8.21 Security of Network Services

Security mechanisms, service levels and service requirements of network services should be identified, implemented and monitored.

Security of network services in information security refers to the set of practices and technologies that are used to protect the various services that run on a network, such as email, web, file transfer, and database services. These services are often targeted by attackers because they are critical to the functioning of an organisation and are typically the entry point for attackers to gain access to the network.

Security of network services can be achieved through several methods such as:

• Secure configurations: Ensuring that the network services are configured securely and that any unnecessary services are disabled.
• Patch management: Keeping the network services and the underlying operating systems up to date with the latest security patches.
• Access controls: Implementing access controls to restrict access to the network services based on user identity, role, or other attributes.
• Network segmentation: Segmenting the network to limit the scope of a security incident and to isolate the network services from other parts of the network.
• Encryption: Using encryption to protect sensitive data that is transmitted over the network services.
• Intrusion detection and prevention systems: Monitoring the network for suspicious activity and blocking any malicious traffic that may be targeting the network services.
• Security monitoring and incident response: Continuously monitoring the network services and quicklpossible security incidentsdents that may occur.
It's important to note that the security of network services is an ongoing process, and the security measures need must be regularly reviewed, updated, and tested to ensure that they effectively protectnetwork services and their underlying infrastructure.