Building a Resilient Network Infrastructure: Security Practices Every IT Team Needs

Securing your network infrastructure is crucial—there’s no room for shortcuts. The same devices and setups that keep your network running can become vulnerabilities if they aren’t managed correctly. From verifying hardware authenticity to using better credential practices, strong infrastructure security comes down to careful management and following best practices.

We’ll cover the essential steps to strengthen your network security, sharing lessons learned from real-world audits and onboarding experiences.

The Foundation: Start with Trusted Hardware

Your network is only as strong as the foundation it’s built on. Unfortunately, organizations take risks by buying network hardware from secondary or gray markets, which can cause big problems. Without proper support contracts, you could miss out on critical updates and patches. Even worse, counterfeit equipment can introduce serious vulnerabilities that put your entire network at risk.

Always buy equipment from trusted sources and make sure it’s eligible for updates. Support agreements like Cisco SmartNet or Fortinet contracts aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential for protecting against new threats.

Rethink Credentials: The Case Against “Admin/Admin”

Hackers love default credentials, yet many network devices still use their factory-set usernames and passwords. Changing these isn’t just a good idea—it’s a security bare minimum.

When updating credentials, go beyond just changing the password. Updating the default username can help block brute-force attacks, especially on devices with outdated settings that don’t allow the default admin account to be disabled.

Shared credentials are another big risk. They make it hard to track who made changes and complicate access removal when team members leave. Use centralized authentication instead. Tools like RADIUS, TACACS, or Active Directory-based single sign-on (SSO) allow you to assign unique logins, monitor activity, and quickly revoke access—all while making credential management easier.

Least Privilege: Protect Access, Protect Yourself

Giving every admin full access to your network might seem convenient, but it’s a recipe for disaster. Instead, follow the principle of least privilege, letting users access only what they need to do their jobs.

Role-based access control (RBAC) is a great way to manage this. For example, helpdesk technicians might need to view wireless access points but shouldn’t be able to change firewall rules. This targeted approach not only strengthens security but also reduces the chances of accidental changes.

Real-World Example: We’ve seen cases where former employees still had full admin access long after leaving. Regular access audits can catch these issues before they become serious risks.

Secure the Management Layer

The management interface allows for complete control of network infrastructure devices, making it a prime target for attackers. Exposing it to public networks puts your entire system at risk.

Best Practices:

• Dedicated VLANs: Isolate management interfaces on a private network that only your team can access.
• IP Restrictions: Allow access only from trusted IP addresses or ranges.
• Out-of-Band Management: Use a jump server or LTE-based management solution to keep sensitive interfaces completely hidden.

If remote access is necessary, stick to secure methods like VPNs or other secure remote access methods, and always use HTTPS and SSH instead of outdated protocols like Telnet.

Real-World Example: Just this year, two of the largest firewall vendors have had vulnerabilities in their firewall management interfaces, or centralized management applications, that allowed attackers to breach their clients' networks. Isn’t it funny how the things we buy to keep us protected are things that can cause compromises?

Beyond Passwords: Centralize and Layer Your Defenses

Strong passwords are important, but they’re not enough on their own. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second form of verification. Many platforms and devices now support MFA, making it a simple way to boost security.

Another smart move is to compartmentalize credentials. Don’t use one account for everything. For instance, your domain admin credentials shouldn’t also be your everyday login. Keeping accounts separate minimizes the damage if one gets compromised.

Stay Ahead with Proactive Practices

Keeping your infrastructure secure means staying proactive with regular maintenance and checks:

• Patching: Always update firmware and software. Security patches fix known vulnerabilities that attackers love to exploit.
• Configuration Backups: Regular backups help you recover quickly from device failures or accidental changes.
• Auditing: Regularly review access permissions and configurations to catch issues before they become problems.

These steps don’t just protect your network—they also make management easier and help you avoid preventable troubleshooting headaches.

Conclusion

Your network infrastructure isn’t just a collection of devices—it’s the backbone of your business. By prioritizing essentials like trusted hardware, strong credentials, and least privilege access, you can create a secure and reliable environment.

For Matrix Networks’ mNET clients, we handle many of these tasks for you, including patch management, configuration backups, and monitoring. Not sure if your network aligns with today’s best practices? We’re here to help. Whether you need an audit, project support, or ongoing management, we can help improve your infrastructure security.

Contact us today to build a stronger, more secure network!

 Contact Matrix Networks.