What is a DMZ network, exactly?

Generally speaking, a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) network is an isolated network segment that works as a buffer between an organization’s internal network and the external, untrusted network. So, when somebody asks, ‘What is DMZ in networking?’, you can explain that it’s like a safety zone for the company’s online services, keeping them separate from the internal network so it is protected against potential threats from the internet.

A DMZ network serves as an additional layer of security, allowing you to host things like your website or email server in this semi-secure area.

How does a DMZ network work?

In the context of DMZ cybersecurity, a typical configuration involves positioning the DMZ between two firewalls, forming what is commonly known as a “dual firewall” architecture. These firewalls are used to enforce security policies or, more precisely, to determine which types of traffic are allowed to pass through based on predefined rules.

This means that, for instance, web or email servers in the DMZ may be accessible, but direct access to internal resources is blocked. This two-firewall approach helps organizations establish a strong security perimeter, protecting sensitive internal networks from external threats while still enabling access to public services.

Another popular approach is the ‘single-firewall DMZ,’ where only one firewall separates the DMZ from both the external and internal networks. This firewall is configured with rules to control traffic entering and leaving the DMZ, allowing specific types of traffic to reach public-facing services while restricting direct access to internal resources.

While simpler and more cost-effective than a dual firewall setup, a single-firewall DMZ may provide less rigorous security measures, potentially increasing the vulnerability of internal networks to external threats.

Here’s a quick comparison of the two discussed DMZ network architectures:

Dual-firewall design:

• Uses two firewalls, one that separates the internal network from the DMZ, and the other that separates the DMZ from the external network.

• The so-called ‘outer firewall’ filters incoming traffic, allowing only specific types to access the DMZ.

• The ‘inner firewall’ monitors outgoing traffic from the DMZ and blocks unauthorized access to the internal network.

Single-firewall design:

• Uses only one firewall deployed between the internal network and the DMZ.

• First, internet traffic reaches the firewall. Then, based on predefined rules, the firewall directs appropriate traffic to either the DMZ or the internal network.

Benefits of using a DMZ network

As you can imagine, based on what we’ve discussed so far, there are many benefits to using a demilitarized zone network. Still, three are especially significant: Enabling access control, preventing network reconnaissance, and blocking internet protocol spoofing.

The first one, enabling access control, involves regulating and monitoring incoming and outgoing traffic to ensure only authorized users and data can access your internal network. This is done, of course, to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

Preventing network reconnaissance helps companies conceal the details of their internal networks from potential attackers. This protection is crucial because it stops attackers from gathering information about the network’s structure and vulnerabilities.

Last but not least, blocking IP spoofing ensures that malicious entities cannot disguise their identity to gain unauthorized access and launch cyber attacks. This is essential for maintaining the integrity of network communications and preventing security breaches.

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Why are DMZs important?

DMZ networks are crucial for enhancing network security by creating that additional layer between an organization’s internal network and external networks. By isolating specific services, such as web and email servers, from the internal network, they reduce the risk of broader breaches if these services are compromised. So, by acting as a buffer zone, DMZ networks, often implemented through a dedicated DMZ server, provide an extra obstacle for attackers, improving an organization’s overall security posture.

Examples of DMZs

Here are a few demilitarized zone network examples that can help you better understand how they can boost an organization’s cybersecurity.

Web servers

These servers host websites and web applications and act as the interface for online services that interact with external networks. By placing them in a DMZ, organizations can allow access to web content while reducing the risk of direct attacks on internal networks.

FTP servers

FTP servers, commonly employed for transferring files across networks, frequently store confidential information. Including them in a DMZ network allows external users to securely access files without jeopardizing the security of the internal network.

DNS servers

DNS servers are essential for internet communication, translating domain names into IP addresses. Putting them in a DMZ network can help prevent DNS attacks and reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access to sensitive network resources.

Proxy servers

When placed between clients and external servers in a DMZ architecture, proxy servers allow organizations to control and monitor internet traffic, safeguarding internal resources from potential threats by avoiding direct exposure.

