys and maintains two VMs, 1) Access Gateway and 2) Authentication Gateway, both hosted on Safe-T’s global SDP cloud service.

 

ZTA Migration Path

Today, organizations recognize the need to move to zero-trust architecture. However, there is a difference between recognition and deployment. Also, new technology brings with it considerable risks. Chiefly, traditional Network Access Control (NAC) and VPN solutions fall short in many ways, but a rip-and-replace model is a very aggressive approach.

To transition from legacy to ZTA and single packet authorization, you should look for a migration path you feel comfortable with. Maybe you want to run a traditional VPN in parallel or in conjunction with your SDP solution and only for a group of users for a set period. A probable example could be: choosing a server used primarily by experienced users, such as DevOps or QA personnel. This ensures minimal risk if any problem occurs during your organization’s phased deployment of SDP access.

A recent survey by the CSA indicates that SDP awareness and adoption are still in an early stage. However, when you go down the path of ZTA, vendor selection that provides an architecture that matches your requirements is the key to successful adoption. For example, look for SDP vendors who allow you to continue using your existing VPN deployment while adding.

SDP/ZTA capabilities on top of your VPN. This could sidestep the risks if you switch to an entirely new technology.

 

 

Zero trust security for full protection and data safety outline diagram. Labeled educational scheme with network, identity and device verification for safe information protection vector illustration.

Remote Browser Isolation

by Blog

Remote Browser Isolation

In today's digital landscape, where cyber threats continue to evolve at an alarming rate, businesses and individuals are constantly seeking innovative solutions to safeguard their sensitive information. One such solution that has gained significant attention is Remote Browser Isolation (RBI). In this blog post, we will explore RBI, how it works, and its role in enhancing security in the digital era.

Remote Browser Isolation, as the name suggests, is a technology that isolates web browsing activity from the user's local device. Instead of directly accessing websites and executing code on the user's computer or mobile device, RBI redirects browsing activity to a remote server, where the web page is rendered and interactions are processed. This isolation prevents any malicious code or potential threats from reaching the user's device, effectively minimizing the risk of a cyberattack.

Remote browser isolation offers several compelling benefits for organizations. Firstly, it significantly reduces the surface area for cyberattacks, as potential threats are contained within a remote environment. Additionally, it eliminates the need for frequent patching and software updates on endpoint devices, reducing the burden on IT teams.

Implementing remote browser isolation requires careful planning and consideration. This section will explore different approaches to implementation, including on-premises solutions and cloud-based services. It will also discuss the integration challenges that organizations might face and provide insights into best practices for successful deployment.

While remote browser isolation offers immense security benefits, it is crucial to address potential challenges that organizations may encounter during implementation. This section will highlight common obstacles such as compatibility issues, user experience concerns, and cost considerations. By proactively addressing these challenges, organizations can ensure a seamless and effective transition to remote browser isolation.

Matt Conran

Highlights: Remote Browser Isolation

Understanding Remote Browser Isolation

Remote browser isolation, also known as web isolation or browser isolation, is a cutting-edge security technique that eliminates the risks associated with web browsing. By executing web content in a remote environment, separate from the user’s device, remote browser isolation effectively shields users from malicious websites, zero-day attacks, and other web-based threats.

Remote browser isolation utilizes virtualization technology to create a secure barrier between the user’s device and the internet. When a user initiates a web browsing session, the web content is rendered and executed remotely.

At the same time, only the safe visual representation is transmitted to the user’s browser. This ensures that any potentially harmful code or malware is contained within the isolated environment, preventing it from reaching the user’s device.

RBI & Zero Trust Principles

In remote browser isolation (RBI), or web isolation, users’ devices are isolated from Internet surfing by hosting all browsing activity in a remote cloud-based container. As a result of sandboxing internet browsing, data, devices, and networks are protected from all types of threats originating from infected websites

In remote browser isolation, Zero-Trust principles are applied to internet browsing. Remote browser isolation isolates websites that are not trusted in a container so that no website code can execute on endpoints rather than determining which sites are good and which are bad.

Challenge: Various Security Threats

The Internet is a business’s most crucial productivity tool and its most outstanding liability since it exposes it to various security threats. Old methods like blocking known risky domains can protect against some web-browsing threats, but they do not prevent other exploitations. In light of the growing number of threats on the internet, how can organizations protect users, data, and systems?

Challenge: Dynamic Environment 

Our digital environment has been transformed significantly. Unlike earlier times, we now have different devices, access methods, and types of users accessing applications from various locations. This makes it more challenging to know which communications can be trusted. The perimeter-based approach to security can no longer be limited to just the enterprise’s physical location.

Challenge: A Fluid Perimeter

In this modern world, the perimeter is becoming increasingly difficult to enforce as organizations adopt mobile and cloud technologies. Hence, the need for Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) has become integral to the SASE definition. For example, Cisco Umbrella products have several Zero Trust SASE components, such as the CASB tools, and now RBI is integrated into one solution.

**It’s Just a matter of time**

Under these circumstances, the perimeter is more likely to be breached; it’s just a matter of time. A bad actor would then be relatively free to move laterally, potentially accessing the privileged intranet and corporate data on-premises and in the cloud. Therefore, we must assume that users and resources on internal networks are as untrustworthy as those on the public internet and design enterprise application security with this in mind. 

Related: Before you proceed, you may find the following posts helpful for pre-information:

  1. Cisco Umbrella CASB
  2. Ericom Shield
  3. SDP Network
  4. Zero Trust Access

Remote Browser Isolation

A: ) Remote browser isolation (RBI), also known as web isolation or browser isolation, is a web security solution developed to protect users from Internet-borne threats. So, we have on-premise isolation and remote browser isolation.

B: ) On-premise browser isolation functions similarly to remote browser isolation. But instead of taking place on a remote server, which could be in the cloud, the browsing occurs on a server inside the organization’s private network, which could be at the DMZ. So why would you choose on-premise isolation as opposed to remote browser isolation?

C: ) Firstly, performance. On-premise isolation can reduce latency compared to some types of remote browser isolation that need to be done in a remote location.

**The Concept of RBI**

The RBI concept is based on the principle of “trust nothing, verify everything.” By isolating web browsing activity, RBI ensures that any potentially harmful elements, such as malicious scripts, malware, or phishing attempts, cannot reach the user’s device. This approach significantly reduces the attack surface and provides an added layer of protection against threats that may exploit vulnerabilities in the user’s local environment.

So, how does Remote Browser Isolation work in practice? When a user initiates a web browsing session, the RBI solution establishes a secure connection to a remote server instead of directly accessing the website. The remote server acts as a virtual browser, rendering the web page, executing potentially dangerous code, and processing user interactions.

Only the harmless visual representation of the webpage is transmitted back to the user’s device, ensuring that any potential threats are confined to the isolated environment.

Key RBI Advantages & Take Aways

– One critical advantage of RBI is its ability to protect against known and unknown threats. Since the browsing activity is isolated from the user’s device, even if a website contains an undiscovered vulnerability or a zero-day exploit, the user’s device remains protected. This is particularly valuable in today’s dynamic threat landscape, where new vulnerabilities and exploits are constantly discovered.

– Furthermore, RBI offers a seamless user experience, allowing users to interact with web pages just as they would with a traditional browser. Whether submitting forms, watching videos, or accessing web applications, users can perform their desired actions without compromising security. From an IT perspective, RBI also simplifies security management, as it enables centralized control and monitoring of browsing activity, making it easier to identify and address potential threats.

– As organizations increasingly adopt cloud-based infrastructure and embrace remote work, Remote Browser Isolation has emerged as a critical security solution. By isolating web browsing activity, businesses can protect their sensitive data, intellectual property, and customer information from cyber threats. RBI significantly reduces the risk of successful attacks, enhances overall security posture, and provides peace of mind to organizations and individuals.

What within the perimeter makes us assume it can no longer be trusted?

Security becomes less and less tenable once there are many categories of users, device types, and locations. Users are diverse, so it is impossible, for example, to slot all vendors into one user segment with uniform permissions.

As a result, access to applications should be based on contextual parameters such as who and where the user is. Sessions should be continuously assessed to ensure they’re legit. 

We need to find ways to decouple security from the physical network and, more importantly, application access from the network. In short, we need a new approach to providing access to the cloud, network, and device-agnostic applications. This is where Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) comes into the picture.

What is a Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP)?

SDP VPN complements zero trust, which considers internal and external networks and actors untrusted. The network topology is divorced from the trust. There is no concept of inside or outside of the network.

This may result in users not automatically being granted broad access to resources simply because they are inside the perimeter. Security pros must primarily focus on solutions that allow them to set and enforce discrete access policies and protections for those requesting to use an application.

SDP lays the foundation and secures the access architecture, which enables an authenticated and trusted connection between the entity and the application. Unlike security based solely on IP, SDP does not grant access to network resources based on a user’s location.

Access policies are based on device, location, state, associated user information, and other contextual elements. Applications are considered abstract, so whether they run on-premise or in the cloud is irrelevant to the security policy.

Example Technology: VPC Service Controls

VPC Security Controls VPC Service Controls

 

Periodic Security Checking

Clients and their interactions are periodically checked to comply with the security policy. Periodic security checking protects against additional actions or requests not allowed while the connection is open. For example, let’s say you have a connection open to a financial application, and users access the recording software to record the session.

In this case, the SDP management platform can check whether the software has been started. If so, it employs protective mechanisms to ensure smooth and secure operation.

Microsegmentation

Front-end authentication and periodic checking are one part of the picture. However, we need to go a layer deeper to secure the application’s front door and the numerous doors within, which can potentially create additional access paths. Primarily, this is the job of microsegmentation. Microsegmentation can be performed at all layers of the OSI Model.

It’s not sufficient to provide network access. We must enable granular application access for dynamic segments of 1. In this scenario, a microsegment is created for every request. Microsegmentation creates the minimal accessible network required to complete specific tasks smoothly and securely. This is accomplished by subdividing more extensive networks into small, secure, and flexible micro-perimeters.

Example Technology: Network Endpoint Groups (NEGs)

network endpoint groups

 

Deep Dive Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)

SDP provides mechanisms to prevent lateral movement once users are inside the network. However, we must also address how external resources on the internet and public clouds can be accessed while protecting end-users, their devices, and the networks they connect. This is where remote browser isolation (RBI) and technologies such as Single Packet Authorization come into the picture.

What is Remote Browser Isolation? We started with browser isolation, which protects the user from external sessions by isolating the interaction. Essentially, it generates complete browsers within a virtual machine on the endpoint, providing a proactive approach to isolating users’ sessions from, for example, malicious websites, emails, and links. However, these solutions do not reliably isolate the web content from the end-user’s device on the network.

Remote browser isolation takes local browser isolation to the next level by enabling the rendering process to occur remotely from the user’s device in the cloud. Because only a clean data stream touches the endpoint, users can securely access untrusted websites from within the perimeter of the protected area.

**SDP, along with Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)**

Remote browser isolation complements the SDP approach in many essential ways. When you access a corporate asset, you operate within the SDP. But when you need to access external assets, RBI is required to keep you safe.

Zero trust and SDP are about authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) for internal resources, but secure ways must exist to access external resources. For this, RBI secures browsing elsewhere on your behalf.

No SDP solution can be complete without including rules to secure external connectivity. RBI takes zero trust to the next level by ensuring the internet browsing perspective. If access is to an internal corporate asset, we create a dynamic tunnel of one individualized connection. For external access, RBI transfers information without full, risky connectivity.

This is particularly crucial when it comes to email attacks like phishing. Malicious actors use social engineering tactics to convince recipients to trust them enough to click on embedded links.

Quality RBI solutions protect users by “knowing” when to allow user access while preventing malware from entering endpoints, entirely blocking malicious sites, or protecting users from entering confidential credentials by enabling read-only access.

The RBI Components

To understand how RBI works, let’s look under the hood of Ericom Shield. With RBI, for every tab a user opens on their device, the solution spins up a virtual browser in its dedicated Linux container in a remote cloud location. For additional information on containers, in particular Docker Container Security.

For example, if the user is actively browsing 19 open tabs on his Chrome browser, each will have a corresponding browser in its remote container. This sounds like it takes a lot of computing power, but enterprise-class  RBI solutions do a lot of optimizations to ensure that it is not eating up too much of the endpoint resources.

If a tab is unused for some time, the associated container is automatically terminated and destroyed. This frees up computing resources and also eliminates the possibility of persistence.

As a result, whatever malware may have resided on the external site being browsed is destroyed and cannot accidentally infect the endpoint, server, or cloud location. When the user shifts back to the tab, he is reconnected in a fraction of a second to the exact location but with a new container, creating a secure enclave for internet browsing. 

Website rendering

Website rendering is carried out in real-time from the remote browser. The web page is translated into a media stream, which then gets streamed back to the end-user via HTML5 protocol. In reality, the browsing experience is made up of images. When you look at the source code on the endpoint browser, you will find that the HTML code consists solely of a block of Ericom-generated code. This block manages to send and receive images via the media stream.

Whether the user is accessing the Wall Street Journal or YouTube, they will always get the same source code from Ericom Shield. This is ample proof that no local download, drive-by download, or any other contact that may try to hook up into your endpoint will ever get there, as it does not come into contact with the endpoint. It runs only remotely in a container outside the local LAN. The browser farm does all the heavy — and dangerous — lifting via container-bound browsers that read and execute the user’s uniform resource locator (URL) requests. 

**Closing Points: Remote Browser Isolation**

SDP vendors have figured out device user authentication and how to secure sessions continuously. However, vendors are now looking for a way to ensure the tunnel through to external resource access. 

If you use your desktop to access a cloud application, your session can be hacked or compromised. But with RBI, you can maintain one-to-one secure tunneling. With a dedicated container for each specific app, you are assured of an end-to-end zero-trust environment. 

RBI, based on hardened containers and with a rigorous process to eliminate malware through limited persistence, forms a critical component of the SDP story. Its power is that it stops known and unknown threats, making it a natural evolution from the zero-trust perspective.

In conclusion, remote browser isolation is crucial to enhancing security in the digital era. By isolating web browsing activity from the user’s device, RBI provides an effective defense against a wide range of cyber threats. With its ability to protect against known and unknown threats, RBI offers a proactive approach to cybersecurity, ensuring that organizations and individuals can safely navigate the digital landscape. Remote Browser Isolation will remain vital to a comprehensive security strategy as the threat landscape evolves.

Summary: Remote Browser Isolation

In today’s digital landscape, where cyber threats loom large, ensuring robust web security has become a paramount concern for individuals and organizations. One innovative solution that has gained significant attention is remote browser isolation. In this blog post, we explored the concept of remote browser isolation, its benefits, and its potential to revolutionize web security.

Understanding Remote Browser Isolation

Remote browser isolation is a cutting-edge technology that separates the web browsing activity from the local device, creating a secure environment for users to access the internet. By executing web browsing sessions in isolated containers, any potential threats or malicious code are contained within the remote environment, preventing them from reaching the user’s device.

Enhancing Protection Against Web-Based Attacks

One key advantage of remote browser isolation is its ability to protect users against web-based attacks, such as drive-by downloads, malvertising, and phishing attempts. By isolating the browsing session in a remote environment, even if a user unknowingly encounters a malicious website or clicks on a harmful link, the threat is confined to the isolated container, shielding the user’s device and network from harm.

Mitigating Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

Zero-day vulnerabilities pose a significant challenge to traditional web security measures. These vulnerabilities refer to software flaws that cybercriminals exploit before a patch or fix is available. The risk of zero-day exploits can be significantly mitigated with remote browser isolation. Since the browsing session occurs in an isolated environment, even if a website contains an unknown or unpatched vulnerability, it remains isolated from the user’s device, rendering the attack ineffective.

Streamlining BYOD Policies

Bring Your Device (BYOD) policies have become prevalent in many organizations, allowing employees to use their devices for work. However, this brings inherent security risks, as personal devices may lack robust security measures. By implementing remote browser isolation, organizations can ensure that employees can securely access web-based applications and content without compromising the security of their devices or the corporate network.

Conclusion:

Remote browser isolation holds immense potential to strengthen web security by providing an innovative approach to protecting users against web-based threats. By isolating browsing sessions in secure containers, it mitigates the risks associated with malicious websites, zero-day vulnerabilities, and potential exploits. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, remote browser isolation emerges as a powerful solution to safeguard our online experiences and protect against ever-evolving cyber threats.

young-man-wearing-vr-glasses-with-neon-light-futu-2021-12-17-19-01-47-utc

Intent-Based Networking

by Blog

Intent Based Networking

In today's rapidly advancing technological landscape, the demand for efficient and intelligent networking solutions continues to rise. Intent-Based Networking (IBN) has emerged as a transformative approach that simplifies network management, enhances security, and enables businesses to align their network operations with their overall objectives.

Intent-Based Networking represents a paradigm shift in the way networks are designed, deployed, and managed. At its core, IBN leverages automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to interpret high-level business policies and translate them into automated network configurations. By abstracting network complexity, IBN empowers organizations with greater control, visibility, and agility.

1. Policy Definition: IBN relies on a declarative approach, where network administrators define policies based on business intent rather than dealing with low-level configurations. This simplifies the process of managing networks and reduces human errors.

2. Real-Time Analytics: By continuously gathering and analyzing network data, IBN platforms provide actionable insights that enable proactive network optimization, troubleshooting, and security threat detection. This real-time visibility empowers IT teams to make informed decisions and respond swiftly to network events.

3. Automation and Orchestration: IBN leverages automation to dynamically adjust network configurations based on intent. It automates routine tasks, such as device provisioning, policy enforcement, and network provisioning, freeing up IT resources for more strategic initiatives.

1. Enhanced Network Security: IBN's ability to enforce policies consistently across the network enhances security by minimizing vulnerabilities and ensuring compliance. It enables organizations to swiftly identify and respond to security threats, reducing the risk of data breaches.

2. Improved Network Efficiency: IBN's automation capabilities streamline network operations, reducing manual errors and optimizing performance. Through dynamic network provisioning and configuration, organizations can adapt to changing business needs, ensuring efficient resource utilization.

3. Simplified Network Management: The abstraction of network complexity and the use of high-level policies simplify network management tasks. This reduces the learning curve for IT professionals and accelerates the deployment of new network services.

Intent-Based Networking represents a major leap forward in network management, offering organizations unprecedented levels of control, agility, and security. By embracing the power of automation, AI, and intent-driven policies, businesses can unlock the full potential of their networks and position themselves for future success

Matt Conran

Highlights: Intent Based Networking

Understanding Intent-Based Networking

–  Intent-Based Networking is a paradigm shift in network management focusing on translating high-level business objectives into automated network configurations. By leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning, IBN aims to streamline network operations, enhance security, and improve overall network performance. It truly empowers network administrators to align the network’s behavior with business intent.

– IBN offers many benefits that make it a game-changer in the networking realm. Firstly, it enables faster network provisioning and troubleshooting, reducing human error and minimizing downtime. Secondly, IBN enhances network security through real-time monitoring and automated threat response. Additionally, IBN provides valuable insights and analytics, enabling better decision-making and optimized resource allocation.

– Implementing IBN requires careful planning and execution. It integrates various components, such as a centralized controller, network devices with programmable interfaces, and AI-powered analytics engines. Furthermore, organizations must assess their network infrastructure and determine the automation and intelligence needed. Collaborating with experienced vendors and leveraging their expertise can facilitate implementation.

Defining: Intent-Baed Networking

Intent-Based Networking can only be understood if we understand what Intent is. Purpose makes the definition of intent easier to understand because it is a synonym. Intentions or purposes vary from person to person, department to department, and organization to organization. It is possible for an organization to provide the best in class software to schools or to provide the best phones available. The purpose of a business process can be to fulfill the described task as efficiently as possible. It is, of course, the potential for a person to have multiple intentions or purposes. Generally, intent or purpose describes a goal to be achieved.

Example: Cisco DNA

As a network infrastructure built on Cisco DNA, IBN describes how to manage, operate, and enable a digital business using the network. An intent within the industry is translated into a network configuration that fulfills that intent. This is accomplished by defining the intent utilizing a set of (repetitive) steps. Cisco DNA approaches networks using all aspects of IBN (design principles, concepts, etc.).

**Challenge: The Lack of Agility**

Intent-based networking is not just hype; we see many intent-driven networks already with many SD WAN overlay roll-outs. It is a necessary development; from a technology standpoint, it has arrived. However, cultural acceptance will take a little longer. Organizations are looking to modernize their business processes and their networks.

Yet, traditional vertically integrated monolithic networking solutions prohibit the network from achieving agility. This is why we need intent-based networking systems. So, what is intent-based networking? Intent-based networking is where an end-user describes what the network should do, and the system automatically configures the policy. It uses declarative statements instead of imperative statements. 

**Converts the What into How**

You are telling the network what you want to accomplish, not precisely what to do and how to do it. For example, tell me what you want, not how to do it, all of which gets translated behind the scenes. Essentially, intent-based networking is a piece of open networking software that takes the “what” and converts it into the “how.” The system generates the resulting configuration for design and device implementation.

The system is provided with algorithms that translate business intent into network configurations. Humans can not match the speed of algorithms, and this is key. The system is aware of the network state and can ingest real-time network status from multiple sources in a transport and protocol-agnostic way.

