10 Network Switch Security Best Practices

A network switch is a key part of any network infrastructure, providing the ability to connect multiple devices and form a network. As such, it is important to ensure that network switches are properly secured to prevent unauthorized access and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.

In this article, we will discuss 10 best practices for securing network switches. By following these best practices, you can help to ensure the security of your network and the data it contains.

1. Use a dedicated management network

A dedicated management network is a network that is used solely for the purpose of managing network devices. This network is isolated from the rest of the network, and only authorized personnel have access to it.

The benefits of using a dedicated management network are two-fold. First, it reduces the risk of unauthorized access to the network devices. Second, it reduces the chances of accidental or malicious changes to the network configuration.

Using a dedicated management network is a best practice because it helps to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the network devices, and that the network configuration cannot be accidentally or maliciously changed.

2. Always use SSH or HTTPS for remote access

When you use SSH or HTTPS for remote access, all data that is transmitted between the network switch and the remote device is encrypted. This means that if someone were to intercept the data, they would not be able to read it.

Using SSH or HTTPS also authenticates the remote device. This means that only devices that have the correct SSH key or HTTPS certificate will be able to connect to the network switch. This prevents unauthorized devices from connecting to the switch and accessing the data on it.

3. Disable unused ports and services

By keeping unnecessary ports and services enabled, you’re providing potential attackers with more opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities. So, it’s important to only enable the ports and services that are absolutely necessary for your organization’s operations.

To disable unused ports and services, you’ll need to access your switch’s configuration interface and navigate to the appropriate menu. Once you’ve located the correct menu, you should see a list of all the ports and services that are currently enabled on your switch. From here, you can simply disable the ones that aren’t being used.

4. Enable port security

Port security is a feature that allows you to specify which MAC addresses are allowed to access each port on a switch. This is important because it prevents unauthorized devices from connecting to your network and limits the spread of malware if a device is infected.

To enable port security, you’ll need to configure it on each port you want to protect. The exact steps will vary depending on your switch, but in general, you’ll need to specify the maximum number of MAC addresses allowed on the port and the action to take if the limit is exceeded.

You can also use port security to block traffic from specific MAC addresses. This can be useful if you want to prevent a device from connecting to your network or if you suspect that a device is already infected with malware.

5. Set up VLANs to segment traffic

If an attacker were to gain access to one of the devices on your network, they would then have access to all of the traffic on that network. By segmenting your network into different VLANS, you can limit the amount of damage that can be done by an attacker, as they would only have access to the devices on the VLAN that they are on.

This is especially important if you have sensitive data on your network, as it will help to keep that data safe from attackers.

To set up VLANs, you will need to configure your network switches and routers to use them. You will also need to create rules to determine which devices are allowed on which VLANs.

6. Configure your switch as a DHCP server

When you configure your switch as a DHCP server, it will automatically assign IP addresses to devices that connect to it. This is important because it ensures that each device on the network has a unique IP address.

If two devices have the same IP address, they will conflict with each other and cause problems on the network. By configuring your switch as a DHCP server, you can avoid this problem.

Additionally, configuring your switch as a DHCP server gives you more control over the IP addresses that are assigned to devices on the network. For example, you can specify which range of IP addresses should be used for devices on the network.

Finally, configuring your switch as a DHCP server allows you to manage devices on the network more easily. For example, you can use the DHCP server to keep track of which devices are connected to the network and what their IP addresses are.

7. Implement 802.1X authentication

802.1X is an IEEE standard that defines how authentication works in a LAN environment. It’s often used in conjunction with EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) to provide centralized authentication for devices and users on a network.

When 802.1X is implemented, each device on the network is assigned a unique ID (usually called a supplicant). This ID is used to authenticate the device when it attempts to connect to the network.

If the device is successfully authenticated, it’s then able to access the network. If the device is not authenticated, it’s not able to access the network.

This process of authenticating devices on a network helps to improve security because it ensures that only authorized devices are able to access the network. It also makes it more difficult for attackers to gain access to the network, as they would need to know the ID of an authorized device in order to authenticate.

802.1X authentication is not a perfect solution, but it’s a very important best practice for securing a network.

8. Monitor the network with NAC

NAC can detect when devices are trying to connect to the network that don’t have the proper security configuration. This includes devices that are missing security patches, have outdated antivirus software, or are running unauthorized applications.

When NAC detects these devices, it can take action to prevent them from connecting to the network. This helps to protect the network from malware and other security threats.

NAC can also help to enforce security policies. For example, if a policy requires all devices to have up-to-date antivirus software, NAC can ensure that only devices with the latest updates are able to connect to the network.

Enforcing security policies with NAC can help to improve compliance with industry regulations such as HIPAA and PCI DSS.

9. Secure SNMP communications

SNMP is the Simple Network Management Protocol, and it’s used by network administrators to manage network devices. SNMP communications are not encrypted, which means that if an attacker can intercept them, they can see sensitive information like passwords and community strings.

To secure SNMP communications, you should use SNMPv3, which supports encryption and authentication. You should also disable SNMP on any ports that are not being used for management purposes.

10. Harden your switches against attacks

If an attacker gains access to your network switch, they can easily launch a man-in-the-middle attack or a denial-of-service attack. By hardening your switches against attacks, you can make it much more difficult for attackers to gain access to your network and launch these types of attacks.

There are a few different ways you can harden your switches against attacks. One way is to disable unused ports and protocols. This will reduce the attack surface of your switch and make it more difficult for attackers to find a way in.

You should also consider implementing access control lists (ACLs) on your switch. ACLs can be used to restrict access to certain ports and protocols, making it even more difficult for attackers to gain access to your network.

Finally, you should consider encrypting all traffic that passes through your switch. This will make it much more difficult for attackers to eavesdrop on your network traffic and steal sensitive data.