VoIP servers

VoIP servers, which enable voice communication over the internet, are placed in a DMZ to ensure the security and reliability of voice services while shielding internal networks from unauthorized access and potential cyber-attacks.

How a password manager fits in the context of DMZ networks

Using a DMZ network to host various services and data is a great way to boost your organization’s cybersecurity. However, it’s not the only step you should take. Being cyber secure involves effectively addressing many challenges associated with keeping things private. For instance, while you can place email servers in the DMZ, it doesn’t mean individual company emails will be fully protected from potential hacks and data breaches.

To solve this problem, you’ll need to utilize other tools. For instance, a robust password manager like NordPass offers advanced encryption and secure storage for your email account credentials. It also includes features such as the Password Generator and Data Breach Scanner, which help create strong, unique passwords for each email account and allow you to check if your email credentials have been compromised in a data breach.

Developing a DMZ network is not the end of the line. It’s just a part—albeit very significant—of improving an organization’s security posture. Therefore, if you want to ensure that your company is well protected against cyber threats, you also need to use other solutions, like password managers, to further enhance your cybersecurity strategy.

Here at Nord Security, we take great pride in the fact that we offer a wide range of quality cybersecurity products and services, including NordPass and NordVPN. Each product we deliver has its own identity and is developed by a dedicated team, making it feel like each is a unique division within the company.

This actually allows us to try something a bit out of the ordinary — right now, the NordPass team will give an honest review of Nord Security’s latest product — Saily. Why? Because we’re not shy about critiquing our colleagues’ work. In fact, by sharing constructive criticism, we can all better understand where we stand, which helps us deliver an excellent experience for our users. So, let’s get started.

First things first — what is Saily?

Saily is an eSIM application that allows users to switch between mobile carriers and plans on their devices without dealing with any physical SIM cards. In other words, it enables you to activate a cellular data plan, just like with a traditional SIM card, but without having to buy or insert a new card.

Since no physical SIM cards are involved and everything happens in the app, Saily lets you quickly compare and select data plans from different vendors, so you don’t have to sort through a bunch of SIM card packages and plan details. Basically, it’s meant to be a quick and easy way to switch your mobile carrier whenever you like.

Why would you want to use this app?

While the description itself might already give you some ideas about how Saily could be helpful to you, we will now explore some of the key benefits in more detail.

Saily is designed for anyone traveling to a different country, but it’s especially useful for frequent travelers like business professionals and globetrotters. With Saily, you can keep your phone number and use the app to get as much cellular data as you need during your trip.

For those who need to stay connected while traveling, Saily eliminates the hassle of switching SIM cards or paying for costly international roaming plans. So, for global sales managers, for example, it’s an affordable way to stay in touch with clients and teams almost anywhere they are at the moment. For world travelers, it’s a way to get internet data for maps and guides, helping them make the most of their trips.

How does Saily work?

We were really impressed by how user-friendly the app is. Creating your account is incredibly simple and takes less than a minute. But the best part is how quickly you can switch mobile carriers and choose a plan — it’s just as fast!

The way it works is you browse the list of countries or use the search feature to find a specific one, compare the carriers and plans for that location, pick the one that suits you best, and you’re good to go.

Saily is compatible with both iOS and Android, so you can download the app from the AppStore or Google Play in no time. If you have any service-related questions, there’s a 24/7 customer support chat ready to help. However, the app is so intuitive and easy to use that you’ll probably never need customer support for app-related issues — perhaps only for specific carrier questions.

What about the price of Saily?

According to user feedback from multiple platforms, Saily is among the most cost-effective eSIM apps on the market, offering great value.

First, Saily is available in more than 150 countries and territories, including the United States, Brazil, Australia, Japan, Turkey, and China. Creating a Saily account is free, and the price of your plan depends on the country, carrier, and plan you choose. The most affordable plans start at just $2.49.

Speaking of data plans, Saily offers several options for the carriers in each country. You can choose anything from 1GB for 7 days to 20GB for 30 days, depending on your needs. For payment, you can choose from various options like credit or debit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and PayPal.