**The Desired State**

It adds the final piece of the puzzle by validating in real time that the intent is being met. The system continuously compares the actual to the desired state of the running network. If the desired state is unmet, corrective actions such as modifying a QoS policy or applying an access control list (ACL) can occur. This allows for a closer alignment between the network infrastructure and business initiatives and maintains the network’s correctness.

Related: Before you proceed, you may find the following posts helpful.

  1. Network Configuration Automation
  2. Distributed Systems Observability
  3. Reliability in Distributed Systems
  4. Container Networking
  5. Overlay Virtual Networking

Intent Based Networking

Learning more about intent-based networking is essential to understanding it. An intent is a brief description of the purpose and a concrete, predetermined set of steps that must be executed to (successfully) achieve the Intent. This principle can also be applied to the operation of a network infrastructure. The Intent and its steps precisely describe what needs to be done on the network to accomplish a specific task. 

For example, the application is migrating to the cloud. In this case, the Intent or steps may include the following. First, take the existing access policy for that application from the data center policy, transform the policy into an application policy for Internet access, deploy the procedure on all perimeter firewalls, and change the routing for that application to the cloud.

Critical Principles of Intent-Based Networking:

1. Translation: Intent-based networking automatically translates high-level business objectives into network policies and configurations. By understanding the desired intent, the network infrastructure can autonomously make the necessary adjustments to align with the organization’s goals.

2. Automation: Automation is a fundamental aspect of IBN. By automating routine network tasks, such as provisioning, configuration, and troubleshooting, network administrators can focus on strategic activities that add value to the organization. Automation also reduces the risk of human error, leading to improved network reliability and security.

3. Assurance: IBN provides continuous monitoring and verification of network behavior against the intended state. By constantly comparing the network’s current state with the desired intent, IBN can promptly identify and mitigate any configuration drift or anomalies. This proactive approach enhances network visibility, performance, and compliance.

Benefits of Intent-Based Networking:

1. Simplified Network Management: With IBN, network administrators can easily manage complex networks. By abstracting the complexity of individual devices and focusing on business intent, IBN simplifies network operations, reducing the need for manual configuration and troubleshooting.

2. Enhanced Agility and Scalability: IBN enables organizations to respond quickly to changing business requirements and effortlessly scale their networks. By automating network provisioning and configuration, IBN supports rapid deployment and seamless integration of new services and devices.

3. Improved Network Security: Security is a top concern for modern networks. IBN offers enhanced security by continuously monitoring network behavior and enforcing security policies. This proactive approach reduces the risk of security breaches and enables faster threat detection and response.

4. Optimized Performance: IBN leverages real-time analytics and machine learning to optimize network performance. By dynamically adjusting network configurations based on traffic patterns and user behavior, IBN ensures optimal performance and user experience.

Intent-Based Networking Solution: Cisco SD-Access

The Cisco SD-Access digital network evolution transforms traditional campus LANs into intent-driven, programmable networks. Campus Fabric and DNA Center are Cisco SD-Access’s two main components. The Cisco DNA Center automates and assures the creation and monitoring of the Cisco Campus Fabric.

Cisco Campus Fabric Architecture: In Cisco SD-Access, fabric roles and terminology differ from those in traditional three-tier hierarchical networks. To create a logical topology, Cisco SD-Access implements fabric technology using overlay networks running on a physical (underlay) network.

Underlay networks are traditional physical networks that connect LAN devices such as routers and switches. Their primary function is to provide IP connectivity for traffic to travel from one point to another. Due to the IP-based underlay, any interior gateway protocol (IGP) can be utilized.

Overlay and Underlay Networking

Fabrics are overlay networks. In the IT world, Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE), Dynamic Multipoint Virtual Private Networks (DMVPN), Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), Location Identifier Separation Protocol (LISP), and others are commonly used with overlay networks to connect devices virtually. An overlay network is a logical topology that connects devices over a topology-independent physical underlay network.

Example Overlay Technology: GRE Point to Point

Data & Control Plane

Forwarding and control planes are separated in overlay networks, resulting in a flexible, programmable, and scalable network. To simplify the underlay, the control plane and data plane are separated. As the control plane becomes the network’s brain, it allows faster forwarding and optimizes packets and network reliability. As an underlay for the centralized controller, Cisco SD-Access supports building a fabric using an existing network.

Underlay networks can be automated with Cisco DNA Center. As a result, it is helpful for new implementations or infrastructure growth since it eliminates the hassle of setting up the underlay. For differentiation, segmentation, and mobility, overlay networks often use alternate forwarding attributes in an additional header.

Cisco SD AccessNetworking Complexity

Networks continue to get more complex as traffic demands increase. While software-defined networking (SDN) can abstract the underlying complexities, we must consider how we orchestrate the policy and intent across multi-vendor, multi-domain elements.

To overcome complexity, you have to abstract. We have been doing this with tunneling for decades. However, different abstractions are used at the business and infrastructure resource levels.

At a business level, you need to be flexible, as rules will change and must be approached differently from how the operating system models resources. We must make new architecture decisions for this, as it’s not just about configuration management and orchestrations. None of these can look at the network state, which we need to do.

For this, we need network intelligence. Networks are built and managed today using a manual approach without algorithmic validation. The manual process of networking will not be viable in the future.  Let’s face it: humans make mistakes.

There are many reasons for network outages, ranging from software bugs and hardware/power failure to security breaches. All of these come from a lack of implementation of network security. However, human error is still the number one cause. Manual configuration inhibits us. Intent-based networking eliminates this inhibition.

The traditional approach to networking

In the traditional network model, there is a gap between the architect’s intent and what’s achieved. Not just for device configuration but also for achieved runtime behavior. Until now, there has not been a way to validate the original intent or to have a continuous verification mechanism.

Once you have achieved this level of assurance, you can focus on business needs and not be constrained by managing a legacy network. For example, Netflix moved its control plane to the cloud and now focuses all its time on its customer base.

We have gone halfway and spent billions of dollars on computing storage and applications, but the network still lags. The architecture and protocols have become more complex, but the management tools have not kept pace. Fortunately, now, this is beginning to change.

Software-defined networking; Slow Deployments

SDN shows great promise that could release networking, but deployments have been slow. Primarily down to large cloud-scale organizations with ample resources and dollars. But what can the rest of the industry do if we do not have that level of business maturity?  Intent-based networking is a natural successor to SDN, as many intent-based vendors have borrowed the same principles and common architectures.

The systems are built on the divide between the application and the network infrastructure. However, SDN operates at the network architecture level, where the control plane instructs the data plane forwarding node. Intent-based systems work higher at the application level to offer true brownfield network automation.

SDN and SD-WAN have made considerable leaps in network programmability, but intent-based networking is a further leap to zero-touch self-healing networks. For additional information on SD-WAN, including the challenges with existing WANs, such as lack of agility with BGP ( what is BGP protocol in networking ) and the core features of SD-WAN, check out this SDWAN tutorial.

Intent-Based Networking Use Case

The wide-area network (WAN) edge consists of several network infrastructure devices, including Layer 3 routers, SD-WAN appliances such as Viptela SD-WAN, and WAN optimization controllers. These devices could send diagnostic information for the intent-based system to ingest. The system can ingest from multiple sources, including a monitoring system and network telemetry.

As a result, the system can track application performance over various links. Suppose there is a performance-related problem, the policies are unmet, and application performance degrades.

In that case, the system can take action, such as rerouting the traffic over a less congested link or notifying a network team member. The intent-based system does not have to take corrective action, similar to how IDS/IPS is deployed. These devices can take disciplinary action if necessary, but many use IDS/IPS to alert.

Looking deeper into intent-based networking systems

The intent-based architecture combines machine learning (ML), cognitive computing, and deep analytics, providing enhanced levels of automation and programmability through an easy-to-use GUI. Combining these technologies allows you to move from a reactive to a proactive system.

ML, a sub-application of artificial intelligence (AI), allows intent-based systems to analyze and learn from data automatically without explicit programming. Therefore, it enables systems to understand and predict the data for autonomous behavior. Intent-based networking represents a radical new approach to network architecture and takes networking to the next level in intelligence.

It is not a technology that will be accepted overnight. Its adoption will be slow as, to some, a fully automated network can sound daunting, placing faith in your business, which for many organizations is the network.

However, deploying intent-based networking systems offers a new way to build and operate networks, which increases agility, availability, and security compared to traditional networking.

Intent-based networking (IBN) is transforming the way networks are managed. By shifting the focus from device-centric configurations to intent-driven outcomes, IBN simplifies network management, enhances agility and scalability, improves security, and optimizes network performance. As organizations strive to meet the demands of the digital age, embracing this innovative approach can pave the way for a more efficient and intelligent network infrastructure.

Summary: Intent Based Networking

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, traditional networking approaches often struggle to keep pace with the dynamic needs of modern organizations. This is where intent-based networking (IBN) steps in, revolutionizing how networks are designed, managed, and optimized. By leveraging automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, IBN empowers businesses to align their network infrastructure with their intent, enhancing efficiency, agility, and security.

Understanding Intent-Based Networking

Intent-based networking goes beyond traditional methods by enabling businesses to articulate their desired outcomes to the network rather than manually configuring every network device. This approach allows network administrators to focus on strategic decision-making and policy creation while the underlying network infrastructure dynamically adapts to fulfill the intent.

Key Components of Intent-Based Networking

1. Policy Definition: Intent-based networking relies on clear policies that define the network’s intended behavior. These policies can be based on business objectives, security requirements, or application-specific needs. By translating high-level business intent into actionable policies, IBN streamlines network management.

2. Automation and Orchestration: Automation lies at the heart of IBN. Network automation tools automate routine tasks like configuration, provisioning, and troubleshooting, freeing valuable time for IT teams to focus on critical initiatives. Orchestration ensures seamless coordination and integration between various network elements.

3. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: IBN leverages AI and ML technologies to continuously monitor, analyze, and optimize network performance. These intelligent systems can detect anomalies, predict potential issues, and self-heal network problems in real-time, enhancing network reliability and uptime.

Benefits of Intent-Based Networking

1. Enhanced Network Agility: IBN enables organizations to quickly adapt to changing business requirements and market dynamics. By abstracting the complexity of network configurations, businesses can scale their networks, deploy new services, and implement changes with ease and speed.

2. Improved Security and Compliance: Intent-based networking incorporates security policies directly into network design and management. By automating security measures and continuously monitoring network behavior, IBN helps identify and respond to threats promptly, reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.

3. Optimal Resource Utilization: IBN helps organizations optimize resource allocation across the network through AI-driven insights and analytics. By dynamically adjusting network resources based on real-time demands, businesses can ensure optimal performance, minimize latency, and reduce operational costs.

Conclusion:

Intent-based networking represents a paradigm shift in network management, offering a holistic approach to meet the ever-evolving demands of modern businesses. By aligning network behavior with business intent, automating configuration and management tasks, and leveraging AI-driven insights, IBN empowers organizations to unlock new levels of agility, security, and efficiency in their network infrastructure.

kubernetes security best practice

Kubernetes Security Best Practice

by Blog

Kubernetes Securtiy Best Practices

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, Kubernetes has emerged as a powerful platform for managing containerized applications. However, with great power comes great responsibility, especially when it comes to security. In this blog post, we will explore essential best practices to ensure the utmost security in your Kubernetes environment.

Limiting Privileges: To kickstart our journey towards robust security, it is crucial to implement strict access controls and limit privileges within your Kubernetes cluster. Employing the principle of least privilege ensures that only authorized individuals or processes can access sensitive resources and perform critical actions.

Regular Updates and Patching: Keeping your Kubernetes cluster up to date with the latest security patches is a fundamental aspect of maintaining a secure environment. Regularly monitor for new releases, security advisories, and patches provided by the Kubernetes community. Promptly apply these updates to mitigate potential vulnerabilities and safeguard against known exploits.

Network Policies and Segmentation: Implementing proper network policies and segmentation is paramount for securing your Kubernetes cluster. Define robust network policies to control inbound and outbound traffic, restricting communication between pods and external entities. Employ network segmentation techniques to isolate critical workloads, reducing the attack surface and improving overall security posture.

Container Image Security: Containers play a vital role in the Kubernetes ecosystem, and ensuring the security of container images is of utmost importance. Embrace secure coding practices, regularly scan container images for vulnerabilities, and utilize image signing and verification techniques. Implementing image provenance and enforcing image validation policies are also effective measures to enhance container image security.

Logging, Monitoring, and Auditing: Establishing a comprehensive logging, monitoring, and auditing strategy is crucial for detecting and mitigating security incidents within your Kubernetes cluster. Configure centralized logging to gather and analyze logs from various components. Leverage monitoring tools and implement alerting mechanisms to promptly identify and respond to potential security breaches. Regularly audit and review activity logs to track any suspicious behavior.

Securing your Kubernetes environment requires a diligent and proactive approach. By implementing best practices such as limiting privileges, regular updates, network policies, container image security, and robust logging and monitoring, you can significantly enhance the security of your Kubernetes cluster. Stay vigilant, stay updated, and prioritize security to protect your valuable applications and data.

Matt Conran

Highlights: Kubernetes Securtiy Best Practices

The Move to the Cloud

– Cloud workloads are typically managed with Kubernetes as they move to the cloud. Kubernetes’ popularity can be attributed to its declarative nature: It abstracts infrastructure details and allows users to specify which workloads they want to run. App teams only need to set up configurations in Kubernetes to deploy their applications; they don’t need to worry about how workloads are deployed, where workloads run, or other details like networking.

– To achieve this abstraction, Kubernetes manages the creation, shutdown, and restart of workloads. As a typical implementation, workloads can be scheduled on any available network resource (physical host or virtual machine) based on their requirements. Kubernetes clusters consist of resources that run workloads.

– As needed, Kubernetes restarts unresponsive nodes based on the status of workloads (which are deployed as pods in Kubernetes). It also manages the network between pods and hosts and pod communication. Network plug-ins allow you to select the type of networking technology. Although the network plug-in has some configuration options, you cannot directly control networking behavior (either IP address assignment or scheduling).

An Orchestration Tool

Kubernetes has quickly become the de facto orchestration tool for deploying Kubernetes microservices and containers to the cloud. It offers a way of running groups of resources as a cluster and provides an entirely different abstraction level to single container deployments, allowing better management. From a developer’s perspective, it will enable the rolling out of new features that align with business demands while not worrying about the underlying infrastructure complexities.

Security Pitfalls: But there are pitfalls to consider when considering Kubernetes security best practices and Docker container security. Security teams must maintain the required visibility, compliance, and control, which is difficult because they do not control the underlying infrastructure. To help you on your security journey, you should introduce a chaos engineering project, specifically chaos engineering kubernetes.

This will help you find the breaking points and performance-related issues that may indirectly create security gaps in your Kubernetes cluster, making the cluster acceptable to Kubernetes attack vectors.

Before you proceed, you may find the following posts helpful:

  1. OpenShift SDN
  2. Hands On Kubernetes
  3. Kubernetes Network Namespace

 

Kubernetes Securtiy Best Practices

As workloads move to the cloud, Kubernetes is the most common orchestrator for managing them. Kubernetes’s popularity is due to its declarative nature: It abstracts infrastructure details and allows users to specify the workloads they want to run and the desired outcomes.

However, securing, observing, and troubleshooting containerized workloads on Kubernetes is challenging. It requires a range of considerations, from infrastructure choices and cluster configuration to deployment controls, runtime, and network security. Keep in mind that Kubernetes is not secure by default.

Kubernetes Architecture

Before we delve into some of Kubernetes’ security best practices and attack vectors, let’s recap Kubernetes Networking 101. Within Kubernetes, four common constructs will always be: pods, services, labels, and replication controllers. All constructs combine to create an entire application stack.

Pods

Pods are the smallest scheduling unit within a Kubernetes environment. They hold a set of closely related containers. Containers within a Pod share the same network namespace and must be installed on the same physical host. This enables processing locally without latency traversing from one physical host to another.

Labels

As I said, containers within a pod share the same network namespaces. As a result, the containers within a pod can reach each other’s ports on localhost. Therefore, we need to introduce a tagging mechanism known as labels. Labels offer another level of abstraction by tagging items as a group. They are essentially key-value pairs categorizing constructs. For example, labels distinguish containers as part of an application stack’s web or database tier.

Replication Controllers (RC)

Then, we have replication controllers. Their primary purpose is to manage the pods’ lifecycle and state by ensuring the desired state always matches the actual state. The replication controllers ensure the correct numbers are running by creating or removing pods at any time.

Services

Other standard Kubernetes components are services. Services represent groups of pods acting as one, allowing pods to access services in other pods without directing service-destined traffic to the pod IP. Pods are targeted by accessing a service that represents a group of pods. A service can be analogous to a load balancer in front of a pod accepting front-end service-destined traffic.

Kubernetes API server

Finally, the Kubernetes API server validates and configures data for the API objects, which include the constructs mentioned above—pods, services, and replication controllers, to name a few. Also, consider the practice of chaos engineering to understand your Kubernetes environment better and test for resilience and breaking points. Chaos engineering Kubernetes breaks your system to help you better understand it.

Listing Kubernetes Security Controls

  • Regularly Update Kubernetes:

Keeping your Kubernetes environment up to date is one of the fundamental aspects of maintaining a secure cluster. Regularly updating Kubernetes ensures you have the latest security patches and bug fixes, reducing the risk of potential vulnerabilities.

  • Enable RBAC (Role-Based Access Control):

Implementing Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is crucial for controlling and restricting user access within your Kubernetes cluster. By assigning appropriate roles and permissions to users, you can ensure that only authorized personnel can perform specific operations, minimizing the chances of unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

  • Use Network Policies:

Kubernetes Network Policies allow you to define and enforce rules for network traffic within your cluster. Effectively utilizing network policies can isolate workloads, control ingress and egress traffic, and prevent unauthorized communication between pods. This helps reduce the attack surface and enhance the overall security posture of your Kubernetes environment.

  • Employ Pod Security Policies:

Pod Security Policies (PSPs) enable you to define security configurations and restrictions for pods running in your Kubernetes cluster. By defining PSPs, you can enforce policies like running pods with non-root users, disallowing privileged containers, and restricting host namespace sharing. These policies help prevent malicious activities and reduce the impact of potential security breaches.

  • Implement Image Security:

Ensuring the security of container images is crucial to protect your Kubernetes environment. Employing image scanning tools and registries that provide vulnerability assessments allows you to identify and address potential security issues within your images. Additionally, only using trusted and verified images from reputable sources reduces the risk of running compromised or malicious containers.

  • Monitor and Audit Cluster Activity:

Implementing robust monitoring and auditing mechanisms is essential for promptly detecting and responding to security incidents. By leveraging Kubernetes-native monitoring solutions, you can gain visibility into cluster activity, detect anomalies, and generate alerts for suspicious behavior. Furthermore, regularly reviewing audit logs helps identify potential security breaches and provides valuable insights for enhancing the security posture of your Kubernetes environment.

**Understanding GKE-Native Monitoring**

GKE-native monitoring provides a seamless and integrated way to collect, analyze, and visualize metrics and logs from your GKE clusters. By leveraging Google Cloud’s robust monitoring services like Stackdriver, GKE offers a comprehensive solution for monitoring the health and performance of your applications. With GKE-native monitoring, you gain valuable insights into resource utilization, latency, error rates, and more, enabling you to make data-driven decisions and ensure optimal performance.

Logging plays a crucial role in understanding your applications’ behavior and diagnosing issues. GKE-native logging allows you to capture and analyze logs from your GKE clusters effortlessly. With Stackdriver Logging, you can collect logs from various sources, including application logs, system logs, and even logs from managed services running on GKE. This unified logging platform provides powerful filtering, searching, and alerting capabilities, making troubleshooting issues easier and gaining deeper insights into your system.

Kubernetes Attack Vectors

The hot topic for security teams is improving Kubernetes security, implementing Kubernetes security best practices within the cluster, and making container networking deployments more secure. Kubernetes is a framework that provides infrastructure and features. However, thinking outside the box regarding Kubernetes’ best security practices would be best.

We are not saying that Kubernetes doesn’t have built-in security features to protect your application architecture! These include logging and monitoring, debugging and introspection, identity, and authorization. But ask yourself: Do these defaults cover all aspects of your security requirements? Remember that much of the complexity with Kubernetes can be abstract with OpenShift networking.

Traditional Security Constructs  

A: -) Traditional security constructs don’t work with containers, as we have seen with the introduction of Zero Trust Networking. Containers have a different security model as they are short-lived and immutable. For example, securing containers differs from securing a virtual machine (VM).

B: -) For one, the attack surface is smaller, as containers usually only live for about a week, as opposed to a VM that may stay online forever. As a result, we need to manage vulnerabilities and compliance throughout the container scheduler lifecycle—from build tools to image registries to production.

C: -) How do you measure security within a Kubernetes environment? No one can ever be 100% secure, but one should follow certain best practices to harden the gates against bad actors. You can have different levels of security within other parts of the Kubernetes domain. However, a general Kubernetes security best practice would be introducing as many layers of protection as possible between your Kubernetes environment and the bad actors to secure valuable company assets.

