Understanding the Difference Between Network Segmentation and Micro-Segmentation
You’ve likely come across the term “micro-segmentation” more than once – It’s become a key concept in the fight against cyber threats. However, understanding exactly what someone means by saying micro-segmentation can be challenging.
People commonly confuse micro-segmentation and network segmentation, even network and security professionals. This issue is further exacerbated by marketers and salespeople using and distorting the term to sell more products.
So what exactly is micro-segmentation, and how does it compare to network segmentation? Let’s break it down.
What is Network Segmentation?
Network segmentation is the practice of dividing a network into smaller, isolated segments or zones to enhance security. Each segment can have its own set of security controls and policies, allowing for better control and visibility of network traffic. This helps prevent unauthorized access and limits the potential damage that a cyber attack can cause.
Network segmentation is like creating virtual walls within a network, separating different parts of the network from each other to reduce the risk of lateral movement by attackers.
What is Micro-Segmentation?
Here’s the bottom line. Micro-segmentation takes network segmentation to a more granular level. It involves implementing tight security controls at the workload level, which means securing communication between specific workloads or applications rather than just segmenting the entire network.
Micro-segmentation minimizes the attack surface even further by restricting access between different components or services within a workload based on predefined policies. This provides an additional layer of security by reducing the potential for lateral movement within a workload, making it harder for attackers to traverse the network.
What’s the Difference Between Network Segmentation and Micro-Segmentation?
The critical difference between network segmentation and micro-segmentation lies in the level of granularity and the focus on security controls. Network segmentation typically operates at a broader level, dividing the network into larger segments, while micro-segmentation operates at a more detailed level, securing communication between specific workloads or applications.
Both security strategies fall under Zero Trust security, which means that no communication is inherently trusted, and all communication must be explicitly authorized before allowed to go ahead. However, micro-segmentation is generally considered superior here because it can quickly contain breaches, safeguard critical applications, and further shrink the attack surface.
Lastly, micro-segmentation provides a higher level of security and control, but it may also require more effort to implement and manage due to its granularity.
When Should You Use Network Segmentation vs. Micro-segmentation?
When it comes to securing your network, knowing when to use network segmentation versus micro-segmentation can make a big difference in your overall security posture. Network segmentation is excellent for creating broad boundaries within your network, keeping different departments or areas isolated from one another. It’s like having locked doors between rooms in a house, limiting access and reducing the risk of unauthorized entry. Network segmentation is a good choice when you need to separate different parts of your network with a basic level of security, but you may still trust communication within those segments.
On the other hand, micro-segmentation is ideal for protecting critical workloads or applications with highly sensitive data. It’s like having a locked safe within a locked room in your house – an extra layer of security for your most valuable possessions.