Quick summary

• Functionality

  Changing mobile carriers and selecting different data plans on a device

• Plans

  Multiple data plans, ranging from 1GB/7 days to 20GB/30 days

• Cost

  Starting at $1.99

• Countries

  150+

• Compatibility

  iOS, Android

• Support

  24/7 live chat via the app

• Payment method

  Credit or debit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and PayPal

• Our score

  4.5/5

Saily is an app that does exactly what it is supposed to do. It lets you switch mobile carriers quickly and use data plans to avoid high roaming costs. This means you can access the internet without a hitch, wherever you are. The app is incredibly user-friendly and requires no expert knowledge to get started.

One drawback is that Saily doesn’t offer unlimited data plans for now, so if you’re traveling for more than 30 days or use a lot of data, you might need to buy additional cellular data plans. We hope this will be addressed in the future, but despite this limitation, Saily is an almost perfect app that delivers on its promise. We’re really proud of the team behind it and are excited to see Saily become the next big product in the Nord Security lineup.

Give it a try and form your own opinion

While our Saily review can give you quite a good understanding of what the app does and how it works, there’s nothing quite like experiencing it for yourself. That’s why we suggest you go to the App Store or Google Play, download and install the Saily app on your device, and try it on your next trip. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Also, while creating a password for your Saily account, remember to make it unique and strong. Consider using NordPass to generate the password and safely store it, along with all your other passwords and passkeys. For more information, visit www.nordpass.com.

How does the principle of least privilege work?

Technically speaking, the principle of least privilege, which is deeply embedded in the Zero Trust security philosophy, works by simply limiting a user’s (employees) access rights to certain data, applications, resources, and systems — leaving the user with the least amount of privileges that are needed to do their job. However, before the least access principle can be applied in a business setting, it is critical to first assess user roles and responsibilities, in other words, to pinpoint which access rights and privileges are essential for which users. Once the analysis is complete and users are assigned their appropriate access rights, the next step is the continuous management of these permissions. After all, employees come and go, roles change, and so access rights have to be adjusted accordingly.

Why is the principle of least privilege important?

Let’s look at a hypothetical situation. Say an HR employee has access to the human resources management system to update employee records. But if they also have access rights to access the IT infrastructure, which are not essential for their HR-related tasks, the risk of a full-blown data breach increases significantly in the event their account is compromised.

The hypothetical above showcases the principle of least privilege benefits, which include:

• Reduce the potential attack surface: Limiting user access privileges means fewer opportunities for bad actors to exploit those privileges.

• Minimize the impact of exploits: Even if a hacker can gain unauthorized access to the user’s account, the security principle of least privilege confines the possible damage.

• Come closer to adhering to regulatory frameworks such as GDPR and HIPAA: Regulatory frameworks such as GDPR and HIPAA require strict access controls. By applying PoLP and ensuring users have access only to the information and system essential for their tasks, an organization can get closer to being compliant with various regulations.

• Improve security within the hybrid work environment: In a hybrid work environment, where employees access systems remotely, maintaining strict access controls becomes even more important. Implementing the principle of least privilege ensures that the security risks associated with remote access are reduced significantly.

Zero Trust vs Least Privilege

Zero Trust is a cybersecurity concept built on another simple idea: never trust, always verify. Unlike the traditional security frameworks, Zero Trust Security assumes that threats can come from within as well as outside the network.

At its core, Zero Trust embodies the principle of least privilege by enforcing strict access controls and permissions. Every access or connection request, regardless of origin, is treated as untrusted until verified otherwise. This stringent verification process is an extension of PoLP’s main idea — to provide users with only the necessary access levels.

In practice, Zero Trust treats every access request as if it’s the first request coming from an untrusted network. Each request is always re-authenticated regardless of previous requests or connections. In this sense, you can think of Zero Trust as a dynamic framework while PoLP can be considered static because it provides users with specific access rights that remain the same unless adjusted.

To make the distinction between Zero Trust and PoLP clearer, let’s imagine a high-end office building. In this case, Zero Trust would be the foundation of the building’s security system, which requires employees, regardless of their position, to use an access card to enter the office building and other facilities. The principle of least privilege, in this scenario, could be likened to the specific programming of access cards based on the employee’s role: for instance, providing the IT staff with access to server rooms, while not granting the same privileges to, say, the marketing team.