Hacker sophistication

Hackers are growing in sophistication. We started with script kiddies in the 1980s and are now entering a world of artificial intelligence ( AI ) and machine learning (ML) in the hands of bad actors. They have the tools to throw everything and anything at your Kubernetes environment, dynamically changing attack vectors on the fly. If you haven’t adequately secured the domain, once a bad actor gains access to your environment, they can move laterally throughout the application stack, silently accessing valuable assets.

Kubernetes Security Best Practice: Security 101

Now that you understand the most commonly used Kubernetes constructs let’s explore some of the best practices for central Kubernetes security and attack vectors.

**Kubernetes API**

Firstly, a bad actor can attack the Kubernetes API server to attack the cluster further. By design, each pod has a service account associated with it. The service account has full permissions and sufficient privileges to access the Kubernetes API server. A bad actor can get the token mounted in the pod and then use that token to gain access to the API server.

Unfortunately, once they can access the Kubernetes API server, they can get information, such as secrets, to compromise the cluster further. For example, a bad actor could access the database server where sensitive and regulatory data is held.

**Kubernetes API – Mitigate**

Another way to mitigate a Kubernetes API attack is to introduce role-based access control (RBAC). Essentially, RBAC gives rules to service accounts that can be assigned to the entire cluster. RBAC allows you to set permission on individual constructs such as pods and containers and then define rules based on personal use cases.

Another Kubernetes best practice would be to introduce an API server firewall. This firewall would work similarly to a standard firewall, where you can allow and block ranges of addresses. Essentially, this narrows the attack surface, hardening Kubernetes security.

**Secure pods with network policy**

Introducing ingress and egress network policies would allow you to block network access to certain pods. Only then can certain pods communicate with each other. For example, network policies can be set up to restrict the web front end from communicating directly to the database tier.

There is also a risk of a user implementing unsecured pods. In this case, you can have network policies in place so that if an unsecured pod does appear in the Kubernetes environment, the Kubernetes API will reject it.

Remember, left to its defaults, intra-cluster pod-to-pod communication is open. You may think a bad actor could sniff this traffic, but that’s harder to do than in everyday environments. A better strategy to harden Kubernetes security would be to use a network policy that only allows certain pods to communicate with each other.

**Container escape**

In the past, an unpatched kernel or a bug in the web front-end allowed a bad actor to exit a container and gain access to other containers or even to the Kubelet process itself. Once the bad actor gets access to the Kubelet client, it can access the API server, gaining a further foothold in the Kubernetes environment.

**Sandboxed Pods**

One way to mitigate a container escape would be to introduce sandboxed pods inside a lightweight VM. A sandboxed pod provides additional barriers to security as it lies above the kernel itself. Providing layers of protection above the kernel brings many Kubernetes security advantages. As the sandboxed pod runs inside a VM, an additional bug is required to break out of the container if there is a kernel exploit.

**Scanning containers**

For adequate Kubernetes security, you should know if your container image is vulnerable. Running containers with vulnerabilities exposes the entire system to attacks. Scanning all container images to discover and remove known vulnerabilities would be best. The scanning function should integrate runtime enforcement and remediation capabilities, enabling a secure and compliant SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle).

**Restrict access to Kubectl**

Kubectl is a powerful command-line interface for running commands against Kubernetes clusters. It allows you to create and update resources in a Kubernetes environment. Due to its potential, one should restrict access to this tool with firewall rules.

Disabling the Kubernetes dashboard is a must, as it has been part of some high-profile compromises. Previously, bad actors accessed a publicly unrestricted Kubernetes dashboard and privileged account credentials to access resources and mine cryptocurrency.

As Kubernetes adoption continues to grow, ensuring the security of your cluster becomes increasingly essential. By following these Kubernetes security best practices, you can establish a robust security foundation for your infrastructure and applications.

Regularly updating Kubernetes, enabling RBAC, utilizing network policies, employing pod security policies, implementing image security measures, and monitoring cluster activity will significantly enhance your security posture. Embracing these best practices will protect your organization’s sensitive data and provide peace of mind in today’s ever-evolving threat landscape.

Summary: Kubernetes Securtiy Best Practices

In today’s digital landscape, ensuring the security of your Kubernetes cluster has become more critical than ever. With the increasing adoption of containerization and the rise of cloud-native applications, safeguarding your infrastructure from potential threats is a top priority. This blog post guided you through some essential Kubernetes security best practices to help you fortify your cluster and protect it against possible vulnerabilities.

Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

RBAC is a fundamental security feature in Kubernetes that allows you to define and enforce fine-grained access control policies within your cluster. You can ensure that only authorized entities can access critical resources by assigning appropriate roles and permissions to users and service accounts. This helps mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and potential privilege escalation.

Section 2: Enable Network Policies

Network policies provide a powerful means of controlling inbound and outbound network traffic within your Kubernetes cluster. By defining and enforcing network policies, you can segment your applications, restrict communication between different components, and reduce the attack surface. This helps protect your cluster from potential lateral movement by malicious entities.

Regularly Update Kubernetes Components

Keeping your Kubernetes components up to date is crucial for maintaining a secure cluster. Regularly updating to the latest stable versions helps ensure you benefit from bug fixes, security patches, and new security features introduced by the Kubernetes community. Additionally, monitoring security bulletins and promptly addressing reported vulnerabilities is essential for maintaining a robust and secure cluster.

Container Image Security

Containers play a central role in Kubernetes deployments, and securing container images is vital to maintaining a secure cluster. Implementing a robust image scanning process as part of your CI/CD pipeline helps identify and mitigate vulnerabilities present in container images before they are deployed into production. Additionally, leveraging trusted image registries and employing image signing and verification techniques helps ensure the integrity and authenticity of your container images.

Monitor and Audit Cluster Activity

Monitoring and auditing the activity within your Kubernetes cluster is essential for detecting and responding to potential security incidents. Leveraging Kubernetes-native monitoring tools and incorporating security-specific metrics and alerts can provide valuable insights into your cluster’s health and security. Additionally, enabling audit logging and analyzing the generated logs can help identify suspicious behavior, track changes, and support forensic investigations if necessary.

Conclusion:

Securing your Kubernetes cluster is a multi-faceted endeavor that requires a proactive approach and adherence to best practices. By implementing RBAC, enabling network policies, regularly updating components, ensuring container image security, and monitoring cluster activity, you can significantly enhance the security posture of your Kubernetes environment. Remember, a well-protected cluster not only safeguards your applications and data but also instills confidence in your customers and stakeholders.

Cyber security threat. Computer screen with programming code. Internet and network security. Stealing private information. Using technology to steal password and private data. Cyber attack crime

Software defined perimeter (SDP) A disruptive technology

by Blog

Software-Defined Perimeter

In the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, organizations are constantly seeking innovative solutions to protect their sensitive data and networks from potential threats. One such solution that has gained significant attention is the Software Defined Perimeter (SDP). In this blog post, we will delve into the concept of SDP, its benefits, and how it is reshaping the future of network security.

The concept of SDP revolves around the principle of zero trust architecture. Unlike traditional network security models that rely on perimeter-based defenses, SDP adopts a more dynamic approach by providing secure access to users and devices based on their identity and context. By creating individualized and isolated connections, SDP reduces the attack surface and minimizes the risk of unauthorized access.

1. Identity-Based Authentication: SDP leverages strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and certificate-based authentication to verify the identity of users and devices.

2. Dynamic Access Control: SDP employs contextual information such as user location, device health, and behavior analysis to dynamically enforce access policies. This ensures that only authorized entities can access specific resources.

3. Micro-Segmentation: SDP enables micro-segmentation, dividing the network into smaller, isolated segments. This ensures that even if one segment is compromised, the attacker's lateral movement is restricted.

1. Enhanced Security: SDP significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and lateral movement, making it challenging for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities.

2. Improved User Experience: SDP enables seamless and secure access to resources, regardless of user location or device type. This enhances productivity and simplifies the user experience.

3. Scalability and Flexibility: SDP can easily adapt to changing business requirements and scale to accommodate growing networks. It offers greater agility compared to traditional security models.

As organizations face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, the need for advanced network security solutions becomes paramount. Software Defined Perimeter (SDP) presents a paradigm shift in the way we approach network security, moving away from traditional perimeter-based defenses towards a dynamic and identity-centric model. By embracing SDP, organizations can fortify their network security posture, mitigate risks, and ensure secure access to critical resources.

Matt Conran

Highlights: Software-Defined Perimeter

Understanding Software-Defined Perimeter

1- ) The software-defined perimeter, also known as Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA), is a security framework that adopts a dynamic, identity-centric approach to protecting critical resources. Unlike traditional perimeter-based security measures, SDP focuses on authenticating and authorizing users and devices before granting access to specific resources. By providing granular control and visibility, SDP ensures that only trusted entities can establish a secure connection, significantly reducing the attack surface.

2- )  its core, a Software-Defined Perimeter leverages a zero-trust security model, meaning that trust is never assumed simply based on network location. Instead, SDP dynamically creates secure, encrypted connections to applications or data, only after users and devices are authenticated. This approach significantly reduces the attack surface by ensuring that unauthorized entities cannot even see the network resources, let alone access them.

3- ) an SDP can transform the way organizations approach security. One major advantage is the enhanced security posture, as SDPs effectively cloak network resources from potential attackers. Moreover, SDPs are highly scalable, allowing organizations to quickly adapt to changing demands without compromising security. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for businesses with remote workforces, as it facilitates secure access to resources from any location.

Key SDP Components:

To implement an effective SDP, several key components work in tandem to create a robust security architecture. These components include:

1. Identity-Based Authentication: SDP leverages strong identity verification techniques such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and certificate-based authentication to ensure that only authorized users gain access.

2. Dynamic Provisioning: SDP enables dynamic policy-based provisioning, allowing organizations to adapt access controls based on real-time context and user attributes.

3. Micro-Segmentation: With SDP, organizations can establish micro-segments within their network, isolating critical resources from potential threats and limiting lateral movement.

Example Micro-segmentation Technology:

Network Endpoint Groups (NEGs)

Network Endpoint Groups, or NEGs, are collections of IP address-port pairs that enable you to define how traffic is distributed across your applications. This flexibility makes NEGs a versatile tool, particularly in scenarios involving microsegmentation. Microsegmentation involves dividing a network into smaller, isolated segments to improve security and traffic management. NEGs support both zonal and serverless applications, allowing you to efficiently manage your infrastructure’s traffic flow.


The Role of NEGs in Microsegmentation

One of the standout features of NEGs is their ability to support microsegmentation within Google Cloud. By using NEGs, you can create precise policies that govern the flow of data between different segments of your network. This granular control is vital for security, as it allows you to isolate sensitive data and applications, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access. With NEGs, you can ensure that each microservice in your architecture communicates only with the necessary components, further enhancing your network’s security posture.

 

network endpoint groups

**A Disruptive Technology**

Over the last few years, there has been tremendous growth in the adoption of software-defined perimeter solutions and zero-trust network design. This has resulted in SDP VPN becoming a disruptive technology, especially when replacing or working with the existing virtual private network. Why? because the steps that software-defined perimeter proposes are needed.

Challenge With today’s Security

Today’s network security architectures, tools, and platforms are lacking in many ways when trying to combat current security threats. From a bird’ s-eye view, the zero-trust software-defined perimeter (SDP) stages are relatively simple. SDP requires that endpoints, both internal and external to an organization, authenticate and then be authorized before being granted network access. Once these steps occur, two-way encrypted connections between the requesting entity and the intended protected resource are created.

Example SDP Technology: VPC Service Controls

**What Are VPC Service Controls?**

VPC Service Controls are a security feature in Google Cloud that help define a secure perimeter around Google Cloud resources. By creating service perimeters, organizations can restrict data exfiltration and mitigate risks associated with unauthorized access to sensitive resources. This feature is particularly useful for businesses that need to comply with strict regulatory requirements, as it provides a framework for managing and protecting data more effectively.

**Key Features and Benefits**

One of the standout features of VPC Service Controls is the ability to set up service perimeters, which act as virtual borders around cloud services. These perimeters help prevent data from being accessed by unauthorized users, both inside and outside the organization. Additionally, VPC Service Controls offer context-aware access, allowing organizations to define access policies based on factors such as user location, device security status, and time of access. This granular control ensures that only authorized users can interact with sensitive data.

VPC Security Controls VPC Service Controls

**Implementing VPC Service Controls in Your Organization**

To effectively implement VPC Service Controls, organizations should begin by identifying the resources that require protection. This involves assessing which data and services are most critical to the business and determining the appropriate level of security needed. Once these resources are identified, service perimeters can be configured using the Google Cloud Console. It’s important to regularly review and adjust these configurations to adapt to changing security requirements and business needs.

**Best Practices for Maximizing Security**

To maximize the security benefits of VPC Service Controls, organizations should follow several best practices. First, regularly audit and monitor access logs to detect any unauthorized attempts to access protected resources. Second, integrate VPC Service Controls with other Google Cloud security features, such as Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Cloud Audit Logs, to create a comprehensive security strategy. Finally, ensure that all employees are trained on security protocols and understand the importance of maintaining data integrity.

Benefits of Software-Defined Perimeter:

1. Enhanced Security: SDP employs a zero-trust approach, ensuring that only authorized users and devices can access the network. This eliminates the risk of unauthorized access and reduces the attack surface.

2. Scalability: SDP allows organizations to scale their networks without compromising security. It seamlessly accommodates new users, devices, and applications, making it ideal for expanding businesses.

3. Simplified Management: With SDP, managing access controls becomes more straightforward. IT administrators can easily assign and revoke permissions, reducing the administrative burden.

4. Improved Performance: By eliminating the need for backhauling traffic through a central gateway, SDP reduces latency and improves network performance, enhancing the overall user experience.

Implementing Software-Defined Perimeter:

**Deploying SDP in Your Organization**

– Implementing SDP requires a strategic approach to ensure a seamless transition. Begin by identifying the critical assets that need protection and mapping out access requirements for different user groups.

– Next, choose an SDP solution that aligns with your organization’s needs and integrate it with existing infrastructure. It’s crucial to provide training for your IT team to effectively manage and maintain the system.

– Additionally, regularly monitor and update the SDP framework to adapt to evolving security threats and organizational changes.

Implementing SDP requires a systematic approach and careful consideration of various factors. Here are the critical steps involved in deploying SDP:

1. Identify Critical Assets: Determine the applications and resources that require enhanced security measures. This could include sensitive data, intellectual property, or customer information.

2. Define Access Policies: Establish granular access policies based on user roles, device types, and locations. This ensures that only authorized individuals can access specific resources.

3. Implement Authentication Mechanisms: To verify user identities, incorporate strong authentication measures such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) or biometric authentication.

4. Implement Encryption: Encrypt all data in transit to prevent eavesdropping or unauthorized interception.

5. Continuous Monitoring: Regularly monitor network activity and analyze logs to identify suspicious behavior or anomalies.

For pre-information, you may find the following post helpful:

  1. SDP Network
  2. Software Defined Internet Exchange
  3. SDP VPN

Software-Defined Perimeter

A software-defined perimeter constructs a virtual boundary around company assets. This separates it from access-based controls, restricting user privileges but allowing broad network access. The three fundamental pillars on which a software-defined perimeter is built are Zero Trust:

It leverages micro-segmentation to apply the principle of least privilege to the network, ultimately reducing the attack surface. Identity-centric: It’s designed around the user identity and additional contextual parameters, not the IP address.

The Software-Defined Perimeter Proposition

Security policy flexibility is offered with fine-grained access control that dynamically creates and removes inbound and outbound access rules. Therefore, a software-defined perimeter minimizes the attack surface for bad actors to play with—a small attack surface results in a small blast radius. So less damage can occur.

A VLAN has a relatively large attack surface, mainly because the VLAN contains different services. SDP eliminates the broad network access that VLANs exhibit. SDP has a separate data and control plane.

A control plane sets up the controls necessary for data to pass from one endpoint to another. Separating the control from the data plane renders protected assets “black,” thereby blocking network-based attacks. You cannot attack what you cannot see.

Example: VLAN-based Segmentation

**Challenges and Considerations**

While VLAN-based segmentation offers many advantages, it also presents challenges that need addressing:

1. **Complexity in Management**: With increased segmentation, the complexity of managing and troubleshooting the network can rise. Proper training and tools are essential.

2. **Compatibility Issues**: Ensure that all network devices support VLANs and are configured correctly to avoid communication breakdowns.

3. **Security Oversight**: While VLANs enhance security, they are not foolproof. Regular audits and updates are necessary to maintain a robust security posture.

Spanning Tree Root Switch stp port states

 

The IP Address Is Not a Valid Hook

We should know that IP addresses are lost in today’s hybrid environment. SDP provides a connection-based security architecture instead of an IP-based one. This allows for many things. For one, security policies follow the user regardless of location. Let’s say you are doing forensics on an event 12 months ago for a specific IP.

However, that IP address is a component in a test DevOps environment. Do you care? Anything tied to IP is ridiculous, as we don’t have the right hook to hang things on for security policy enforcement.

Example – Firewalling based on Tags & Labels

Firewall tags

Software-defined perimeter; Identity-driven access

Identity-driven network access control is more precise in measuring the actual security posture of the endpoint. Access policies tied to IP addresses cannot offer identity-focused security. SDP enables the control of all connections based on pre-vetting who can connect and to what services.

If you do not meet this level of trust, you can’t, for example, access the database server, but you can access public-facing documents. Users are granted access only to authorized assets, preventing lateral movements that will probably go unnoticed when traditional security mechanisms are in place.

Example Technology: IAP in Google Cloud

### How IAP Works

IAP functions by intercepting user requests before they reach the application. It verifies the user’s identity and context, allowing access only if the user’s credentials match the predefined security policies. This process involves authentication through Google Identity Platform, which leverages OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, and other standards to confirm user identity efficiently. Once authenticated, IAP evaluates the context, such as the user’s location or device, to further refine access permissions.

### Benefits of Using IAP on Google Cloud

Implementing IAP on Google Cloud offers several compelling benefits. First, it enhances security by centralizing access control, reducing the risk of unauthorized entry. Additionally, IAP simplifies the user experience by eliminating the need for multiple login credentials across different applications. It also supports granular access control, allowing organizations to tailor permissions based on user roles and contexts, thereby improving operational efficiency.

### Setting Up IAP on Google Cloud

Setting up IAP on Google Cloud is a straightforward process. Administrators begin by enabling IAP in the Google Cloud Console. Once activated, they can configure access policies, determining who can access which resources and under what conditions. The system’s flexibility allows administrators to integrate IAP with various identity providers, ensuring compatibility with existing authentication frameworks. Comprehensive documentation and support from Google Cloud further streamline the setup process.

Identity aware proxy

Information & Infrastructure Hiding 

SDP does a great job of hiding information and infrastructure. The SDP architectural components ( the SDP controller and gateways ) are “dark, ” providing resilience against high- and low-volume DDoS attacks. A low-bandwidth DDoS attack may often bypass traditional DDoS security controls. However, the SDP components do not respond to connections until the requesting clients are authenticated and authorized, allowing only good packets through.

A suitable security protocol for this is single packet authorization (SPA). Single Packet Authorization, or Authentication, gives the SDP components a default “deny-all” security posture.

The “default deny” can be achieved because if an accepting host receives any packet other than a valid SPA packet, it assumes it is malicious. The packet will get dropped, and a notification will not get sent back to the requesting host. This stops the survey at the door, silently detecting and dropping bad packets.

What is Port Knocking?

– Port knocking is a security technique that involves sequentially probing a predefined sequence of closed ports on a network to establish a connection with a desired service. It acts as a virtual secret handshake, allowing users to access specific services or ports that would otherwise remain hidden or blocked from unauthorized access.

– Port knocking typically involves sending connection attempts to a series of ports in a specific order, which serves as a secret code. Once a listening daemon or firewall detects the correct sequence, it dynamically opens the desired port and allows the connection. This stealthy approach helps to prevent unauthorized access and adds an extra layer of security to network services.

Sniffing a SPA packet

However, SPA can be subject to Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) attacks. If a bad actor can sniff an SPA packet, they can establish the TCP connection to the controller or AH client. However, there is another level of defense: the bad actor cannot complete the mutually encrypted connection (mTLS) without the client’s certificate.

SDP brings in the concept of mutually encrypted connections, also known as two-way encryption. The usual configuration for TLS is that the client authenticates the server, but TLS ensures that both parties are authenticated. Only validated devices and users can become authorized members of the SDP architecture.

We should also remember that the SPA is not a security feature that can be implemented to protect all. It has its benefits but does not take over from existing security technologies. SPA should work alongside them. The main reason for its introduction to the SDP world is to overcome the problems with TCP. TCP connects and then authenticates. With SPA, you authenticate first and then connect only then.

 

SPA Use Case
Diagram: SPA Use Case. Source mrash Github.

**The World of TCP & SDP**

When clients want to access an application with TCP, they must first set up a connection. There needs to be direct connectivity between the client and the application. So, this requires the application to be reachable and is carried out with IP addresses on each end. Then, once the connect stage is done, there is an authentication phase.

Once the authentication stage is completed, we can pass data. Therefore, we must connect, authenticate, and pass data through a stage. SDP reverses this.

The center of the software-defined perimeter is trust.

