Uninterrupted network operations are crucial for performing seamless operations at an enterprise level. Business stakeholders and executives remain concerned about the network so that it stays up and running. However, with the ever-evolving cyber threats hovering across enterprise networks, enterprises must use robust strategies to prevent network systems and devices connected to them from sophisticated attacks. Legacy protection techniques like post-incident response systems and simply patching the systems for vulnerabilities are no longer enough, considering the modern-day attack vectors.
That is where enterprises should deploy proactive network monitoring tools & solutions to empower enterprises to predict, identify, or detect threats before they impact severely. This article is a complete walkthrough of proactive network monitoring for enterprise-grade solutions. Here, we will also grab a concrete idea about the benefits of real-time network monitoring, various tools & strategies used, and some network monitoring for security best practices.
What is Proactive Network Monitoring?
Proactive network monitoring or constant monitoring of enterprise-grade networks is a strategy in cybersecurity in which the security system and network security experts continuously observe the overall enterprise network for threats and attack vectors. Proactive network monitoring also involves analyzing traffic, system activity, and user behaviour in real time. Through real-time monitoring, enterprise security professionals can detect potential security threats, network-related performance issues, and breach attempts before they can cause harm.
Unlike reactive monitoring, which involves preventive measures or responses to incidents after they emerge, proactive monitoring anticipates and handles crises before they escalate into severe breaches, malfunctions, or system failures. Proactive monitoring uses sophisticated tools, automation techniques, and manual workflow to ensure uptime for enterprise-grade network systems. The three essential workflows involved in proactive monitoring are:
- Tracking of all network components
- Predicting attacks, detecting anomalies & malfunctioning in real-time
- Analyzing performance metrics and cyber threats
Key Elements of Proactive Monitoring
Modern-day real-time network monitoring involves specific elements that differentiate it from legacy network monitoring systems. These are:
1. Real-time data analytics and reports
Constant network traffic analysis helps enterprises identify suspicious attempts, attack patterns, and performance issues. It can also help companies track threats and mitigate them before they go seriously wrong.
2. Automation
Another factor that distinguishes modern network monitoring from traditional ones is automation. Through automated scripts and filtering techniques, enterprises can detect performance issues or threats. Automation can also help companies isolate compromised devices or block malicious IP addresses.
3.Deep network visibility
Enterprises employ Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technologies to analyze every network packet. Such deep visibility at a packet level & automated checks for performance issues or cyber threats provide insights into the data flowing through the network.
4. Continuous improvement and learning
Modern network monitoring tools also include advanced AI/ML techniques and algorithms. These algorithms can learn and update their detection techniques based on past incidents and adapt to new, evolving threats.
Benefits of Proactive Network Monitoring
Proactive network monitoring combines advanced technologies, allowing enterprises to reap numerous benefits. The most basic is the ability to identify and mitigate threats before they cause considerable damage. Compliance assurance and cost reduction are other benefits. Let’s explore the benefits of proactive network monitoring at the enterprise level.
1. Reduce downtime
The less the enterprise network remains down, the better the business continuity will persist. Through proactive monitoring, enterprises can reduce traffic congestion, bandwidth bottlenecks, & hardware-level mishaps. Addressing these internal issues before time can help enterprises minimize costly downtime that might otherwise affect productivity and business operations.
2. Early threat detection
One of the most notable benefits of network monitoring is that enterprises can detect malicious threats and mitigate them before they turn to digital mayhem. Proactive network monitoring offers real-time monitoring with insider employee behaviour analyses, external phishing attempts, and malware infection.
3. Enhance incident response
Enterprises can also maximize real-time incident detection and response through proactive monitoring. With the help of automation, the system can take immediate actions like blocking malicious traffic (inbound and outbound), quarantining compromised devices or network components, or performing necessary periodic checks without human intervention.
4. Regulatory compliance
Stringent regulations have become prominent across various industries, such as finance, banking, healthcare, etc. Their critical network infrastructure must adhere to regulatory compliance like HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS, etc. All these regulatory compliance demands high-end network monitoring. Thus, proactive monitoring provides detailed audit trails to ensure data integrity and timely management of various incidents.
Various Tools for Proactive Network Monitoring
Companies should use advanced tools to leverage proactive network monitoring at an enterprise level. These tools offer performance optimization, real-time threat detection, and automated response. Here is a list of well-known proactive network monitoring tools used at an enterprise level.
1. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
SIEM offers an aggregate solution to provide log and event data for the entire enterprise network. SIEM offers real-time analysis across the network to detect security incidents. Also, it comes with advanced correlation engines for identifying threats and keeping records of logs. IBM QRadar and Splunk Enterprise Security are some examples of SIEM tools.
2. NPM Tools
Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) tools are network health-tracking tools that help enterprise network administrators keep track of various metrics like packet loss, latency, bandwidth usage, and jitter. These tools ensure that all the components attached to the network are up and running without showing any performance issues. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor and Paessler PRTG are examples of Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) tools.
3. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)/Intrusion Prevention systems (IPS)
Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention systems (IPS) are essential network monitoring tools that look for suspicious data packets and provide alerts or take action to block potential attacks. They combine traditional signature-based detection with behavioural analysis to identify known and unknown threats. Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls and Snort are popular IDS/IPS systems examples.
4. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Systems
Endpoints are those devices that users use directly. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools monitor endpoints such as laptops, tablets, and IoT devices for suspicious activities and potential compromises. They are vital for stopping threats from penetrating the network via vulnerable endpoint devices. CrowdStrike Falcon, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, and other antivirus programs are popular examples of EDRs.
Best Practices for Proactive Network Monitoring
To enhance the effectiveness of proactive monitoring across the entire network systems, enterprises should follow best practices that ensure comprehensive coverage, real-time response, and continuous improvement.
- One of the most essential aspects of proactive monitoring is continuous monitoring. It often involves 24/7 visibility into network performance, data packets, and user actions to identify and resolve issues when they arise. Thus, enterprises should deploy automated AI-powered monitoring systems that provide real-time insights into network health.
2. Another best practice to reduce monitoring overhead is to segment the network into smaller, isolated segments. This will limit the spreading of malware or other lateral attacks. Thus, enterprises should introduce micro-segmentation for critical systems and applications. Virtual LANs (VLANs) can also help restrict unauthorized access to sensitive resources.
3. Periodic analysis and interpretation of threats through threat intelligence reports and feeds can help enterprises comprehend attack methods from global sources. These feeds improve proactive monitoring by facilitating security systems’ identification and stopping of attacks based on the latest threat data.
4. Network penetration testing and vulnerability scanning are also necessary best practices that help in determining & remediating security flaws before they disturb the operations relying on networks. Thus, companies should hire penetration testers or implement vulnerability scanning tools.
5. Another best practice for maintaining proactive network monitoring is implementing an automated threat and performance response system. Pre-configured automation rules permit the system to take primary & necessary first-hand action, such as quarantining compromised devices or blocking hostile network traffic, without requiring manual intervention.
Conclusion
We hope this article provides a comprehensive view of proactive network monitoring and how it can benefit enterprises. The article also outlines the significant elements needed for proactive network monitoring. Then, we discuss the various tools and techniques used in proactive network monitoring. Finally, we conclude with five essential best practices enterprises should follow to reap the maximum benefit of proactive monitoring. VE3 offers cutting-edge cybersecurity solution for proactive network monitoring, ensuring your enterprise stays protected with real-time insights and robust tools. Our expertise enables businesses to optimize performance, enhance security, and ensure operational efficiency. With our tailored services, including best-in-class tools and proactive strategies, we empower your organization to stay ahead of threats and minimize downtime.
Partner with VE3 today to secure your digital future and enhance your operational efficiency. Contact us or visit us for more information.