What is Privilege Creep?

Privilege creep is a term that refers to a user that gradually accumulates more access rights than are required to execute their function. Privilege creeps most often come into being due to role changes that do not trigger an adjustment concerning access privileges. When thinking about organizational cybersecurity, privilege creeps pose a serious risk where unauthorized access to a single account could lead to an enterprise-wide data breach.

Here are best practices when it comes to the principle of least privilege, helping to prevent privilege creeps from materializing:

• Implement role-based access controls: Clearly define roles and associated permissions to make sure access rights are granted based on the necessities of the job.

• Conduct regular access reviews: Schedule periodic reviews of user privileges to identify and rectify any discrepancies or excessive access rights.

• Enforce a Zero-Trust security approach: Adopt a zero-trust policy where no user is trusted by default. Verify every access request, regardless of the user’s position within the organization.

• Make use of automated tools: Leverage automation for managing access rights. Tools like Privileged Access Management (PAM) systems can help in monitoring and controlling access rights efficiently.

• Promote security awareness: Educate employees about the risks of privilege creep and the importance of adhering to cyber security protocols.

By proactively managing user permissions and educating employees, you can significantly mitigate the risk of privilege creep and enhance your organization’s overall security posture.

How to Implement the Least Privilege Principle in Your Organization

Adopting the principle of least privilege in your organization can be a lengthy process; however, the juice is well worth the squeeze. Once your organization operates under PoLP, the potential attack surface will shrink significantly. Here are a few best practices when it comes to the implementation of PoLP:

• Define access requirements clearly: Before adopting the principle of least privileges in your organization, you need to have a clear understanding of the data access needs of various roles within the organization.

• Implement Role-based access control (RBAC): Once you have a clear understanding of access requirements, setting up RBAC will be a lot easier. You’ll need to create roles based on job functions and assign permissions to these roles rather than for individual users.

• Utilize Just-In-Time (JIT) privilege access: Enhance security by granting time-limited privileges on a need-to-use basis. Establishing JIT access privileges will restrict the window of opportunity for access to sensitive data, minimizing the risk of insider threats or external breaches that would exploit user access privileges.

• Enforce Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and password policies: Strengthen the authentication processes by establishing MFA as an additional layer of security next to company-wide password policies. MFA ensures that even if the password of a critical account is compromised, the attackers will not have a chance to access it as they will not have another authentication factor required.

• Implement system monitoring: Establish surveillance of system and user activities to quickly identify and respond to abnormal access patterns or potential security incidents.

How can NordPass help?

These days, when access points seem to multiply as fast as potential security threats, adopting the principle of least privilege within a business setting should be a no-brainer. PoLP implementation can reduce, quite significantly, the organization’s attack surface and generally improve overall cybersecurity. There’s also the added benefit of coming closer to compliance with various regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA or GDPR.

While the adoption of PoLP can be challenging, there are tools that can make this a lot easier and NordPass Enterprise is one of them. It’s an enterprise-grade password manager that’s built on the principle of the Zero-Knowledge architecture and is equipped with the XChaCha20 encryption algorithm.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. NordPass’s integration with Single Sign-On (SSO) is a key asset in adopting PoLP. By allowing users to use a single set of credentials to access multiple resources, SSO simplifies authentication and enhances security. NordPass Enterprise is compatible with major identity providers such as Microsoft Azure AD, MS ADFS, and Okta. This centralized management system is effective in preventing unauthorized access and minimizing potential security breaches by assigning user access based on specific roles.

NordPass also helps organizations in managing user access effectively. It allows administrators to assign, revoke, or modify user access to login credentials, personal information, payment card data, and other sensitive data according to specific needs. This flexibility, powered by the Activity log feature, is critical when adopting PoLP. Thanks to this functionality, you can easily adjust access rights in response to changes in roles or employment status.

Learn more about how NordPass Enterprise can benefit your organization’s overall security strategy by visiting the official NordPass Enterprise website.