In Software-Defined Perimeter, we must establish trust between the client and the application before the client can set up the connection. The trust is bi-directional between the client and the SDP service and the application to the SDP service. Once trust has been established, we move into the next stage, authentication.

Once this has been established, we can connect the user to the application. This flips the entire security model and makes it more robust. The user has no idea of where the applications are located. The protected assets are hidden behind the SDP service, which in most cases is the SDP gateway, or some call this a connector.

Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) SDP

    • With the Cloud Security Alliance SDP architecture, we have several components:

Firstly, the IH & AH are the clients initiating hosts (IH) and the service accepting hosts (AH). The IH devices can be any endpoint device that can run the SDP software, including user-facing laptops and smartphones. Many SDP vendors have remote browser isolation-based solutions without SDP client software. The IH, as you might expect, initiates the connections.

With an SDP browser-based solution, the user accesses the applications using a web browser and only works with applications that can speak across a browser. So, it doesn’t give you the full range of TCP and UDP ports, but you can do many things that speak natively across HTML5.

Most browser-based solutions don’t require additional security posture checks to assess the end-user device rather than an endpoint with the client installed.

Software-Defined Perimeter: Browser-based solution

The AHs accept connections from the IHS and provide a set of services protected securely by the SDP service. They are under the administrative control of the enterprise domain. They do not acknowledge communication from any other host and will not respond to non-provisioned requests. This architecture enables the control plane to remain separate from the data plane, achieving a scalable security system.

The IH and AH devices connect to an SDP controller that secures access to isolated assets by ensuring that the users and their devices are authenticated and authorized before granting network access. After authenticating an IH, the SDP controller determines the list of AHs to which the IH is authorized to communicate. The AHs are then sent a list of IHs that should accept connections.

Aside from the hosts and the controller, we have the SDP gateway component, which provides authorized users and devices access to protected processes and services. The protected assets are located behind the gateway and can be architecturally positioned in multiple locations, such as the cloud or on-premise. The gateways can exist in various locations simultaneously.

**Highlighting Dynamic Tunnelling**

A user with multiple tunnels to multiple gateways is expected in the real world. It’s not a static path or a one-to-one relationship but a user-to-application relationship. The applications can exist everywhere, and the tunnel is dynamic and ephemeral.

For a client to connect to the gateway, latency or SYN SYN/ACK RTT testing should be performed to determine the Internet links’ performance. This ensures that the application access path always uses the best gateway, improving application performance.

Remember that the gateway only connects outbound on TCP port 443 (mTLS), and as it acts on behalf of the internal applications, it needs access to the internal apps. As a result, depending on where you position the gateway, either internal to the LAN, private virtual private cloud (VPC), or in the DMZ protected by local firewalls, ports may need to be opened on the existing firewall.

**Future of Software-Defined Perimeter**

As the digital landscape evolves, secure network access becomes even more crucial. The future of SDP looks promising, with advancements in technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning enabling more intelligent threat detection and mitigation.

In an era where data breaches are a constant threat, organizations must stay ahead of cybercriminals by adopting advanced security measures. Software Defined Perimeter offers a robust, scalable, and dynamic security framework that ensures secure access to critical resources.

By embracing SDP, organizations can significantly reduce their attack surface, enhance network performance, and protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. The time to leverage the power of Software Defined Perimeter is now.

Closing Points on SDP

At its core, a Software Defined Perimeter is a security framework designed to protect networked applications by concealing them from external users. Unlike traditional security measures that rely on a perimeter-based approach, SDP focuses on identity-based access controls. This means that users must be authenticated and authorized before they can even see the resources they’re trying to access. By effectively creating a “black cloud,” SDP ensures that only legitimate users can interact with the network, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

The operation of an SDP is based on a simple yet powerful principle: “Verify first, connect later.” It employs a multi-step process that involves:

1. **User Authentication**: Before any connection is established, SDP verifies the identity of the user or device attempting to connect.

2. **Access Validation**: Once authenticated, the system checks the user’s permissions and determines whether access should be granted.

3. **Dynamic Environment**: SDP dynamically provisions network connections, ensuring that only the necessary resources are exposed to the user.

This approach not only minimizes the attack surface but also adapts to the changing needs of the network, providing a flexible and scalable security solution.

The implementation of a Software Defined Perimeter offers numerous benefits:

– **Enhanced Security**: By hiding network resources and requiring stringent authentication, SDP provides a robust defense against cyber threats.

– **Reduced Attack Surface**: SDP ensures that only authorized individuals have access to specific resources, significantly reducing potential vulnerabilities.

– **Scalability and Flexibility**: As organizations grow, SDP can easily scale to meet their expanding security needs without requiring substantial changes to the existing infrastructure.

– **Improved User Experience**: With its streamlined access process, SDP can improve the overall user experience by reducing the friction often associated with security measures.

Summary: Software-Defined Perimeter

In today’s interconnected world, secure and flexible network solutions are paramount. Traditional perimeter-based security models can no longer protect sensitive data from sophisticated cyber threats. This is where the Software Defined Perimeter (SDP) comes into play, revolutionizing how we approach network security.

Understanding the Software-Defined Perimeter

The concept of the Software Defined Perimeter might seem complex at first. Still, it is a security framework that focuses on dynamically creating secure network connections as needed. Unlike traditional network architectures, where a fixed perimeter is established, SDP allows for granular access controls and encryption at the application level, ensuring that only authorized users can access specific resources.

Key Benefits of Implementing an SDP Solution

Implementing a Software-Defined Perimeter offers numerous advantages for organizations seeking robust and adaptive security measures. First, it provides a proactive defense against unauthorized access, as resources are effectively hidden from view until authorized users are authenticated. Additionally, SDP solutions enable organizations to enforce fine-grained access controls, reducing the risk of internal breaches and data exfiltration. Moreover, SDP simplifies the management of access policies, allowing for centralized control and greater visibility into network traffic.

Overcoming Network Limitations with SDP

Traditional network architectures often struggle to accommodate the demands of modern business operations, especially in scenarios involving remote work, cloud-based applications, and third-party partnerships. SDP addresses these challenges by providing secure access to resources regardless of their location or the user’s device. This flexibility ensures employees can work efficiently from anywhere while safeguarding sensitive data from potential threats.

Implementing an SDP Solution: Best Practices

When implementing an SDP solution, certain best practices should be followed to ensure a successful deployment. Firstly, organizations should thoroughly assess their existing network infrastructure and identify the critical assets that require protection. Next, selecting a reliable SDP solution provider that aligns with the organization’s specific needs and industry requirements is essential. Lastly, a phased approach to implementation can help mitigate risks and ensure a smooth transition for both users and IT teams.

Conclusion:

The Software Defined Perimeter represents a paradigm shift in network security, offering organizations a dynamic and scalable solution to protect their valuable assets. By adopting an SDP approach, businesses can achieve a robust security posture, enable seamless remote access, and adapt to the evolving threat landscape. Embracing the power of the Software Defined Perimeter is a proactive step toward safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring a resilient network infrastructure.

Zero trust security for full protection and data safety outline diagram. Labeled educational scheme with network, identity and device verification for safe information protection vector illustration.

Zero Trust: Single Packet Authorization | Passive authorization

by Blog

Single Packet Authorization

In today's fast-paced world, where digital security is paramount, traditional authentication methods are often susceptible to malicious attacks. Single Packet Authorization (SPA) emerges as a powerful solution to enhance the security of networked systems. In this blog post, we will delve into the concept of SPA, its benefits, and how it revolutionizes network security.

Single Packet Authorization is a security technique that adds an extra layer of protection to your network. Unlike traditional methods that rely on passwords or encryption keys, SPA operates on the principle of allowing access to a specific service or resource based on the successful authorization of a single packet. This approach significantly reduces the attack surface and enhances security.

To grasp the inner workings of SPA, it is essential to understand the handshake process. When a connection attempt is made, the server sends a challenge to the client. The client, in turn, must construct a valid response packet using cryptographic algorithms. This response is then verified by the server, granting access if successful. This one-time authorization greatly reduces the chances of unauthorized access and brute-force attacks.

1. Enhanced Security: SPA adds an additional layer of security by limiting access to authorized users only. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.

2. Minimal Attack Surface: Unlike traditional authentication methods, which involve multiple packets and handshakes, SPA relies on a single packet. This significantly reduces the attack surface and improves overall security posture.

3. Protection Against DDoS Attacks: SPA can act as a deterrent against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. By requiring successful authorization before granting access, SPA mitigates the risk of overwhelming the network with malicious traffic.

Implementing SPA can be done through various tools and software solutions available in the market. It is crucial to choose a solution that aligns with your specific requirements and infrastructure. Some popular SPA implementations include fwknop, SPAProxy, and PortSentry. These tools offer flexibility, customization, and ease of integration into existing systems.

Matt Conran

Highlights: Single Packet Authorization

1) SPA is a security technique that allows secure access to a protected resource by requiring the sender to authenticate themselves through a single packet. Unlike traditional methods that rely on complex authentication processes, SPA simplifies the process by utilizing cryptographic techniques and firewall rules.

2) Let’s explore SPA’s inner workings to better comprehend it. When an external party attempts to gain access to a protected resource, SPA requires them to send a specially crafted packet containing authentication credentials.

3) This packet is unique and can only be understood by the intended recipient. The recipient’s firewall analyzes this packet and grants access if the credentials are valid. This streamlined approach enhances security and reduces the risk of brute-force attacks and unauthorized access attempts.

Zero Trust Security 

Strong authentication and encryption suites are essential components of zero-trust network security. A zero-trust network assumes a hostile network environment. This book does not make specific recommendations about which suites provide strong security that will stand the test of time. However, you can use the NIST encryption guidelines to choose strong cipher suites based on security standards.

The types of suites system administrators can choose from may be limited by device and application capabilities. The security of these networks is compromised when administrators weaken these suites.

Authentication MUST be performed on all network flows.

Zero-trust networks immediately suspect all packets. Before their data can be processed, they must be rigorously examined. As a primary means of accomplishing this, we rely on authentication. For network data to be trusted, its provenance must be authenticated. Without it, zero-trust networks are impossible. We would need to trust it if the network weren’t possible.

Example: Port Knocking

**Understanding Zero Trust Port Knocking**

Zero trust port knocking is an advanced security mechanism that combines the principles of zero trust architecture with the traditional port knocking technique. Unlike conventional port knocking, which relies on a sequence of network connection attempts to open a port, zero trust port knocking requires authentication and verification at every step. This method ensures that only authorized users can access specific network resources, reducing the attack surface and enhancing overall security.

**How Zero Trust Port Knocking Works**

At its core, zero trust port knocking operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” Here’s a simplified breakdown of how it works:

1. **Pre-Knock Authentication**: Before any port knocking sequence begins, users must authenticate their identity using multi-factor authentication (MFA) or other verification methods.

2. **Dynamic Port Sequences**: Once authenticated, users initiate a sequence of port knocks. These sequences are dynamic and change periodically to prevent unauthorized access.

3. **Access Control Policies**: The system checks the user’s credentials and the knock sequence against predefined access control policies. Only valid combinations grant access to the requested resources.

4. **Logging and Monitoring**: All activities are logged and monitored in real-time, providing insights and alerts for suspicious behavior.

The Role of Authorization:

Authorization is arguably the most critical process in a zero-trust network, so an authorization decision should not be taken lightly. Ultimately, every flow and request will require a decision. For the authorization decision to be effective, enforcement must be in place. In most cases, it takes the form of a load balancer, a proxy, or a firewall. We use the policy engine to decide which interacts with this component.

The enforcement component ensures that clients are authenticated and passes context for each flow/request to the policy engine. By comparing the request and its context with policy, the policy engine informs the enforcer whether the request is permitted. As many enforcement components as possible should exist throughout the system and should be close to the workload.

Advantages of SPA in Achieving Zero Trust Security

To implement SPA effectively, several key components come into play. These include a client-side tool, a server-side daemon, and a firewall. Each element plays a crucial role in the authentication process, ensuring that only legitimate users gain access to the network resources.

– Enhanced Security: SPA acts as an additional layer of defense, significantly reducing the attack surface by keeping ports closed until authorized access is requested. This approach dramatically mitigates the risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

– Stealthiness: SPA operates discreetly, making it challenging for potential attackers to detect the service’s existence. The closed ports appear as if they don’t exist, rendering them invisible to unauthorized entities.

– Scalability: SPA can be easily implemented across various services and devices, making it a versatile solution for achieving zero-trust security in various environments. Its flexibility allows organizations to adopt SPA within their infrastructure without significant disruptions.

– Protection against Network Scans: Traditional authentication methods are often vulnerable to network scans that attempt to identify open ports for potential attacks. SPA mitigates this risk by rendering the network invisible to scanning tools.

– DDoS Mitigation: SPA can effectively mitigate Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks by rejecting packets that do not adhere to the predefined authentication criteria. This helps safeguard the availability of network services.

**Reverse Security & Authenticity** 

Even though we are looking at disruptive technology to replace the virtual private network and offer secure segmentation, one thing to keep in mind with zero trust network design and software defined perimeter (SDP) is that it’s not based on entirely new protocols, such as the use of spa single packet authorization and single packet authentication. So we have reversed the idea of how TCP connects.

It started with authentication and then a connected approach, but traditional networking and protocols still play a large part. For example, we still use encryption to ensure only the receiver can read the data we send. We can, however, use encryption without authentication, which validates the sender.

**The importance of authenticity**

However, the two should go together to stand any chance in today’s world. Attackers can circumvent many firewalls and secure infrastructure. As a result, message authenticity is a must for zero trust, and without an authentication process, a bad actor could change, for example, the ciphertext without the reviewer ever knowing.

**Encryption and authentication**

Even though encryption and authenticity are often intertwined, their purposes are distinct. By encrypting your data, you ensure confidentiality-the promise that only the receiver can read it. Authentication aims to verify that the message was sent by what it claims to be. It is also interesting to note that authentication has another property.

Message authentication requires integrity, which is essential to validate the sender and ensure the message is unaltered. Encryption is possible without authentication, though this is a poor security practice.

Example Technology: Authentication with Vault

### Why Authentication Matters

Authentication is the gateway to security. Without a reliable authentication method, your secrets are as vulnerable as an unlocked door. Vault’s authentication ensures that clients prove their identity before accessing any secrets. This process minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Vault supports a myriad of authentication methods, from token-based to more complex identity-based systems, ensuring flexibility and security tailored to your needs.

### Exploring Vault’s Authentication Methods

Vault offers several authentication approaches to suit varied requirements:

1. **Token Authentication**: A simple method where clients are granted a token, acting as a key to access secrets. Tokens can be easily revoked, making them an ideal choice for temporary access needs.

2. **AppRole Authentication**: Designed for applications or machines, AppRole provides a role-based method where client applications authenticate using a combination of role ID and secret ID.

3. **Userpass Authentication**: A straightforward username and password method, suitable for human users needing access to Vault.

4. **LDAP, GitHub, and Cloud Auth**: Vault integrates seamlessly with existing enterprise systems like LDAP, GitHub, and various cloud providers, allowing users to authenticate using familiar credentials.

Each method comes with its own set of configuration options and use cases, allowing organizations to choose what best suits their security posture.

Vault

Related: Before you proceed, you may find the following post helpful:

  1. Identity Security
  2. Zero Trust Access
  •  

Single Packet Authorization

SPA: A Security Protocol

Single Packet Authorization (SPA) is a security protocol allowing users to access a secure network without entering a password or other credentials. Instead, it is an authentication protocol that uses a single packet—an encrypted packet of data—to convey a user’s identity and request access. This packet can be sent over any network protocol, such as TCP, UDP, or SCTP, and is typically sent as an additional layer of authentication beyond the network and application layers.

SPA works by having the user’s system send a single packet of encrypted data to the authentication server. The authentication server then uses a unique algorithm to decode the packet containing the user’s identity and request for access. If the authentication is successful, the server will send a response packet that grants access to the user.

SPA is a secure and efficient way to authenticate and authorize users. It eliminates the need for multiple authentication methods and sensitive data storage. SPA is also more secure than traditional authentication methods, as the encryption used in SPA is often more secure than passwords or other credentials.

Additionally, since the packet sent is encrypted, it cannot be intercepted and decoded, making it an even more secure form of authentication.

single packet authorization

**The Mechanics of SPA**

SPA operates by employing a shared secret between the client and server. When a client wishes to access a service, it generates a packet containing a specific data sequence, including a timestamp, payload, and cryptographic hash. The server, equipped with the shared secret, checks the received packet against its calculations. The server grants access to the requested service if the packet is authentic.

Implementing SPA:

Implementing SPA requires deploying specialized software or hardware components that support the single packet authorization protocol. Several open-source and commercial solutions are available, making it feasible for organizations of all sizes to adopt this innovative security technique.

Back to Basics: Zero Trust

Five fundamental assertions make up a zero-trust network:

  • Networks are always assumed to be hostile.
  • The network is always at risk from external and internal threats.
  • To determine trust in a network, locality alone is not sufficient.
  • A network flow, device, or user must be authenticated and authorized.
  • Policies must be dynamic and derived from as many data sources as possible to be effective.

Different networks are divided into firewall-protected zones in a traditional network security architecture. Each zone is permitted to access network resources based on its level of trust. This model provides a solid defense in depth. In DMZs, traffic can be tightly monitored and controlled over riskier resources, like those facing the public internet.

Perimeter Defense

a) Perimeter defenses protecting your network are less secure than you might think. Hosts behind the firewall have no protection, so when a host in the “trusted” zone is breached, which is just a matter of time, access to your data center can be breached. The zero-trust movement strives to solve the inherent problems of placing our faith in the network.

b) Instead, it is possible to secure network communication and access so effectively that the physical security of the transport layer can be reasonably disregarded.

c) Typically, we examine the remote system’s IP address and ask for a password. Unfortunately, these strategies alone are insufficient for a zero-trust network, where attackers can communicate from any IP and insert themselves between themselves and a trusted remote host.

d) Therefore, utilizing strong authentication on every flow in a zero-trust network is vital. The most widely accepted method is a standard named X.509.

zero trust security
Diagram: Zero trust security. Authenticate first and then connect.

A key aspect of zero-trust network ZTN and zero-trust principles is authenticating and authorizing network traffic, i.e., the flows between the requesting resource and the intended service. Simply securing communications between two endpoints is not enough. Security pros must ensure that each flow is authorized.

This can be done by implementing a combination of security technologies such as Single Packet Authorization (SPA), Mutual Transport Layer Security (MTLS), Internet Key Exchange (IKE), and IP security (IPsec).

IPsec can use a unique security association (SA) per application; only authorized flows can construct security policies. While IPsec is considered to operate at Layer 3 or 4 in the open systems interconnection (OSI) model, application-level authorization can be carried out with X.509 or an access token.

Mutually authenticated TLS (MTLS)

Mutually authenticated TLS (Transport Layer Security) is a system of cryptographic protocols used to establish secure communications over the Internet. It guarantees that the client and the server are who they claim to be, ensuring secure communications between them. This authentication is accomplished through digital certificates and public-private key pairs.

Mutually authenticated TLS is also essential for preventing man-in-the-middle attacks, where a malicious actor can intercept and modify traffic between the client and server. Without mutually authenticated TLS, an attacker could masquerade as the server and thus gain access to sensitive data.

Setting Up MTLS

To set up mutually authenticated TLS, the client and server must have digital certificates. The server certificate is used to authenticate the server to the client, while the client certificate is used to authenticate the client to the server. Both certificates are signed by the Certificate Authority (CA) and can be stored in the server and client’s browsers. The client and server then exchange the certificates to authenticate each other.

The client and server can securely communicate once the certificates have been exchanged and verified. Mutually authenticated TLS also provides encryption and integrity checks, ensuring the data is not tampered with in transit.

Enhanced Version of TLS

This enhanced version of TLS, known as mutually authenticated TLS (MTLS), is used to validate both ends of the connection. The most common TLS configuration is the validation, which ensures the client is connected to a trusted entity. However, the authentication doesn’t happen the other way around, so the remote entity communicates with a trusted client. This is the job of mutual TLS. As I said, mutual TLS goes one step further and authenticates the client.

The pre-authentication stage

You can’t attack what you cannot see. The mode that allows pre-authentication is Single Packet Authorization. UDP is the preferred base for pre-authentication because UDP packets, by default, do not receive a response. However, TCP and even ICMP can be used with the SPA. Single Packet Authorization is a next-generation passive authentication technology beyond what we previously had with port knocking, which uses closed ports to identify trusted users. SPA is a step up from port knocking.

Port-Knocking Scenario

The typical port-knocking scenario involves a port-knocking server configuring a packet filter to block all access to a service, such as the SSH service until a port-knocking client sends a specific port-knocking sequence. For instance, the server could require the client to send TCP SYN packets to the following ports in order: 23400 1001 2003 65501.

If the server monitors this knock sequence, the packet filter reconfigures to allow a connection from the originating IP address. However, port knocking has its limitations, which SPA addresses; SPA retains all of the benefits of port knocking but fixes the rules.

SPA & Port Knocking

As a next-generation Port Knocking (PK), SPA overcomes many limitations PK exhibits while retaining its core benefits. However, PK has several limitations, including difficulty protecting against replay attacks, the inability to reliably support asymmetric ciphers and HMAC schemes, and the fact that it is trivially easy to mount a DoS attack by spoofing an additional packet into a PK sequence while it is traversing the network (thereby convincing the PK server that the client does not know the proper sequence).

