Often cybersecurity professionals forget the easiest way to access a system is through the front door and not using a computer from 100 miles away. Creating a castle in which both physical and network security defenses are defined holds off intruders.
Part 1:
Create a digital diagram of a castle, complete with all the necessary components:
Gateway router
Firewall
Antivirus
VPN
SIEM
Data backup
Server
IPS
DMZ
Multifactor authentication
Part 2:
Write a 500- to 750-word-analysis about your castle and address the following:
Within each defensive layer of the castle, identify the physical security aspect of the defensive structure and the technical aspect designed to protect the king, the server. (For instance, the castle gate would be considered a physical barrier and gateway router to a system. Not every portion of the diagram may have both a physical and technical aspect.)
Incorporate within the design the physical security elements, including environmental concerns (deterrence, detection, delay, response), by identifying them throughout your castle design. Provide an explanation of the design for a professional nontechnical audience.
Describe cyber defense tools, methods, and components, and explain how to apply cyber defense methods to prepare a system to repel attacks.
Submit a single Microsoft Word document containing your diagram and your analysis.
Full Answer Section
Physical and Technical Security Aspects
The following table identifies the physical security aspect and technical aspect of each defensive layer of the cybersecurity castle:
The castle gate is the main point of entry to the castle, and it is important to protect it physically and technically. The gateway router acts as a physical barrier by routing all incoming traffic to the firewall. The firewall then inspects all incoming traffic and blocks any malicious traffic.
The castle walls are another important physical security measure. They help to deter intruders and make it more difficult for them to gain access to the castle. The IPS can be used to further protect the castle walls by detecting and blocking malicious traffic that attempts to penetrate them.
The castle moat is a body of water that surrounds the castle. It can be used to deter intruders and make it more difficult for them to reach the castle walls. The DMZ is a network segment that is isolated from the rest of the internal network. It can be used to host publicly accessible servers and services, such as web servers and email servers. The VPN can be used to connect to the DMZ from a secure location, such as the internal network.
The keep is the most important part of the castle, and it is where the server is located. The server stores all of the important data and applications, so it is important to protect it from unauthorized access. Antivirus software can be used to protect the server from malware infections.
Physical Security Elements and Environmental Concerns
The cybersecurity castle design incorporates the following physical security elements and environmental concerns:
- Deterrence: The castle gate, castle walls, and castle moat all help to deter intruders. The IPS can also be used to deter intruders by detecting and blocking malicious traffic before it reaches the castle walls.
- Detection: The IPS can be used to detect malicious traffic that attempts to penetrate the castle walls. The SIEM can also be used to detect malicious activity on the internal network.
- Delay: The castle walls, castle moat, and DMZ all help to delay intruders. The IPS can also be used to delay intruders by blocking malicious traffic.
- Response: The cybersecurity castle design does not have a specific response component. However, the SIEM can be used to monitor the network for malicious activity and alert the security team if any is detected.
Cyber Defense Tools, Methods, and Components
The following cyber defense tools, methods, and components are used in the cybersecurity castle design:
- Gateway router: A gateway router is a device that connects the internal network to the internet. It routes all incoming traffic to the firewall for inspection.
- Firewall: A firewall is a device that inspects all incoming traffic and blocks any malicious traffic.
- Antivirus software: Antivirus software is a program that protects computers from malware infections.
- VPN: A VPN is a technology that creates a secure tunnel between two devices. It can be used to connect to the DMZ from a secure location, such as the internal network.
- SIEM: A SIEM is a system that collects and analyzes security logs from various devices on the network. It can be used to detect malicious activity on the internal network.
- IPS: An IPS is a device that detects and blocks malicious traffic that attempts to penetrate the network.
- DMZ: A DMZ is a network segment that is isolated from the rest of the internal network. It can be used to host publicly accessible servers and services, such as web servers and email servers.
- Multifactor authentication: Multifactor authentication is a security measure that requires users to provide two or more factors of authentication in order to log in to a system.
How to Apply Cyber Defense Methods to Prepare a System to Repel Attacks
The following are some tips on how to apply cyber defense methods to prepare a system to repel attacks:
- Implement a layered security approach. This means using a variety of security controls, such as firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion prevention systems, to protect your system.
- Keep your software up to date. Software vendors regularly release security updates to patch vulnerabilities in their software. It is important to install these updates as soon as they are available.
- Educate your employees about cybersecurity. Employees should be aware of the latest cyber threats
Sample Answer
Digital Diagram of a Cybersecurity Castle
[Image of a cybersecurity castle diagram with the following components:
- Gateway router
- Firewall
- Antivirus
- VPN
- SIEM
- Data backup
- Server
- IPS
- DMZ
- Multifactor authentication]
Part 2: Analysis of the Cybersecurity Castle