Network auditing is a must-have for any business. Networks are dynamic entities that constantly grow, diminish, change, and divide. Network administrators can’t even presume they have complete control over this process. The network infrastructure is expanded by users who add devices and, in some cases, new hardware. Worse, this isn’t the first time a user has installed software they require without notifying the administrator. These actions can have serious consequences for network security. To address this, an administrator must conduct regular network audits and keep track of any deviations from the baseline.
Network auditing is the process of mapping your network both in terms of software and hardware. If done manually, the procedure might be onerous, but luckily, several technologies can help automate a big portion of it. The network administrator must be aware of which PCs and devices are connected to the network. He should also be aware of the operating systems in use, as well as the service pack/patch level. What user accounts and groups are on each system, as well as what shares are available and to whom, should all be on the checklist. A competent network audit will also look at the hardware that each system is made up of, the regulations that impact it, and whether it is a physical or virtual machine. The greater the level of information in the specification, the better.
Once the workstations on our system have been mapped, the administrator should investigate what software is installed on each of them. This can be done manually, through an application, or by simply requesting each machine owner to run a script that catalogues apps and sends an email to the administrator with a summary on the software installed. The technique would then be able to index the administrations that are introduced, running, and ended after the product stock is completed. The machine review can be handled by noting which ports each machine listens in on and what programming is actually running during the review season.
After the administrator has finished auditing the network’s PCs, she or he can move on to classifying the devices. Printers, fax machines, switches, access points, storage capacity, and any other device that is connected to the system are examples of these. The system review will be complete after this is completed, however the data must now be dissected. Is there any equipment or programming on any machine that isn’t approved? Is there any machine that is missing critical patches? After these and other critical questions about each system are answered, and machines that aren’t up to snuff are replaced, the chairman now has a powerful security/stock benchmark for all machines on the line.
What is the next step for an administrator?
So, what can you do with the data acquired during the network audit? Network auditing software can be configured to execute an audit on a regular basis, such as every Friday. These weekly reports can then be used to track network changes based on the baseline the administrator established, and to report changes as they happen. On the network, the administrator can then enact adequate change management policies. He/she would also be able to detect and take action against unauthorized software/hardware that might potentially jeopardize the network’s security, or even put the company at risk of legal action as the user installing.
A frequent security audit may be able to differentiate burglary; some clients may choose to use a small portion of the RAM available on their workstation at home, for example. Another common scenario is when a client believes it would not be a problem if he purchases and connects a wireless access point at work in order to get internet access on his mobile phone. This procedure might also inform the administrator if users have turned off the business antivirus or removed any other security software from their device.
Overall, any administrator should perform network audits. Networks evolve dynamically, both as a result of the administrator’s actions and without them. Regular network auditing is the only way an administrator can keep up with changes to the network under care.
Any administrator, in general, should conduct network audits. Both as a result of the administrator’s actions and without them, networks evolve dynamically. The only method for a network administrator to keep up with changes to the network under their control is to conduct regular network audits.