SPA solves all of these shortcomings. As part of SPA, services are hidden behind a default-drop firewall policy, SPA data is passively acquired (usually via libpcap), and standard cryptographic operations are implemented for SPA packet authentication and encryption/decryption.

Firewall Knock Operator

Fwknop (short for the “Firewall Knock Operator”) is a single-packet authorization system designed to be a secure and straightforward way to open up services on a host running an iptables- or ipfw-based firewall. It is a free, open-source application that uses the Single Packet Authorization (SPA) protocol to provide secure access to a network.

Fwknop sends a single SPA packet to the firewall containing an encrypted message with authorization information. The message is then decrypted and compared against a set of rules on the firewall. If the message matches the rules, the firewall will open access to the service specified in the packet.

No need to manually configure the firewall each time

Fwknop is an ideal solution for users who need to access services on a remote host without manually configuring the firewall each time. It is also a great way to add an extra layer of security to already open services.

To achieve strong concealment, fwknop implements the SPA authorization scheme. SPA requires only a single packet encrypted, non-replayable, and authenticated via an HMAC to communicate desired access to a service hidden behind a firewall in a default-drop filtering stance. The main application of SPA is to use a firewall to drop all attempts to connect to services such as SSH to make exploiting vulnerabilities (both 0-day and unpatched code) more difficult. Because there are no open ports, any service SPA hides cannot be scanned with, for example, NMAP.

Supported Firewalls:

The fwknop project supports four firewalls: Support iptables, firewall, PF, and ipfw across Linux, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, and Mac OS X. We also support custom scripts so that fwknop can be made to help other infrastructure, such as upset or nftables.

fwknop client user interface
Diagram: fwknop client user interface. Source mrash GitHub.

Example use case: SSHD protection

Users of Single Packet Authorization (SPA) or its less secure cousin, Port Knocking (PK), usually access SSHD running on the same system as the SPA/PK software. A SPA daemon temporarily permits access to a passively authenticated SPA client through a firewall configured to drop all incoming SSH connections. This is considered the primary SPA usage.

In addition to this primary use, fwknop also makes robust use of NAT (for iptables/firewalld firewalls). A firewall is usually deployed on a single host and acts as a gateway between networks. Firewalls that use NAT (at least for IPv4 communications) commonly provide Internet access to internal networks on RFC 1918 address space and access to internal services by external hosts.

Since fwknop integrates with NAT, users on the external Internet can access internal services through the firewall using SPA. Additionally, it allows fwknop to support cloud computing environments such as Amazon’s AWS, although it has many applications on traditional networks.

SPA Use Case
Diagram: SPA Use Case. Source mrash Github.

Single Packet Authorization and Single Packet Authentication

Single Packet Authorization (SPA) uses proven cryptographic techniques to make internet-facing servers invisible to unauthorized users. Only devices seeded with the cryptographic secret can generate a valid SPA packet and establish a network connection. This is how it reduces the attack surface and becomes invisible to hostile reconnaissance.

SPA Single Packet Authorization was invented over ten years ago and was commonly used for superuser SSH access to servers where it mitigates attacks by unauthorized users. The SPA process happens before the TLS connection, mitigating attacks targeted at the TLS ports.

As mentioned, SDP didn’t invent new protocols; it was more binding existing protocols. SPA used in SDP was based on RFC 4226 HMAC-based One-Time Password “HOTP.” It is another layer of security and is not a replacement for the security technologies mentioned at the start of the post.

Surveillance: The first step

The first step in an attack is reconnaissance, whereby an attacker is on the prowl to locate a target. This stage is easy and can be automated with tools such as NMAP. However, SPA ( and port knocking ) employs a default-drop stance that provides service only to those IP addresses that can prove their identity via a passive mechanism.

No TCP/IP stack access is required to authenticate remote IP addresses. Therefore, NMAP cannot tell that a server is running when protected with SPA, and whether the attacker has a zero-day exploit is irrelevant.

Process: Single Packet Authentication

The idea around SPA and Single Packet Authentication is that a single packet is sent, and based on that packet, an authentication process is carried out. The critical point is that nothing is listening on the service, so you have no open ports. For the SPA service to operate, there is nothing explicitly listening.

When the client sends an SPA packet, it will be rejected, but a second service identifies it in the IP stack and authenticates it. If the SPA packet is successfully authenticated, the server will open a port in the firewall, which could be based on Linux iptables, so that the client can establish a secure and encrypted connection with the intended service.

A simple Single Packet Authentication process flow

The SDP network gateway protects assets, and this component could be containerized and listened to for SPA packets. In the case of an open-source version of SDP, this could be fwknop, which is a widespread open-source SPA implementation. When a client wants to connect to a web server, it sends a SPA packet. When the requested service receives the SPA packet, it will open the door once the credentials are verified. However, the service still has not responded to the request.

When the fwknop services receive a valid SPA packet, the contents are decrypted for further inspection. The inspection reveals the protocol and port numbers to which the sender requests access. Next, the SDP gateway adds a rule to the firewall to establish a mutual TLS connection to the intended service. Once this mutual TLS connection is established, the SDP gateway removes the firewall rules, making the service invisible to the outside world.

single packet authorization
Diagram: Single Packet Authorization: The process flow.

Fwknop uses this information to open firewall rules, allowing the sender to communicate with that service on those ports. The firewall will only be opened for some time and can be configured by the administrator. Any attempts to connect to the service must know the SPA packet, and even if the packet can be recreated, the packet’s sequence number needs to be established before the connection. This is next to impossible, considering the sequence numbers are randomly generated.

Once the firewall rules are removed, let’s say after 1 minute, the initial MTLS session will not be affected as it is already established. However, other sessions requesting access to the service on those ports will be blocked. This permits only the sender of the IP address to be tightly coupled with the requested destination ports. It’s also possible for the sender to include a source port, enhancing security even further.

What can Single Packet Authorization offer

Let’s face it: robust security is hard to achieve. We all know that you can never be 100% secure. Just have a look at OpenSSH. Some of the most security-conscious developers developed OpenSSH, yet it occasionally contains exploitable vulnerabilities.

Even when you look at some attacks on TLS, we have already discussed the DigiNotar forgery in a previous post on zero-trust networking. Still, one that caused a significant issue was the THC-SSL-DOS attack, where a single host could take down a server by taking advantage of the asymmetry performance required by the TLS protocol.

Single Packet Authorization (SPA) overcomes many existing attacks and, combined with the enhancements of MTLS with pinned certificates, creates a robust security model addition; SPA defeats many a DDoS attack as only a limited amount of server performance is required to operate.

SPA provides the following security benefits to the SPA-protected asset:

    • SPA blackens the gateway and protects assets that sit behind the gateway. The gateway does not respond to connection attempts until it provides an authentic SPA. Essentially, all network resources are dark until security controls are passed.
    • SPA also mitigates DDoS attacks on TLS. TLS is likely publicly reachable online, and running the HTTPS protocol is highly susceptible to DDoS. SPA mitigates these attacks by allowing the SDP gateway to discard the TLS DoS attempt before entering the TLS handshake. As a result, there will be no exhaustion from targeting the TLS port.
    • SPA assists with attack detection. The first packet to an SDP gateway must be a SPA packet. If a gateway receives any other type of packet, it should be viewed and treated as an attack. Therefore, the SPA enables the SDP to identify an attack based on a malicious packet.

Summary: Single Packet Authorization

In this blog post, we explored the concept of SPA, its key features, benefits, and potential impact on enhancing network security.

Understanding Single Packet Authorization

At its core, SPA is a security technique that adds an additional layer of protection to network systems. Unlike traditional methods that rely on usernames and passwords, SPA utilizes a single packet sent to the server to grant access. This packet contains encrypted data and specific authorization codes, ensuring that only authorized users can gain entry.

The Key Features of SPA

One of the standout features of SPA is its simplicity. Using a single packet simplifies the process and minimizes the potential attack surface. SPA also offers enhanced security through its encryption and strict authorization codes, making it difficult for unauthorized individuals to gain access. Furthermore, SPA is highly customizable, allowing organizations to tailor the authorization process to their needs.

Benefits of Single Packet Authorization

Implementing SPA brings several notable benefits to the table. Firstly, SPA effectively mitigates the risk of brute-force attacks by eliminating the need for traditional login credentials. Additionally, SPA enhances security without sacrificing usability, as users only need to send a single packet to gain access. This streamlined approach saves time and reduces the likelihood of human error. Lastly, SPA provides detailed audit logs, allowing organizations to monitor and track authorized access more effectively.

Potential Impact on Network Security

The adoption of SPA has the potential to revolutionize network security. By leveraging this technique, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and other cybersecurity threats. SPA’s unique approach challenges traditional authentication methods and offers a more robust and efficient alternative.

Conclusion:

Single Packet Authorization (SPA) is a powerful security technique with immense potential to bolster network security. With its simplicity, enhanced protection, and numerous benefits, SPA offers a promising solution for organizations seeking to safeguard their digital assets. By embracing SPA, they can take a proactive stance against cyber threats and build a more secure digital landscape.

Cyber security threat. Young woman using computer and coding. Internet and network security. Stealing private information. Person using technology to steal password and private data. Cyber attack crime

SDP Network

by Blog

SDP Network

The world of networking has undergone a significant transformation with the advent of Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) networks. These innovative networks have revolutionized connectivity by providing enhanced security, flexibility, and scalability. In this blog post, we will explore the key features and benefits of SDP networks, their impact on traditional networking models, and the future potential they hold.

SDP networks, also known as "Black Clouds," are a paradigm shift in how we approach network security. Unlike traditional networks that rely on perimeter-based security, SDP networks adopt a "Zero Trust" model. This means that every user and device is treated as untrusted until verified, reducing the attack surface and enhancing security.


Another benefit of SDP networks is their flexibility. These networks are not tied to physical locations, allowing users to securely connect from anywhere in the world. This is especially beneficial for remote workers, as it enables them to access critical resources without compromising security.

SDP networks challenge the traditional hub-and-spoke networking model by introducing a decentralized approach. Instead of relying on a central point of entry, SDP networks establish direct connections between users and resources. This reduces latency, improves performance, and enhances the overall user experience.

As technology continues to evolve, the future of SDP networks looks promising. The rise of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and the increasing reliance on cloud-based services necessitate a more secure and scalable networking solution. SDP networks offer precisely that, with their ability to adapt to changing network demands and provide robust security measures.

SDP networks have emerged as a game-changer in the world of connectivity. By focusing on security, flexibility, and scalability, they address the limitations of traditional networking models. As organizations strive to protect their valuable data and adapt to evolving technological landscapes, SDP networks offer a reliable and future-proof solution.

Matt Conran

Highlights: SDP Network

**The Core Principles of SDP Networks**

At the heart of an SDP network are three core principles: identity-based access, dynamic provisioning, and the principle of least privilege. Identity-based access ensures that only authenticated users can access the network, a significant shift from traditional models that rely on IP addresses. Dynamic provisioning allows the network to adapt in real-time, creating secure connections only when necessary, thus reducing the attack surface. Lastly, the principle of least privilege ensures that users receive only the access necessary to perform their tasks, minimizing potential security risks.

**How SDP Networks Work**

SDP networks function by utilizing a multi-stage process to verify user identity and device health before granting access. The process begins with an initial trust assessment where users are authenticated through a secure channel. Once authenticated, the user’s device undergoes a health check to ensure it meets security requirements. Following this, access is granted on a need-to-know basis, with micro-segmentation techniques used to isolate resources and prevent lateral movement within the network. This layered approach significantly enhances network security by ensuring that only verified users gain access to the resources they need.

Black Clouds – SDP

SDP networks, also known as ” Black Clouds,” represent a paradigm shift in network security. Unlike traditional perimeter-based security models, SDP networks focus on dynamically creating individualized perimeters around each user, device, or application. By adopting a Zero-Trust approach, SDP networks ensure that only authorized entities can access resources, reducing the attack surface and enhancing overall security.

SDP networks are a paradigm shift in network security. Unlike traditional perimeter-based approaches, SDP networks adopt a zero-trust model, where every user and device must be authenticated and authorized before accessing resources. This eliminates the vulnerabilities of a static perimeter and ensures secure access from anywhere.

Benefits of Software-Defined Perimeter:

1. Enhanced Security: SDP provides an additional layer of security by ensuring that only authenticated and authorized users can access the network. By implementing granular access controls, SDP reduces the attack surface and minimizes the risk of unauthorized access, making it significantly harder for cybercriminals to breach the system.

2. Improved Flexibility: Traditional network architectures often struggle to accommodate the increasing number of devices and the demand for remote access. SDP enables businesses to scale their network infrastructure effortlessly, allowing seamless connectivity for employees, partners, and customers, regardless of location. This flexibility is precious in today’s remote work environment.

3. Simplified Network Management: SDP simplifies network management by centralizing access control policies. This centralized approach reduces complexity and streamlines granting and revoking access privileges. Additionally, SDP eliminates the need for VPNs and complex firewall rules, making network management more efficient and cost-effective.

4. Mitigated DDoS Attacks: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks can cripple an organization’s network infrastructure, leading to significant downtime and financial losses. SDP mitigates the impact of DDoS attacks by dynamically rerouting traffic and preventing the attack from overwhelming the network. This proactive defense mechanism ensures that network resources remain available and accessible to legitimate users.

5. Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: Many industries are bound by strict regulatory requirements, such as healthcare (HIPAA) or finance (PCI-DSS). SDP helps organizations meet these requirements by providing a secure framework that ensures data privacy and protection. Implementing SDP can significantly simplify the compliance process and reduce the risk of non-compliance penalties.

Example: Understanding Port Knocking

Port knocking is a technique in which a sequence of connection attempts is made to specific ports on a remote system. In a predetermined order, these attempts serve as a secret “knock” that triggers the opening of a closed port. Port knocking acts as a virtual doorbell, allowing authorized users to access a system that would otherwise remain invisible and protected from potential threats.

The Process: Port Knocking

To delve deeper, let’s explore how port knocking works. When a connection attempt is made to a closed port, the firewall silently drops it, leaving no trace of the effort. However, when the correct sequence of connection attempts is made, the firewall recognizes the pattern and dynamically opens the desired port, granting access to the authorized user. This sequence can consist of connections to multiple ports, further enhancing the system’s security.

**Understand your flows**

Network flows are time-bound communications between two systems. A single flow can be directly mapped to an entire conversation using a bidirectional transport protocol, such as TCP. However, a single flow for unidirectional transport protocols (e.g., UDP) might capture only half of a network conversation. Without a deep understanding of the application data, an observer on the network may not associate two UDP flows logically.

A system must capture all flow activity in an existing production network to move to a zero-trust model. The new security model should consider logging flows in a network over a long period to discover what network connections exist. Moving to a zero-trust model without this up-front information gathering will lead to frequent network communication issues, making the project appear invasive and disruptive.

Example: VPC Flow Logs

### What are VPC Flow Logs?

VPC Flow Logs are a feature in Google Cloud that captures information about the IP traffic going to and from network interfaces in your VPC. These logs offer detailed insights into network activity, helping you to identify potential security risks, troubleshoot network issues, and analyze the impact of network traffic on your applications.

### How VPC Flow Logs Work

When you enable VPC Flow Logs, Google Cloud begins collecting data about each network flow, including source and destination IP addresses, protocols, ports, and byte counts. This data is then stored in Google Cloud Storage, BigQuery, or Pub/Sub, depending on your configuration. You can use this data for real-time monitoring or historical analysis, providing a comprehensive view of your network’s behavior.

### Benefits of Using VPC Flow Logs

1. **Enhanced Security**: By monitoring network traffic, VPC Flow Logs help you detect suspicious activity and potential security threats, enabling you to take proactive measures to protect your infrastructure.

2. **Troubleshooting and Performance Optimization**: With detailed traffic data, you can easily identify bottlenecks or misconfigurations in your network, allowing you to optimize performance and ensure seamless operations.

3. **Cost Management**: Understanding your network traffic patterns can help you manage and predict costs associated with data transfer, ensuring you stay within budget.

4. **Compliance and Auditing**: VPC Flow Logs provide a valuable record of network activity, assisting in compliance with industry regulations and internal auditing requirements.

### Getting Started with VPC Flow Logs on Google Cloud

To start using VPC Flow Logs, you’ll need to enable them in your Google Cloud project. This process involves configuring the logging settings for your VPC, selecting the desired storage destination for the logs, and setting any filters to narrow down the data collected. Google Cloud provides detailed documentation to guide you through each step, ensuring a smooth setup process.

**Creating a software-defined perimeter**

With a software-defined perimeter (SDP) architecture, networks are logically air-gapped, dynamically provisioned, on-demand, and isolated from unprotected networks. An SDP system enhances security by requiring authentication and authorization before users or devices can access assets concealed by the SDP system. Additionally, by mandating connection pre-vetting, SDP will restrict all connections into the trusted zone based on who may connect, from those devices to what services, infrastructure, and other factors.

Zero Trust – Google Cloud Data Centers

**The Essence of Zero Trust Network Design**

Before delving into VPC Service Controls, it’s essential to grasp the concept of zero trust network design. Unlike traditional security models that rely heavily on perimeter defenses, zero trust operates on the principle that threats can exist both outside and inside your network. This model requires strict verification for every device, user, and application attempting to access resources. By adopting a zero trust approach, organizations can minimize the risk of security breaches and ensure that sensitive data remains protected.

**How VPC Service Controls Enhance Security**

VPC Service Controls are a critical component of Google Cloud’s security offerings, designed to bolster the protection of your cloud resources. They enable enterprises to define a security perimeter around their services, preventing data exfiltration and unauthorized access. With VPC Service Controls, you can:

– Create service perimeters to restrict access to specific Google Cloud services.

– Define access levels based on IP addresses and device attributes.

– Implement policies that prevent data from being transferred to unauthorized networks.

These controls provide an additional layer of security, ensuring that your cloud infrastructure adheres to the zero trust principles.

VPC Security Controls

 

Creating a Zero Trust Environment

Software-defined perimeter is a security framework that shifts the focus from traditional perimeter-based network security to a more dynamic and user-centric approach. Instead of relying on a fixed network boundary, SDP creates a “Zero Trust” environment, where users and devices are authenticated and authorized individually before accessing network resources. This approach ensures that only trusted entities gain access to sensitive data, regardless of their location or network connection.

Implementing SDP Networks:

Implementing SDP networks requires careful planning and execution. The first step is to assess the existing network infrastructure and identify critical assets and access requirements. Next, organizations must select a suitable SDP solution and integrate it into their network architecture. This involves deploying SDP controllers, gateways, and agents and configuring policies to enforce access control. It is crucial to involve all stakeholders and conduct thorough testing to ensure a seamless deployment.

Zero trust framework:

The zero-trust framework for networking and security is here for a good reason. There are various bad actors, ranging from opportunistic and targeted to state-level, and all are well prepared to find ways to penetrate a hybrid network. As a result, there is now a compelling reason to implement the zero-trust model for networking and security.

SDP network brings SDP security, also known as software defined perimeter, which is heavily promoted as a replacement for the virtual private network (VPN) and, in some cases, firewalls for ease of use and end-user experience.

Dynamic tunnel of 1:

It also provides a solid SDP security framework utilizing a dynamic tunnel of 1 per app per user. This offers security at the segmentation of a micro level, providing a secure enclave for entities requesting network resources. These are micro-perimeters and zero-trust networks that can be hardened with technology such as SSL security and single packet authorization.

For pre-information, you may find the following useful:

  1. Remote Browser Isolation
  2. Zero Trust Network

SDP Network

A software-defined perimeter is a security approach that controls resource access and forms a virtual boundary around networked resources. Think of an SDP network as a 1-to-1 mapping, unlike a VLAN, which can have many hosts within, all of which could be of different security levels.

Also, with an SDP network, we create a security perimeter via software versus hardware; an SDP can hide an organization’s infrastructure from outsiders, regardless of location. Now, we have a security architecture that is location-agnostic. As a result, employing SDP architectures will decrease the attack surface and mitigate internal and external network bad actors. The SDP framework is based on the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Information Systems Agency’s (DISA) need-to-know model from 2007.

Feature 1: Dynamic Access Control

One of the primary features of SDP is its ability to dynamically control access to network resources. Unlike traditional perimeter-based security models, which grant access based on static rules or IP addresses, SDP employs a more granular approach. It leverages context-awareness and user identity to dynamically allocate access rights, ensuring only authorized users can access specific resources. This feature eliminates the risk of unauthorized access, making SDP an ideal solution for securing sensitive data and critical infrastructure.

Feature 2: Zero Trust Architecture

SDP embraces zero-trust, a security paradigm that assumes no user or device can be trusted by default, regardless of their location within the network. With SDP, every request to access network resources is subject to authentication and authorization, regardless of whether the user is inside or outside the corporate network. By adopting a zero-trust architecture, SDP eliminates the concept of a network perimeter and provides a more robust defense against internal and external threats.

