. Compensating Controls for Network Security Vulnerabilities

Identified Ports and Protocols:

• Port 22 (TCP):SSH (Secure Shell) – Used for secure remote access to servers.
• Port 25 (TCP):SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) – Used for sending emails.
• Port 53 (TCP & UDP):DNS (Domain Name System) – Translates domain names to IP addresses.
• Port 80 (TCP):HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) – