Across complex hybrid networks, even a small configuration change or errant rule can create a ripple of unintended consequences, a phenomenon known as the “Butterfly Effect.” With hidden dependencies and siloed data, network and security professionals struggle to make necessary changes without risking non-compliance and a failed audit.
A recent research report, The Network Butterfly Effect: The Hidden Cost of Network Security Policy Management identifies that network and security professionals are right to be concerned.
The risk of a failed audit
The report reveals that 91% of network and security professionals are concerned about failing an internal audit, while 49% cite unknowingly breaching network and security compliance policies as one of their top concerns.
Concerns over regulatory non-compliance due to network misconfigurations are not unfounded. Over the past five years, the report finds that over 70% of network and security professionals identified two or more failings as part of an external audit.
Pass compliance audits
The best way to reduce the risk of non-compliance through misconfigurations is to reduce the rate at which they are introduced. However, traditional approaches to network security policy management fall short of providing the visibility or scale required to manage the compliance of modern, complex networks.
Network teams must embrace new practices to maintain compliance. These practices will help them understand and pre-empt the impact of every ripple across the network.
Here are three ways to overcome the risk of non-compliance and a failed audit:
(1) Automate network security
Automated network security significantly reduces the time spent on repetitive tasks like firewall rule management and device provisioning. Additionally, it mitigates the risk of human error, thereby reducing the risk of introducing non-compliant misconfigurations.
(2) Create a digital twin of the network
A dynamic visual model of your entire hybrid network, a “digital twin” of the real environment allows security and network teams to visualize and interact with the network topology, assets, security controls, and access paths without directly impacting the live network. This network topology map keeps any unintended violation of compliance rules sandboxed, so they can be assessed and addressed before going into production.
(3) Integrate threat intelligence
Regulatory standards require vulnerabilities to be patched within a certain timeframe. With live threat intelligence feeds providing real-time information about emerging threats and firewall vulnerabilities, network and security professionals are notified when elements need their attention to maintain compliance.
The report reveals that capabilities like these top the tech wish list for network and security professionals. They enable the team to mitigate the consequences of the “Butterfly Effect” and ensure network security is continuously compliant and audit-ready.