Feature 3: Application Layer Protection

Traditional security solutions often focus on securing the network perimeter, leaving application layers vulnerable to targeted attacks. SDP addresses this limitation by incorporating application layer protection as a core feature. By creating micro-segmented access controls at the application level, SDP ensures that only authenticated and authorized users can interact with specific applications or services. This approach significantly reduces the attack surface and enhances the overall security posture.

Example Technology: Web Security Scanner

**How Web Security Scanners Work**

Web security scanners function by crawling through web applications and testing for known vulnerabilities. They analyze various components, such as forms, cookies, and headers, to identify potential security flaws. By simulating attacks, these scanners provide insights into how a malicious actor might exploit your web application. This information is crucial for developers to patch vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, thus fortifying your web defenses.

security web scanner

Feature 4: Scalability and Flexibility

SDP offers scalability and flexibility to accommodate the dynamic nature of modern business environments. Whether an organization needs to provide secure access to a handful of users or thousands of employees, SDP can scale accordingly. Additionally, SDP seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure, allowing businesses to leverage their current investments without needing a complete overhaul. This adaptability makes SDP a cost-effective solution with a low barrier to entry.

**SDP Security**

Authentication and Authorization

So, how can one authenticate and authorize themselves when creating an SDP network and SDP security?

First, trust is the main element within an SDP network. Therefore, mechanisms that can associate themselves with authentication and authorization to trust at a device, user, or application level are necessary for zero-trust environments.

When something presents itself to a zero-trust network, it must go through several SDP security stages before access is granted. The entire network is dark, meaning that resources drop all incoming traffic by default, providing an extremely secure posture. Based on this simple premise, a more secure, robust, and dynamic network of geographically dispersed services and clients can be created.

Example: Authentication with Vault

### Understanding Authentication Methods

Vault offers a variety of authentication methods, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into diverse environments. These methods determine how users and applications prove their identity to Vault before gaining access to secrets. Some of the most common methods include:

– **Token Authentication**: The simplest form of authentication, where tokens are used as a bearer of identity. Tokens can be created with specific policies that define what actions can be performed.

– **AppRole Authentication**: This method is designed for applications and automated processes. It uses a role-based approach to issue secrets, providing enhanced security through role IDs and secret IDs.

– **LDAP Authentication**: Ideal for organizations already using LDAP directories, this method allows users to authenticate using their existing LDAP credentials, streamlining the authentication process.

– **OIDC and OAuth2**: These methods support single sign-on (SSO) capabilities, integrating with identity providers to authenticate users based on their existing identities.

Understanding these methods is crucial for configuring Vault in a way that best suits your organization’s security needs.

### Implementing Secure Access Control

Once you’ve chosen the appropriate authentication method, the next step is to implement secure access control. Vault uses policies to define what authenticated users and applications can do. These policies are written in a domain-specific language (DSL) and can be as fine-grained as required. For instance, you might create a policy that allows a specific application to read certain secrets but not modify them.

By leveraging Vault’s policy framework, organizations can ensure that only authorized entities have access to sensitive data, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

### Automating Secrets Management

One of Vault’s standout features is its ability to automate secrets management. Traditional secrets management involves manually rotating keys and credentials, a process that’s not only labor-intensive but also prone to human error. Vault automates this process, dynamically generating and rotating secrets as needed. This automation not only enhances security but also frees up valuable time for IT teams to focus on other critical tasks.

For example, Vault can dynamically generate database credentials for applications, ensuring that they always have access to valid and secure credentials without manual intervention.

Vault

  • A key point: The difference between Authentication and Authorization.

Before we go any further, it’s essential to understand the difference between authentication and authorization. In the zero-trust world, upon examining an end host, a device, and a user from an agent. Device and user authentication are carried out first before agent formation. The user will authenticate the device first and then against the agent. Authentication confirms your identity, while authorization grants access to the system.

**The consensus among SDP network vendors**

Generally, with most zero-trust and SDP VPN network vendors, the agent is only formed once valid device and user authentication has been carried out. The authentication methods used to validate the device and user can be separate. A device that needs to identify itself to the network can be authenticated with X.509 certificates.

A user can be authenticated by other means, such as a setting from an LDAP server if the zero-trust solution has that as an integration point. The authentication methods between the device and users don’t have to be tightly coupled, providing flexibility.

SDP Security with SDP Network: X.509 certificates

IP addresses are used for connectivity, not authentication, and don’t have any fields to implement authentication. The authentication must be handled higher up the stack. So, we need to use something else to define identity, and that would be the use of certificates. X.509 certificates are a digital certificate standard that allows identity to be verified through a chain of trust and is commonly used to secure device authentication. X.509 certificates can carry a wealth of information within the standard fields that can fulfill the requirements to carry particular metadata.

To provide identity and bootstrap encrypted communications, X.509 certificates use two cryptographic keys, mathematically related pairs consisting of public and private keys. The most common are RSA (Rivest–Shamir–Adleman) key pairs.

The private key is secret and held by the certificate’s owner, and the public key, as the names suggest, is not secret and distributed. The public key can encrypt the data; the private key can decrypt it, and vice versa. If the correct private key is not held, it is impossible to decrypt encrypted data using the public key.

SDP Security with SDP Network: Private key storage

Before we discuss the public key, let’s examine how we secure the private key. Device authentication will fail if bad actors access the private key. Once the device presents a signed certificate, one way to secure the private key is to configure access rights. However, if a compromise occurs, we are left in the undesirable world of elevated access, exposing the unprotected key.

The best way to secure and store private device keys is to use crypto processors, such as a trusted platform module (TPM). A cryptoprocessor is essentially a chip embedded in the device.

The private keys are bound to the hardware without being exposed to the system’s operating system, which is far more vulnerable to compromise than the actual hardware. TPM binds the private software key to the hard, creating robust device authentication.

SDP Security with SDP Network: Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

How do we ensure that we have the correct public key? This is the role of the public key infrastructure (PKI). There are many types of PKI, with certificate authorities (CA) being the most popular. In cryptography, a certificate authority is an entity that issues digital certificates.

A certificate can be a pointless blank paper unless it is somehow trusted. This is done by digitally signing the certificate to endorse the validity. It is the responsibility of the certificate authorities to ensure all details of the certificate are correct before signing it. PKI is a framework that defines a set of roles and responsibilities used to distribute and validate public keys securely in an untrusted network.

For this, a PKI leverages a registration authority (RA). You may wonder what the difference between an RA and a CA is. The RA interacts with the subscribers to provide CA services. The CA subsumes the RA, which is responsible for all RA actions.

The registration authority accepts requests for digital certificates and authenticates the entity making the request. This binds the identity to the public key embedded in the certificate, cryptographically signed by the trusted 3rd party.

Not all certificate authorities are secure!

However, not all certificate authorities are bulletproof against attack. Back in 2011, DigiNotar was at the mercy of a security breach. The bad actor took complete control of all eight certificate-issuing servers, and they issued rogue certificates that had not yet been identified. It is estimated that over 300,000 users had their private data exposed by rogue certificates.

Browsers immediately blacklist DigiNotar’s certificates, but it does highlight the issues of using a 3rd party. While Public Key Infrastructure is used at large on the public internet backing X.509 certificates, it’s not recommended for zero trust SDP. At the end of the day, when you think about it, you are still using 3rd party for a pretty important task. It would be best if you were looking to implement a private PKI system for a zero-trust approach to networking and security.

If you are not looking for a fully automated process, you could implement a temporary one-time password (TOTP). This allows for human control over the signing of the certificates. Remember that much trust must be placed in whoever is responsible for this step.

SDP Closing Points:

– As businesses continue to face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, the importance of implementing robust network security measures cannot be overstated. Software Defined Perimeter offers a comprehensive solution that addresses the limitations of traditional network architectures.

– By adopting SDP, organizations can enhance their security posture, improve network flexibility, simplify management, mitigate DDoS attacks, and meet regulatory requirements. Embracing this innovative approach to network security can safeguard sensitive data and provide peace of mind in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

– Organizations must adopt innovative security solutions to protect their valuable assets as cyber threats evolve. Software-defined perimeter offers a dynamic and user-centric approach to network security, providing enhanced protection against unauthorized access and data breaches.

– With enhanced security, granular access control, simplified network architecture, scalability, and regulatory compliance, SDP is gaining traction as a trusted security framework in today’s complex cybersecurity landscape. Embracing SDP can help organizations stay one step ahead of the ever-evolving threat landscape and safeguard their critical data and resources.

Example Technology: SSL Policies

**What Are SSL Policies?**

SSL policies are configurations that determine the security settings for SSL/TLS connections between clients and servers. These policies ensure that data is encrypted during transmission, protecting it from unauthorized access. On Google Cloud, SSL policies allow you to specify which SSL/TLS protocols and cipher suites can be used for your services. This flexibility enables you to balance security and performance based on your specific requirements.

 

SSL Policies

Closing Points on SDP Network

At its core, SDP operates on a zero-trust model, where network access is granted based on user identity and device verification rather than mere IP addresses. This ensures that each connection is authenticated before any access is granted. The process begins with a secure handshake between the user’s device and the SDP controller, which verifies the user’s identity against a predefined set of policies. Once authenticated, the user is granted access to specific network resources based solely on their role, ensuring a minimal access approach. This not only enhances security but also simplifies network management.

The adoption of SDP brings numerous benefits. Firstly, it significantly reduces the attack surface by making network resources invisible to unauthorized users. This means that potential attackers cannot even see the resources, let alone access them. Secondly, SDP provides a seamless and secure experience for users, as it adapts to their needs without compromising security. Additionally, SDP is highly scalable and can be easily integrated with existing security frameworks, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes.

While the advantages of SDP are compelling, there are challenges to consider. Implementing SDP requires an initial investment in terms of time and resources to set up the infrastructure and train personnel. Organizations must also ensure that their identity and access management (IAM) systems are robust and capable of supporting SDP’s zero-trust model. Furthermore, as with any technology, staying updated with the latest developments and threats is crucial to maintaining a secure environment.

Summary: SDP Network

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) Network concept has emerged as a game-changer. This blog post aimed to delve into the intricacies of the SDP Network, its benefits, implementation, and the potential it holds for securing modern networks.

What is the SDP Network?

SDP Network, also known as a “Black Cloud,” is a revolutionary approach to network security. It creates a dynamic and invisible perimeter around the network, allowing only authorized users and devices to access critical resources. Unlike traditional security measures, the SDP Network offers granular control, enhanced visibility, and adaptive protection.

Key Components of SDP Network

To understand the functioning of the SDP Network, it’s crucial to comprehend its key components. These include:

1. Client Devices: The devices authorized users use to connect to the network.

2. SDP Controller: The central authority managing and enforcing security policies.

3. Zero Trust Architecture: This is the foundation of the SDP Network, which assumes that no user or device can be trusted by default.

4. Identity and Access Management: This system governs user authentication and authorization, ensuring only authorized individuals gain network access.

Implementing SDP Network

Implementing an SDP Network requires careful planning and execution. The process involves several steps, including:

1. Network Assessment: Evaluating the network infrastructure and identifying potential vulnerabilities.

2. Policy Definition: Establishing comprehensive security policies that dictate user access privileges, device authentication, and resource protection.

3. SDP Deployment: Implementing the SDP solution across the network infrastructure and seamlessly integrating it with existing security measures.

4. Continuous Monitoring: Regularly monitoring and analyzing network traffic, promptly identifying and mitigating potential threats.

Benefits of SDP Network

SDP Network offers a plethora of benefits when it comes to network security. Some notable advantages include:

1. Enhanced Security: The SDP Network adopts a zero-trust approach, significantly reducing the attack surface and minimizing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

2. Improved Visibility: SDP Network provides real-time visibility into network traffic, allowing security teams to identify suspicious activities and respond proactively and quickly.

3. Simplified Management: With centralized control and policy enforcement, managing network security becomes more streamlined and efficient.

4. Scalability: SDP Network can quickly adapt to the evolving needs of modern networks, making it an ideal solution for organizations of all sizes.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the SDP Network has emerged as a transformative solution, revolutionizing network security practices. Its ability to create an invisible perimeter, enforce strict access controls, and enhance visibility offers unparalleled protection against modern threats. As organizations strive to safeguard their sensitive data and critical resources, embracing the SDP Network becomes a crucial step toward a more secure future.

browser isolation

Ericom Browser Isolation: Making surfing the internet safer

by Blog

 

Ericom Browser Isolation

 

Ericom Browser Isolation

Today, organizations cannot know when and where the next attack will surface and how much damage it will cause. The risk is compounded by the fact that castle-and-moat security no longer exists. Network perimeters are fluid, with no clear demarcation points between “outside” and dangerous, and safely “inside.” Calling the need for Ericom browser isolation with Ericom Shield. Suppose you are new to the capabilities of remote browser isolation and Ericom’s uses of containerization to perform isolation. In that case, you may want to visit the following: What is Remote Browser Isolation? and Docker Container Security.

 



Ericom Shield.

Key Ericom Remote Browser Isolation Discussion points:


  • Discussion on the issues with Internet security.

  • The need and role for browser isolation technologies.

  • Introducing Ericom RBI solution.

  • Types of attacks on the Internet.

  • A final note on looking forward.

 

Before you proceed, you may find the following helpful

  1. Open Networking
  2. CradlePoint Acquire Eircom
  3. New Variants of Malware

 

The Need For Ericom Shield: The Internet is Chaotic

The internet is chaotic and only getting worse. It was built with the twin ideals of providing a better user experience and easy connectivity. For instance, if you have someone’s IP address, you can communicate directly with them. IP has no built-in authentication mechanism: Authentication is handled higher up the stack. Bad actors take full advantage of the internet’s “trust model,” making attacks, not a matter of “if” but a concern of “when.” This norm is the devil’s bargain we have accepted in exchange for convenience and easy connectivity.

Today, with virtually nothing secure, we must strive for solutions by looking at the whole problem from a new angle. Previous solutions don’t provide enough protection from today’s highly evolved hackers. With this being said, it is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when keeping confidential files safe.

Fortunately, however, we have reached a significant evolution in security technology with the introduction of Ericom’s Zero-Trust Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) solution ( Ericom Shield ). Now, for the first time, we can say that browsing is more secure than ever. However, if you have unfortunately been hacked or contracted a virus and, as a result, your computer isn’t working. There are numerous computer repair companies out there that can help with just this sort of thing.

 

Cyberattacks: It’s all about the money

Or at least mainly, since politically-motivated attacks are on the rise. But let’s look at what might motivate a bad actor to hack into a private healthcare system. Once an attacker is in, he gets access to all members’ or patients’ financial, insurance, personal, and bank account information. Each record is valuable in the black market, much more than credit card details. You can’t undo your health history. Hence, bad actors can blackmail or pressure targets for monetary gain – which does not stop them from rolling the information on the dark web for additional profit.

 

Ericom Shield with Ericom Browser isolation 

Realistically, perfect, airtight security will always remain just beyond reach. When you are surfing the internet, there’s no way to be sure that the site you plan to visit is safe – you can’t trust any site. And white- and blacklisting can’t help: So many sites arise and disappear so quickly that there is no way to catalog them all in advance.

Attackers evolve and adapt their techniques at a rapid pace with which defenders cannot keep up. Discussion on the defense side gravitates toward “how quickly can we respond?”. This reactive posture is dangerous when dealing with, for example, malware that penetrates internal networks. First, there is a risk of not being able to establish barricades to keep malware out; the lateral spread of malware throughout the network compounds the threat. Even if you can eventually catch the malware, searching, cleaning, testing, and shutting resources down until they are clean involves crushingly high costs.

Therefore, to strengthen security postures and protect an organization’s valuable assets, there is a dire need for a new paradigm. And that new paradigm is zero trust + RBI. Zero trust is about ‘not trusting’ any process, network, user, or device and ensuring that every connection in the chain of events is authenticated. RBI, on the other hand, is about stopping all threats. RBI complements the zero-trust story by adding another brick in the wall and filling the internet gaps that zero trust leaves open.

 

Types of internet-based attacks

The internet browser is one of the primary attack vectors today, as many of the most aggressive hacking trends demonstrate. Existing solutions do not successfully protect against the constant influx of innovative threats that attack via web browsers.

  • Phishing

The average lifespan of a phishing site is around 6 hours. By the time you can hunt, identify and protect against many of these sites, their short lifespan is over. Phishing usually starts with an email that lures the user to click on a link. The link can be for a download or navigation to a site. Phishing sites automatically download malware through drive-bys or are spoofed sites designed to gather credentials.

  • Drive-by downloads

Drive-by downloads can happen on innocent sites that have been injected with malware with the intention of hacking users’ sessions and on dedicated phishing sites. The hackers attempt to penetrate sensitive data in the user’s organization by reverse-engineering the connection.

  • Malware

Recently, bad actors have raised malware to unprecedented sophistication and impact. Malware campaigns can now be automated without any human intervention. The devastating effect of Nyetya on more than 2000 Ukrainian companies is terrifying evidence.

Malware comes in a variety of forms and file types. File sanitization solutions are essential to protect against malware in files downloaded onto endpoints. However, they are powerless against malware that enables hackers to watch the keystrokes as people enter data in forms and gain access to credentials.

The Ericom Shield RBI solution safeguards against this by allowing suspicious sites (i.e., spoofed/phishing sites) to be opened in read-only mode, so users can’t type in sensitive data.

  • Crypto-jacking

When cryptocurrencies were in full bloom, bad actors were infecting computers with crypto-mining software and harvesting computing power to mine currencies for themselves. These miners would run 24/7, resulting in high electricity bills and lower capacity for legitimate processing. There are many scammers out there looking to take advantage of new investors in bitcoins and other types of cryptocurrencies, just as many different types of crypto software might target these new investors. Luckily, there are bitcoin profit scam reviews that might be able to let investors know if the software they are interested in is a scam or legit.

However, with RBI, crypto-jacking doesn’t work because browser tabs are destroyed quickly after user interactions cease. Crypto-miners can’t persist on your computer as the containers are only active as long as users are active in the browser tab. This is another remarkable win for RBI.

  • Cross-site scripting

Cross-site scripting attacks occur when users browse different sites by adding tabs while using the same browser. When users enter their credentials on one site, an infected site in another tab can pick them up. Chrome and other browsers address this issue by isolating tabs from each other. However, the entire browser still sits on the end-user computer.

So, while this type of isolation protects information from tab to tab, it does not generally cover the end-users – or organization’s- information from malware attacks. Tab isolation is a step in the evolution of remote browser isolation but is only a partial solution since it merely provides isolation between sites browsed on the local endpoint. It is far from a complete solution to browser-borne threats.

 

Introduction to Ericom Browser Isolation with Ericom Shield

The concept of securing browsing through isolation is not new. Solutions have been on the market in one form or the other for quite some time. However, none of these solutions fully secure the end user’s browsing session from internet-borne threats. Browsing companies offer security features such as Adblockers and local tab isolation that can help, but only to a certain degree. Many purported secure browsing solutions are local isolation techniques that provide limited protection since they allow site content onto the endpoint, albeit in isolated segments, containers, or virtual machines.

 

Ericom Shield: Revolutionizing browser isolation

The incarnation of Ericom’s remote browser isolation technology occurred over three years ago with a “double browser” solution. This solution isolated the browser from the end-user device by allowing users to establish a remote session with an application that happened to be a remote browser. While other solutions in the marketplace talked about remote browser isolation, most are not remote from the endpoint — perhaps the most critical factor. Ericom has taken this to the next level of protection with the Ericom Shield Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) solution.

 

Currently, some available solutions isolate tabs from each other or isolate complete browsers within local machines. But these solutions do not isolate web content from the end-user device or the network it connects to. As a result, they are only halfway to protecting their users from browser-borne threats.

Local isolation solution concepts entail running a virtual machine (VM) on the endpoint device to create a safe zone within the computer. Other solutions create a compartment within the hard drive, hoping to provide good-enough isolation, but unfortunately, it does not. For an effective security posture, you want to ensure that threats stay as far from your internal network and end-user devices.

In reality, these solutions decrease the security posture, so there is a big push for remote browser isolation (RBI). Some solutions require users to install software or even hardware on their devices. This is old-fashioned thinking, labor/management intensive, and unfeasible for distributed organizations. Other solutions limit users to their proprietary browsers – a significant inconvenience for users.

Everyone knows that within every organization, there are a variety of devices. A solution that does not work with all different devices adds complexity, which is the number one enemy of security.

 

  • The power of genuinely remote isolation

With Ericom Browser Isolation in place, someone else handles the heavy lifting job to ensure security. Users enjoy an average browsing experience, although browsing doesn’t occur on the user’s endpoint device. The robust architecture reduces the possibility of attack via the end-point to an absolute minimum. The power of RBI is that it stops everything — known and unknown threats. Defenders can worry less about the latest as-yet-unknown attack vector. A practical solution isolates potential danger as far away from the end-user.

RBI is a holistic solution that does not identify something and only then stops it. Instead, it simply stops everything (while still allowing users to interact naturally with websites). Nothing on the internet touches the end-user device. Hence, the cat-and-mouse game of detection-based solutions, in which solution providers are always playing catch-up, no longer applies.

 

The future

Cyber threats will only continue to grow and become more destructive as cyber criminality escalates around the globe. Nowadays, with many widely available hacking services, such as phishing-as-a-service, it’s easy to become a hacker.

2017 was about ransomware, 2018 was about crypto-jacking, and now in 2019, it’s phishing. No one knows what is coming next, so we need a solution that doesn’t have to play catch-up like most solutions. Firewalling and anti-virus software block threats that already exist. They restrict attacks that have occurred in the past or resemble past episodes. Therefore, many threats arise de novo cannot be corked with legacy security systems. There is always a window where solutions must catch up, or it could be fatal for security.

Ericom Browser Isolation seamlessly adds another layer of security to existing solutions and complements them. This new layer stops everything that is not verified – which is to say, everything from the internet — which is why it’s an ideal fit for the zero-trust approach.

 

ericom shield

Removing State from Network Functions

by Blog

Removing State From Network Functions

In recent years, the networking industry has witnessed a significant shift towards stateless network functions. This revolutionary approach has transformed the way networks are designed, managed, and operated. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of removing state from network functions and delve into the benefits it brings to the table.

State in network functions refers to the information that needs to be stored and maintained for each connection or flow passing through the network. Traditionally, network functions such as firewalls, load balancers, and intrusion detection systems heavily relied on maintaining state. This stateful approach introduced complexities and limitations in terms of scalability, performance, and fault tolerance.

Stateless network functions, on the other hand, operate without the need for maintaining connection-specific information. Instead, they process packets or flows independently, solely based on the information present in each packet. This paradigm shift eliminates the burden of state management, enabling networks to scale more efficiently, achieve higher performance, and exhibit enhanced resiliency.

Enhanced Scalability: By removing state from network functions, networks become inherently more scalable. Stateless functions allow for easier distribution and parallel processing, empowering networks to handle increasing traffic demands without being limited by state management overhead.

Improved Performance: Stateless network functions offer improved performance compared to their stateful counterparts. Without the need to constantly maintain state information, these functions can process packets or flows more quickly, resulting in reduced latency and improved overall network performance.

Enhanced Fault Tolerance: Stateless network functions facilitate fault tolerance by enabling easy redundancy and failover mechanisms. Since there is no state to be replicated or synchronized, redundant instances can seamlessly take over in case of failures, ensuring uninterrupted network services.

The removal of state from network functions has revolutionized the networking landscape. Stateless network functions bring enhanced scalability, improved performance, and enhanced fault tolerance to networks, enabling them to meet the ever-increasing demands of modern applications and services. Embracing this paradigm shift paves the way for more agile, efficient, and resilient networks that can keep up with the rapid pace of digital transformation.

Matt Conran

Highlights: Removing State From Network Functions

**Understanding State in Network Functions**

To grasp the significance of stateless network functions, it’s essential to first understand what “state” means in this context. State refers to the stored information that a network function requires to operate effectively. This includes data about past interactions, user sessions, and configuration settings. While stateful functions can offer certain advantages, such as maintaining session continuity, they also introduce complexity and potential bottlenecks.

**The Benefits of Stateless Network Functions**

1. **Scalability**: Stateless network functions can easily scale horizontally. Without the need to store and manage state information, these functions can be replicated across multiple instances, distributing the load and improving performance.

2. **Resilience**: Stateless functions are inherently more resilient to failures. In a stateless architecture, if one instance fails, another can seamlessly take over without the risk of data loss or service interruption.

3. **Simplicity**: By removing the need to manage state, developers can focus on building simpler, more maintainable code. This reduction in complexity often leads to faster development cycles and easier debugging processes.

**Implementing Statelessness in Network Functions**

Transitioning to stateless network functions involves rethinking how data is handled. One approach is to offload state management to external storage systems or databases. By doing so, network functions can remain lightweight and focused solely on processing data. Additionally, modern technologies such as microservices and containerization can support the implementation of stateless architectures, allowing for more efficient resource utilization.

**Real-World Applications and Case Studies**

Many leading tech companies have successfully adopted stateless network functions to enhance their operations. For instance, cloud service providers have embraced stateless architectures to offer scalable and reliable services to their customers. These real-world applications demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of removing state from network functions, providing valuable insights for organizations considering a similar transition.

Understanding Stateful Network Functions

Stateful network functions have been the backbone of traditional networking architectures. These functions, such as firewalls, load balancers, and NAT (Network Address Translation), maintain complex state information about the connections passing through them. While they have served us well, stateful network functions have inherent limitations. They introduce latency, create single points of failure, and hinder scalability, especially in modern distributed systems.

Enter stateless network functions, a paradigm shift that aims to address the shortcomings of their stateful counterparts. Stateless network functions operate without maintaining connection-specific states, treating each packet independently. By decoupling the state from the functions, networks become more agile, scalable, and fault-tolerant. This approach aligns perfectly with the demands of cloud-native architectures, microservices, and modern software-defined networking (SDN) frameworks.

Considerations: Stateless Network Functions

Enhanced Scalability: One key benefit of removing the state from network functions is its improved scalability. By eliminating the need for state management and storage, network systems can handle significantly more concurrent connections. This enables seamless scaling to accommodate growing demands without compromising performance or stability.

Improved Flexibility and Interoperability: When the state is removed from network functions, it allows for greater flexibility and interoperability among different systems and platforms. Stateless network functions can be easily deployed across various environments, making integrating new technologies and adapting to evolving requirements easier. This promotes innovation and paves the way for developing advanced network solutions.

Enhanced Security: Stateless network functions also offer enhanced security benefits. With no state to maintain, the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access is significantly reduced. Stateless systems can operate in a zero-trust environment, where each transaction is treated independently and authentically. This approach minimizes the potential impact of security breaches and strengthens overall network resilience.

Simplified Management and Maintenance: Removing the state from network functions significantly reduces the complexity of managing and maintaining these systems. Stateless architectures require less administrative overhead, as there is no need to track and manage state information across different network nodes. This simplification leads to cost savings and allows network administrators to focus on other critical tasks.

The Role of Non-Proprietary Hardware

We have seen a significant technological evolution, where network functions can run in software on non-proprietary commodity hardware, whether in a grey box or white box deployment model. However, taking network functions from a physical appliance and putting them into a virtual appliance is only half the battle.

The move to software provides network security components’ on-demand elasticity and scale and quick recovery from failures. However, one major factor still hinders us—the state that each network function needs to process.

The Tights Coupling of State

We still face challenges created by the tight coupling of the state and processing for each network function, be it virtual firewalls, load balancer scaling, intrusion protection system (IPS), or even distributed firewalls closer to the workloads for dynamic workload scaling use cases. The state is tightly coupled with the network functions, limiting the network functions’ agility, scalability, and failure recovery.

Compounded by this, we have seen an increase in network complexity. The rise of the public cloud and the emergence of hybrid and multi-cloud has made data center connectivity more complicated and critical than ever.

For pre-information, you may find the following helpful:

  1. Event Stream Processing
  2. NFV Use Cases
  3. ICMPv6

Removing State From Network Functions

Virtualization

Virtualization (which generally indicates server virtualization when used as a standalone phrase) refers to the abstraction of the application and operating system from the hardware. Similarly, network virtualization is the abstraction of the network endpoints from the physical arrangement of the network. In other words, network virtualization permits you to group or arrange endpoints on a network independent from their physical location.

Network Virtualization refers to forming logical groupings of endpoints on a network. In this case, the endpoints are abstracted from their physical locations so that VMs (and other assets) can look, behave, and be managed as if they are all on the same physical segment of the network.

Importance of Network Functions:

Network functions are the backbone of modern communication systems, making them essential for businesses, organizations, and individuals. They provide the necessary infrastructure to connect devices, transmit data, and facilitate the exchange of information reliably and securely. Without network functions, our digital interactions, such as accessing websites, making online payments, or conducting video conferences, would be nearly impossible.

Types of Network Functions:

1. Routing: Routing functions enable forwarding data packets between different networks, ensuring that information reaches its intended destination. This process involves selecting the most efficient path for data transmission based on network congestion, bandwidth availability, and network topology.

2. Switching: Switching functions allow data packets to be forwarded within a local network, connecting devices within the same network segment. Switches efficiently direct packets to their intended destination, minimizing latency and optimizing network performance.

3. Firewalls: Firewalls act as barriers between internal and external networks, protecting against unauthorized access and potential security threats. They monitor incoming and outgoing traffic, filtering and blocking suspicious or malicious data packets.

4. Load Balancing: Load balancing distributes network traffic across multiple servers to prevent overloading and ensure optimal resource utilization. Load balancing enhances network performance, scalability, and reliability by evenly distributing workloads.

5. Network Address Translation (NAT): NAT allows multiple devices within a private network to share a single public IP address. It translates private IP addresses into public ones, enabling communication with external networks while maintaining the security and privacy of internal devices.

6. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): IDS monitors network traffic for any signs of intrusion or malicious activity. They analyze data packets, identify potential threats, and generate alerts or take preventive actions to safeguard the network from unauthorized access or attacks.

**What is State**

Before we delve into potential solutions to this problem, mainly by introducing stateless network functions, let us first describe the different types of states. We have two: dynamic and static. The network function processes continuously update the dynamic state, which could be anything from a firewall’s connection information to the load balancer’s server mappings.

On the other hand, the static state could include something like pre-configured firewall rules or the IPS signature database. The dynamic state must persist across instance failures and be available to the network functions when scaling in or out. On the other hand, the static state is accessible and can be replicated to a network instance upon boot time.

Example Stateful Technology: Cisco CBAC Stateful Firewall

**How CBAC Works: Stateful Inspection Explained**

At its core, CBAC functions as a stateful firewall, which means it monitors the state of active connections and makes decisions based on the context of the traffic. Unlike stateless firewalls that merely assess packet headers, CBAC inspects the entire traffic stream, understanding and remembering the state of connections. This enables it to effectively block unauthorized access while allowing legitimate traffic to flow smoothly. By maintaining a state table, CBAC can dynamically filter packets based on the context of the communication session, providing a more nuanced and effective security measure.

CBAC Firewall CBAC Firewall

**Stateless Network Functions**

Stateless Network Functions are a new and disruptive technology that decouples the design of network functions into a stateless process component and a data store layer. An orchestration layer that can monitor the network function instances for load and failure and adjust the number of cases accordingly is also needed.

Taking or decoupling the state from a network function enables a more elastic and resilient infrastructure. So how does this work? From a 20,000 bird’s eye view, the network functions become stateless. The statefulness of the application, such as a stateful firewall, is maintained by storing the state in a separate data store. The data store provides the resilience of the state. No state is stored on the individual networking functions themselves.

Datastore Example:

The data store can be, for example, RAMCloud. RAMCloud is a distributed key-value storage system with high-speed storage for large-scale applications. It is designed for many servers needing low-latency access to a durable data store. RAMCloud is suitable for low-latency access as it’s based primarily on DRAM.  RAMCloud keeps all data in DRAM. As a result, the network functions can read RAMCloud objects remotely over the network in as little as 5μs.

**Stateless network functions advantages**

Stateless network functions may not be helpful for all, but they are valid for standard network functions that can be redesigned statelessly. Stateful network functions are helpful for a stateful firewall, intrusion prevention system, network address translator, and load balancer. Removing the state and placing it in a database brings many advantages to network management.

As the state is accessed via a data store, a new instance can be launched, and traffic is immediately directed to it, offering elasticity. Secondly, resilience, a new instance, can be spawned instantaneously upon failure.  Finally, as any instance can handle an individual packet, packets traversing different paths do not have asymmetric and multi-path routing issues.

Problems with having state: Failure

The majority of network designs have redundancy built-in. It sounds easy when one data center fails to let the secondary take over. When the data center interconnect (DCI) is configured correctly, everything should work upon failover, correct?

Let’s not forget about one little thing called state with a firewall in each data center design. The network address translation (NAT) in the primary data center stores the mapping for two flows, let’s call them F1 and F2. Upon failure, the second firewall in the other data center takes over, and traffic is directed to the new firewall. However, any packets from flows F1 and F2 will not enter the second firewall.

This will result in a failed lookup; existing connections will timeout, causing application failure.  Asymmetric routing causes problems. If a firewall has an established state for a client-to-server connection (SYN packet), if the return SYN-ACK passes through a different firewall, the packet will result in a failed lookup and get dropped.

Some have tried to design distributed active-active firewalls to solve layer three issues and asymmetrical traffic flow over the stateful firewalls. The solution looks perfect. Configure both wide area network (WAN) routers to advertise the same IP prefix to the outside world.

This will attract inbound traffic and pass it through the nearest firewall—nice and easy. The active-active firewalls would exchange flow information, solving the asymmetrical flow problems. Distributed active-active firewall state across each data center is better in PowerPoint than in real life.

Problems with having the state: Scaling

The tight coupling of the state can also cause problems with the scaling of network functions. Scaling out NAT functions will have the same effect as NAT box failure. Packets from flow originating from a different firewall directed to a new instance will result in a failed lookup.

Network functions form the foundation of modern communication systems, enabling us to connect, share, and collaborate in a digitized world. Network functions ensure smooth and secure data flow across networks by performing vital tasks such as routing, switching, firewalls, load balancing, NAT, and IDS. Understanding the significance of these functions is crucial for businesses and individuals to harness the full potential of the interconnected world we live in today.

Example Technology: Browser Caching

Understanding Browser Caching

Browser caching is a mechanism that allows web browsers to store static resources, such as images, CSS files, and JavaScript, locally on a user’s device. When a user revisits a website, the browser can retrieve these cached resources instead of downloading them again from the server. This results in faster page load times and reduced server load.

Nginx, a popular open-source web server, provides a powerful module called ‘header’ that enables fine-grained control over HTTP response headers. With this module, you can easily configure browser caching directives to instruct clients on how long to cache specific resources. By leveraging the ‘expires’ and ‘Cache-Control’ headers, you can set expiration times for different file types, ensuring optimal caching behavior.

Summary: Removing State From Network Functions

In networking, the concept of state plays a crucial role in determining the behavior and functionality of network functions. However, a paradigm shift is underway as experts explore the potential of removing the state from network functions. In this blog post, we delved into the significance of this approach and how it is revolutionizing the networking landscape.

Understanding State in Network Functions

In the context of networking, state refers to the stored information that network devices maintain about ongoing communications. It includes connection status, session data, and routing information. Stateful network functions have traditionally been widely used, allowing for complex operations and enhanced control. However, they also come with certain limitations.

The Limitations of Stateful Network Functions

While stateful network functions have played a crucial role in shaping modern networks, they also introduce challenges. One notable limitation is the increased complexity and overhead introduced by state management. The need to store and update state information for each communication session can lead to scalability and performance issues, especially in large-scale networks. Additionally, stateful functions are more susceptible to failures and require synchronization mechanisms, making them less resilient.

The Emergence of Stateless Network Functions

The concept of stateless network functions provides a promising alternative to overcome the limitations of their stateful counterparts. In stateless functions, the processing of network packets is decoupled from maintaining any session-specific information. This approach simplifies the design and implementation of network functions, offering benefits such as improved scalability, reduced resource consumption, and enhanced fault tolerance.

Benefits and Use Cases

Removing state from network functions brings a multitude of benefits. Stateless functions allow easier load balancing and horizontal scaling, as they don’t rely on session affinity. They enable better resource utilization, as there is no need to maintain per-session state information. Stateless functions also enhance network resilience, as they are not dependent on maintaining a synchronized state across multiple instances.

Stateless network functions have diverse and expanding use cases. They are well-suited for cloud-native applications, microservices architectures, and distributed systems. Organizations can build more flexible and scalable networks by leveraging stateless functions, supporting dynamic workloads and rapidly evolving infrastructure requirements.

Conclusion:

Removing the state from network functions marks a significant shift in the networking landscape. Stateless functions offer improved scalability, reduced complexity, and enhanced fault tolerance. As the demand for agility and scalability grows, embracing stateless network functions becomes paramount. By harnessing this approach, organizations can build resilient, efficient, and future-ready networks.

network server room with computers for digital tv ip communications and internet

Stateless Network Functions

by Blog

Stateless Network Functions

In the ever-evolving world of networking, the concept of stateless network functions has emerged as a game-changer. This revolutionary approach to network architecture is transforming the way we design, deploy, and manage networks. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of stateless network functions and explore their profound impact on the networking landscape.

Stateless network functions (SNFs) are a paradigm shift from traditional network architectures. Unlike their stateful counterparts, SNFs do not store session-specific information, making them highly scalable and agile. These functions process packets independently, without relying on the state of previous packets, enabling faster processing and reduced latency.

Enhanced Scalability: By eliminating the need to maintain session state, SNFs can handle a significantly larger number of concurrent sessions. This scalability is crucial in modern network environments where the number of connected devices and data traffic is growing exponentially.

Flexibility and Modularity: Stateless network functions promote flexibility and modularity in network design. Each function can be developed, deployed, and updated independently, allowing network operators to adapt to changing requirements quickly. This modular approach also fosters innovation and encourages the development of specialized network functions.

Improved Fault Tolerance: With SNFs, network failures and disruptions can be contained more effectively. Since stateless functions do not rely on session-specific information, failures in one function do not impact the entire network. This fault-tolerant characteristic ensures more resilient and reliable network operations.

Software-Defined Networking (SDN): Stateless network functions play a pivotal role in SDN deployments. By decoupling control and data planes, SDN architectures can leverage the agility and scalability of SNFs. This enables efficient traffic management, dynamic resource allocation, and rapid network provisioning.

Network Function Virtualization (NFV): In the realm of NFV, stateless network functions are instrumental in achieving network virtualization and service chaining. By encapsulating network functions in virtualized environments, SNFs enable on-demand scaling, improved resource utilization, and simplified network management.

Stateless network functions are revolutionizing network architecture by offering enhanced scalability, flexibility, and fault tolerance. With their applicability in SDN, NFV, and beyond, SNFs are driving the transformation of the networking landscape. As we embrace this paradigm shift, we can expect more agile, scalable, and efficient networks that can meet the demands of the digital age.

Matt Conran

Highlights: Stateless Network Functions

**The Basics: What Does Stateless Mean?**

To grasp the significance of stateless network functions, it’s essential to understand what “stateless” entails. In a stateless system, each request from a client is treated independently, without relying on stored information from previous interactions. This approach contrasts with stateful systems, where previous interactions influence current actions. Statelessness enhances network efficiency by reducing dependencies, allowing for seamless scaling and improved fault tolerance.

**Benefits of Stateless Network Functions**

One of the primary advantages of stateless network functions is their scalability. Since each request is independent, adding more resources to handle increased load is straightforward. This flexibility is vital for networks experiencing unpredictable traffic patterns. Additionally, statelessness enhances fault tolerance. In the event of a failure, the system can easily reroute requests without worrying about lost state information, ensuring consistent service availability.

**Challenges in Implementing Stateless Network Functions**

While the benefits are clear, transitioning to stateless network functions presents challenges. One significant hurdle is the need for efficient data storage solutions to handle the information typically maintained by stateful systems. Developers must also address security concerns, as stateless systems can be more vulnerable to malicious attacks if not properly secured. Despite these challenges, the potential for improved performance makes the effort worthwhile.

Understanding Stateless Network Functions

Stateless network functions, also known as SNFs, represent a paradigm shift in network architecture. Unlike their traditional counterparts, which rely on maintaining and managing session states, SNFs operate independently, without knowledge of prior interactions. This statelessness increases scalability, flexibility, and simplicity in network design.

The adoption of stateless network functions brings forth an array of advantages. Firstly, SNFs reduce complexity and enhance overall system performance by eliminating the need for session state management. Additionally, the statelessness enables horizontal scalability, empowering networks to handle an ever-increasing number of requests without compromising efficiency. Moreover, SNFs facilitate faster network deployment, as their independence from the session state eliminates the need for complex configurations.

Use Cases and Applications:

A- Stateless network functions find applications across various domains. In cloud computing, SNFs enable efficient load balancing and dynamic resource allocation. They also prove invaluable in network security, as their statelessness mitigates the risk of session-based attacks. Furthermore, SNFs are leveraged in content delivery networks (CDNs) to optimize content routing and improve user experience.

B- While stateless network functions offer immense potential, specific challenges must be addressed. One such concern is the loss of session-related information, which might be crucial in particular scenarios. Additionally, transitioning from traditional architectures to stateless paradigms requires careful planning and potential modifications to existing infrastructure.

Benefits of Stateless Network Functions:

1. Enhanced Scalability: SNFs offer improved scalability by eliminating the need to store session state information. Network devices can handle more packets and perform better, making them ideal for large-scale deployments and high-traffic scenarios.

2. Simplified Network Management: Stateless network functions simplify network management by reducing the complexity associated with session state maintenance. This streamlined approach allows for more straightforward configuration, troubleshooting, and monitoring, improving operational efficiency.

3. Increased Flexibility: SNFs enable more flexible network architectures that can be easily deployed and scaled without session state limitations. This flexibility allows organizations to rapidly adapt their networks to changing demands and deploy new services.

4. Enhanced Security: Stateless processing enhances network security by reducing potential attack vectors. Since SNFs do not rely on session state information, they minimize the risk of session hijacking or data leakage, leading to more robust and secure networks.

Applications of Stateless Network Functions:

1. Load Balancing: Stateless network functions are well-suited for load-balancing applications. They enable efficient network traffic distribution across multiple servers or resources, ensuring optimal resource utilization and improved application performance.

2. Deep Packet Inspection: SNFs can be used for deep packet inspection (DPI), a technique that analyzes the content of network packets for security or application identification purposes. The stateless nature of SNFs allows for faster and more efficient DPI, enabling real-time threat detection and network optimization.

3. Network Function Virtualization (NFV): Stateless network functions are foundational to network function virtualization (NFV) architectures. By decoupling network functions from dedicated hardware, NFV leverages SNFs to achieve greater flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness in network deployments.

**Tight State and Processing**

New technology is needed, and it’s time to break the tight state and processing. This involves decoupling the existing network function design into a stateless processing component ( stateless network functions) and a data store layer. Doing this and breaking the tight coupling enables a more elastic and resilient network functions infrastructure.

Before you proceed, you may find the following posts helpful:

  1. SASE Solution
  2. Software-defined Perimeter
  3. Service Chaining
  4. ICMPv6

Stateless Network Functions

The Role of Networks

Let’s face it. Networks need to be both scalable and sophisticated. To be successful, you need to completely redesign the network functions, such as routing and firewall functions, along with the underlying platforms that manage and orchestrate these functions. However, to accomplish this, you need to create an entirely new architecture and adapt the existing technology to this new architecture.

If you look at technologies used for cloud storage, no one has ever used them for networks. Why is this? The reason is mainly down to performance requirements, such as throughput and latency in distributed systems.

One can understand that the industry will be very pushy with this type of disruptive technology, saying that it is just impossible. But we need to give the world something new. It deserves the ability to customize networks on-demand. It would help to have a logical place to start with a new architecture.

Stateless Network Functions: Changing the environment

Decentralized workloads, the decline of on-premise, and the increase in multi-cloud deployments have created one of the most extensive connectivity challenges for data centers. A key finding is that colocation providers, traditionally serving as space, power, and physical network connectivity resources, should not become the hub for all traffic as workloads decentralize.

The problem is these colocation providers have not focused on connectivity that requires multi-tenancy and routing, and they usually have physical cloud connects; this has introduced growing management and operational challenges, which will only increase in large-scale deployments.

Cloud Connect is where you need to connect multiple enterprises, where these enterprises need to connect to various cloud providers. All of these tenants need BGP routing, firewall functions, and NAT, but to do this on a larger scale with a solution that couples the state cannot scale and be reliable.

New technologies come in waves – some appear, and others disappear.

The market needs a new type of technology, a software-defined interconnect like the Internet exchange. This came to light in 2016 when Laurent Vanbever proposed a software-defined internet exchange based on OpenFlow ( what is OpenFlow ) known as SDX; software-defined internet exchange is an SDN solution originating from the combined efforts of Princeton and UC Berkeley. It aims to address IXP pain points by deploying additional SDN controllers and OpenFlow-enabled switches. It doesn’t try to replace the entire classical IXP architecture with something new; rather, it augments existing designs with a controller.

Software-defined interconnect (SDIX)

However, a software-defined interconnect (SDIX) is a new category of offering that allows colocation providers to manage their cloud connects via software and extend their connectivity control. It should cover the cloud connection and multiple data center interconnects. In the past, the colocation providers focused on space and power. However, in today’s world, they have new responsibilities. The responsibilities now extend to new types of connectivity for customers. Customers now have new requirements.

They must move their data from one colocation facility to another to avoid latency or backup purposes. For these cases, colocation providers need a new type of platform to direct all of their different tenant’s tasks and requirements to a software-based platform.

The Tight Coupling

Why is this different? The underlying technology concerns network functions such as firewalls, routers, and load balancers; regardless of the application architecture and requirements, these network functions are physical boxes. The challenge is that traffic that flows through these boxes is tightly coupled with the box.

The physical box, virtual machine, or container performing a network function is coupled with the state. What happens with the state when you launch a new network function or redirect the traffic to a backup device? This will affect the application. This might be acceptable for a single application but not for a large-scale deployment when you have millions of connections and applications running on top of network functions.

Network Function Virtualizaton

Network function virtualization (NFV) and NFV use cases didn’t help here. All it did was change the physical boxes to virtual ones. It’s like changing a physical appliance in Dublin to a cloud-based provider. Is this the future? NFV inherits the same design and features as the physical box. But what needs to be done is realizing that the problem is the state. You need to decouple the dynamic state from each network function and put them in a high-performance data store within a cluster of commodity hardware and switches—a hardware-agnostic solution with code that is not open source.

Network function stateless

Then, you can make the network function stateless, so it’s physically just a thread. It doesn’t affect application performance if it fails, as the state is collected from the data store. This is needed as an underlying design, but does it seem possible? There will be overheads from decoupling the state.

The state can be put into a cluster of servers. Some servers maintain some of the state, and some of the other servers can be the network functions. The state is not physically in another data center or location. Every type of dynamic state, such as counters, timers, and handshaking that you see in the TCP flow, all of which is state, is a challenge to decouple without breaking application performance. However, this can be done by adapting technology-distributed systems—a database to store the state needed that is designed for high-performance computing. A read for a state should be around 5 microseconds.  

An algorithm is needed to read and write the state in a way that reads multiple packets simultaneously. This enables you to overcome any latency issues and achieve better performance than traditional appliances that have the state coupled.

Stateless network functions are revolutionizing networking infrastructure by offering enhanced scalability, simplified management, increased flexibility, and improved security. SNFs are paving the way for more agile and efficient networks with their wide range of applications. As organizations embrace digital transformation, understanding and harnessing the potential of stateless network functions will be vital to building resilient and future-proof network architectures.

Summary: Stateless Network Functions

Stateless network functions (SNFs) have emerged as a groundbreaking approach to network architecture. Unlike traditional network functions, SNFs do not rely on maintaining a session state, allowing for greater scalability, flexibility, and efficiency.

Benefits of Stateless Network Functions

SNFs offer several advantages, making them a compelling choice for modern network infrastructures. Firstly, their stateless nature enables horizontal scaling, allowing networks to handle increasing traffic demands without sacrificing performance. Additionally, SNFs simplify network management by eliminating the need for complex state synchronization mechanisms.

Use Cases and Applications

The versatility of stateless network functions opens up a wide range of use cases across various industries. From load balancing and firewalling to content delivery networks and edge computing, SNFs provide a flexible and adaptable solution for network operators.

Challenges and Considerations

Although stateless network functions bring numerous benefits, they are not without challenges. Ensuring security and maintaining data integrity can be more complex in stateless architectures. Additionally, specific applications heavily relying on session state may not be suitable for SNFs.

Future Trends and Innovations

As technology evolves, so does the potential for stateless network functions. Innovations such as programmable data planes and advanced traffic steering algorithms promise to enhance the capabilities of SNFs further, enabling more efficient and intelligent network architectures.

Conclusion:

Stateless network functions represent a paradigm shift in network architecture, offering scalability, flexibility, and simplified management. While they may not fit every use case, their potential for innovation and future development is undeniable. As networks continue to evolve and demand for performance grows, embracing stateless network functions can pave the way for a more efficient and agile network infrastructure.

Technician working in network card labaratory

What is Remote Browser Isolation

by Blog

What is Remote Browser Isolation

In today's digital landscape, remote browser isolation has emerged as a powerful solution for enhancing cybersecurity and protecting sensitive data. This innovative technology isolates web browsing activities from the local device, creating a secure environment that shields users from potential threats. In this blog post, we will dive into the world of remote browser isolation, exploring its benefits, implementation, and future prospects.

Remote browser isolation, also known as web isolation or browser isolation, is a security approach that separates web browsing activities from the user's device. By executing web sessions in a remote environment, remote browser isolation prevents potentially malicious code or content from infiltrating the user's system. It acts as a barrier between the user and the internet, ensuring a safe and secure browsing experience.

Enhanced Security: One of the primary advantages of remote browser isolation is its ability to mitigate web-based threats. By isolating web content and executing it in a separate environment, any malicious code or malware is contained and unable to affect the user's device. This significantly reduces the risk of cyberattacks such as phishing, drive-by downloads, and zero-day exploits.
Protection Against Zero-Day Vulnerabilities: Zero-day vulnerabilities are software vulnerabilities that are unknown to the vendor and, therefore, unpatched. Remote browser isolation provides a powerful defense against such vulnerabilities by executing web sessions in an isolated environment. Even if a website contains a zero-day exploit, it poses no threat to the user's device as the execution occurs remotely.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Security: With the rise of remote work and the increasing use of personal devices for business purposes, remote browser isolation offers a robust security solution. It allows employees to access corporate resources and browse the internet securely, without the need for complex VPN setups or relying solely on endpoint security measures.
Cloud-Based Deployments: Cloud-based remote browser isolation solutions have gained popularity due to their scalability and ease of deployment. These solutions route web traffic to a remote virtual environment, where browsing sessions are executed. The rendered content is then transmitted back to the user's device, ensuring a seamless browsing experience.

On-Premises Deployment: For organizations with specific compliance requirements or highly sensitive data, on-premises remote browser isolation solutions provide an alternative. In this approach, the isolation environment is hosted within the organization's infrastructure, granting greater control and customization options.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, remote browser isolation is expected to play an increasingly important role in cybersecurity strategies. The adoption of this technology is likely to grow, driven by the need for robust protection against web-based attacks. Moreover, advancements in virtualization and cloud technologies will further enhance the performance and scalability of remote browser isolation solutions.

Remote browser isolation is a game-changer in the realm of cybersecurity. By creating a secure and isolated browsing environment, it provides effective protection against web-based threats, zero-day vulnerabilities, and enables secure BYOD practices. Whether implemented through cloud-based solutions or on-premises deployments, remote browser isolation is poised to shape the future of web security, ensuring safer digital experiences for individuals and organizations alike.

Matt Conran

Highlights: What is Remote Browser Isolation

What is Browser Isolation

With browser isolation (remote browsing), internet browsing activity is separated from loading and displaying webpages locally.

Most website visitors load content and code directly from their local browsers. The content and code on the Internet often come from unknown sources (e.g., cloud hosting and web servers), which makes browsing the Internet somewhat risky from a security perspective. Web content is loaded and executed in the cloud by remote browser isolation (RBI), which underpins browser isolation.

Detecting hazardous web content is “outsourced” to remote browsing, like machines monitoring hazardous environments to protect humans. Consequently, users are protected from malicious websites (and the networks they connect to) that carry malware.

Types: Remote Browser Isolation?

Remote browser isolation (RBI), or cloud-hosted browser isolation, involves loading and executing webpages and code on a cloud server far from users’ local devices. Any malicious cookies or downloads are deleted after the user’s browsing session ends.

RBI technology protects users and corporate networks from untrusted browser activity. Users’ web browsing activities are typically conducted on a cloud server controlled by RBI vendors. Through RBI, users can interact with webpages normally without loading the entire website on their local device or browser. User actions, such as mouse clicks, keyboard inputs, and form submissions, are sent to a cloud server for further processing.

1. Enhanced Security: The primary advantage of remote browser isolation is its ability to provide enhanced web security. By isolating the browsing activity in a remote environment, any potential malware, zero-day exploits, or malicious websites are contained within the isolated environment, ensuring they cannot reach the user’s device. This dramatically reduces the risk of successful cyber attacks, as the user’s device remains protected even if a website is compromised.

2. Protection Against Phishing Attacks: Phishing attacks are a significant concern for individuals and organizations. Remote browser isolation offers a robust defense against such attacks. By isolating the browsing session, any attempts to trick users into revealing sensitive information through fraudulent websites or email links are ineffective, as the malicious code is contained within the isolated environment.

3. Mitigation of Web-Based Threats: Remote browser isolation effectively mitigates web-based threats by preventing the execution of potentially malicious code on the user’s device. Whether it’s malware, ransomware, or drive-by downloads, all potentially harmful elements are executed within the isolated environment, ensuring the user’s device remains unharmed. This approach significantly reduces the attack surface and minimizes the potential impact of web-based threats.

4. Compatibility and Ease of Use: One key advantage of remote browser isolation is its compatibility with various platforms and devices. Users can access isolated browsing sessions from any device, including desktops, laptops, and mobile devices, without compromising security. This flexibility ensures a seamless user experience while maintaining high security.

Example Technology: Browser Caching

Understanding Browser Caching

Browser caching is a mechanism that allows web browsers to store static files locally, such as images, CSS files, and JavaScript scripts. When a user revisits a website, the browser can retrieve these cached files from the local storage instead of making a new request to the server. This significantly reduces page load time and minimizes bandwidth usage.

Nginx, a popular web server, offers a powerful module called “header” that enables fine-grained control over HTTP response headers. By utilizing this module, we can easily configure browser caching directives and control cache expiration for different types of files.

Implementing Browser Caching

To start leveraging browser caching with Nginx, we need to modify the server configuration. First, we define the types of files we want to cache, such as images, CSS, and JavaScript. Then, we set the desired expiration time for each file type, specifying how long the browser should keep the cached versions before checking for updates.

While setting a fixed expiration time for cached files is a good start, it’s important to fine-tune our cache expiration strategies based on file update frequency. For static files that rarely change, we can set longer expiration times. However, for dynamic files that are updated frequently, we should use techniques like cache busting or versioning to ensure users always receive the latest versions.

Implementing Remote Browser Isolation:

– Implementing remote browser isolation typically involves deploying a virtualized browsing environment that runs on a server or in the cloud. When a user initiates a web session, the web content is rendered within this isolated environment and securely transmitted to the user’s device as a visual stream, ensuring no potentially harmful code reaches the endpoint.

– Various approaches to implementing remote browser isolation exist, ranging from on-premises solutions to cloud-based services. Organizations can choose the option that best suits their requirements, considering scalability, ease of management, and integration with existing security infrastructure.

The Rise of Threats:

– The majority of attacks originate externally. Why? The Internet can be dirty because we can’t control what we don’t know. Browsing the Internet and clicking on uniform resource identifier (URL) links exposes the enterprise to compromise risks.

– These concerns can be very worrying for individuals who need to use the internet regularly, as they want a safe online browsing experience. Cyber security is becoming an increasingly vital consideration to be aware of when using the internet, with rising cyber-attacks forcing the need for Remote Browser Isolation (RBI). 

Before you proceed, you may find the following posts helpful:

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  4. IPv6 Attacks

What is Remote Browser Isolation

The Challenging Landscape

It is estimated that the distribution of exploits used in cyber attacks by type of application attacked showed over 40% related to browser attacks. Android was next in line with 27% of the attack surface. As a result, we need to provide more security regarding Internet browsing.

Most compromises involve web-based attacks and standard plugins, such as Adobe, supported in the browser. Attacks will always happen, but your ability to deal with them is the key. If you use the Internet daily, check the security of your proxy server.

Challenge: Browser Attacks

Attacking through the browser is too easy, and the targets are too rich. Once an attacker has penetrated the web browser, they can move laterally throughout the network, targeting high-value assets such as a database server. Data exfiltration is effortless these days.

Attackers use social media accounts such as Twitter and even domain name systems (DNS) commonly not inspected by firewalls as file transfer mechanisms. We need to apply the zero trust network design default-deny posture to web browsing. This is known as Remote Browser Isolation.

Remote Browser Isolation: Zero Trust

Neil McDonald, an analyst from Gartner, is driving the evolution of Remote Browser Isolation. This feature is necessary to offer a complete solution to the zero-trust model. The zero-trust model already consists of micro-segmentation vendors that can be SDN-based, network-based appliances (physical or virtual), microservices-based, host-based, container-centric, IaaS built-in segmentation, or API-based. There are also a variety of software-defined perimeter vendors in the zero-trust movement.

So, what is Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)? Remote Browser Isolation starts with a default-deny posture, contains the ability to compromise, reduces the surface area for an attack, and, as sessions are restored to a known good state after each use, it is like having a dynamic segment of 1 for surfing the Internet. Remote browser offerings are a subset of browser isolation technologies that remove the browser process from the end user’s desktop.

You can host a browser on a terminal server and then use the on-device browser to browse to that browser, increasing the security posture. When you use HTML 5 connectivity, the rendering is done in the remote browser.

RBI – Sample Solution

Some vendors are coming out with a Linux-based, proxy-based solution. A proxy – often hosted on sites like https://www.free-proxy-list.net/ – acts as an internet gateway, a middleman for internet interactions. Usually, when you browse the Internet, you go to a non-whitelist site, but if it hasn’t been blacklisted, you will be routed to the remote system.

Real-time Rendering

You could have a small Linux-based solution in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) or the cloud in the proxy-based system. That container with docker container security best practices enabled will do the browsing for you. It will render the information in real time and send it back to the user using HTML5 as the protocol using images. For example, if you are going to a customer relationship management (CRM) system right now, you will go directly to that system as it is whitelisted.

Best Browsing Experience

But when you go to a website that hasn’t been defined, the system will open a small container, and that dedicated container can give you the browsing experience, and you won’t know the difference. As a result, you can mimic a perfect browsing experience without any active code running on your desktop while browsing.

Separating Browsing Activities

Remote browser isolation has emerged as a powerful solution in the fight against web-based cyber threats. Separating browsing activities from the user’s local device provides enhanced security, protects against phishing attacks, mitigates web-based threats, and offers compatibility across different platforms and devices.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, remote browser isolation is set to play a crucial role in safeguarding individuals and organizations from the ever-present dangers of the web.

Closing Points on RBI

Remote Browser Isolation is a security measure designed to protect users from web-based threats by isolating web browsing activities from the local network. Unlike traditional security measures that rely on detecting and blocking threats, RBI assumes that all web content could be potentially harmful. It works by executing web pages in a secure, isolated environment—often in the cloud—thus preventing any malicious content from reaching the user’s device. This proactive approach ensures that even if a web page is infected, the threat remains contained within the isolated environment.

The benefits of Remote Browser Isolation stretch beyond mere threat containment. Firstly, it significantly reduces the risk of phishing attacks, a common method used by cybercriminals. By isolating web pages, users are protected from inadvertently downloading ransomware or malware. Secondly, RBI improves compliance and data protection, essential for industries handling sensitive information. Additionally, it provides a seamless user experience, as the isolation occurs in real-time without noticeable delays, maintaining productivity and efficiency.

Implementing RBI in your organization involves several key steps. Begin by assessing your current cybersecurity posture and identifying areas where RBI can complement existing defenses. Collaborate with IT professionals to ensure a smooth integration process. Training and educating employees about the benefits and functionality of RBI will also enhance adoption rates. Moreover, regularly updating and maintaining the isolation environment is crucial to adapt to evolving cyber threats.

Many organizations across various sectors are already reaping the benefits of Remote Browser Isolation. Financial institutions, for example, utilize RBI to safeguard sensitive customer data from phishing and malware attacks. Educational institutions employ RBI to create a safe browsing environment for students and staff. These success stories highlight the versatility and effectiveness of RBI in enhancing cyber resilience and protecting critical information.

 

 

Summary: What is Remote Browser Isolation

In today’s digital landscape, where online threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, ensuring secure browsing experiences is paramount. Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) emerges as an innovative solution to tackle these challenges head-on. In this blog post, we delved into the world of RBI, its key benefits, implementation, and its role in enhancing cybersecurity.

Understanding Remote Browser Isolation

Remote Browser Isolation, also known as Web Isolation, is an advanced security technique that separates web browsing activities from the local device and moves them to a remote environment. By executing web code and rendering web content outside the user’s device, RBI effectively prevents malicious code and potential threats from reaching the user’s endpoint.

The Benefits of Remote Browser Isolation

Enhanced Security: RBI is a robust defense mechanism against web-based attacks such as malware, ransomware, and phishing. By isolating potentially harmful content away from the local device, it minimizes the risk of compromise and protects sensitive data.

Improved Productivity: With RBI, employees can access and interact with web content without worrying about inadvertently clicking on malicious links or compromising their devices. This freedom increases productivity and empowers users to navigate the web without fear.

Compatibility and User Experience: One of the notable advantages of RBI is its seamless compatibility with various devices and operating systems. Regardless of the user’s device specifications, RBI ensures a consistent and secure browsing experience without additional software installations or updates.

Implementing Remote Browser Isolation

Cloud-Based RBI Solutions: Many organizations opt for cloud-based RBI solutions, where web browsing activities are redirected to remote virtual machines. This approach offers scalability, ease of management, and reduced hardware dependencies.

On-Premises RBI Solutions: Some organizations prefer deploying RBI on their own infrastructure, which provides them with greater control over security policies and data governance. On-premises RBI solutions offer enhanced customization options and tighter integration with existing security systems.

Remote Browser Isolation in Action

Secure Web Access: RBI enables users to access potentially risky websites and applications in a safe and controlled environment. This proves particularly useful for industries like finance, healthcare, and government, where sensitive data protection is paramount.

Phishing Prevention: By isolating web content, RBI effectively neutralizes phishing attempts. The isolation prevents potential damage or data loss, even if a user unintentionally interacts with a fraudulent website or email link.

Conclusion:

Remote Browser Isolation stands at the forefront of modern cybersecurity strategies, offering a proactive and practical approach to protect users and organizations from web-based threats. RBI provides enhanced security, improved productivity, and seamless compatibility by isolating web browsing activities. Whether deployed through cloud-based solutions or on-premises implementations, RBI is a powerful tool for safeguarding digital experiences in an ever-evolving threat landscape.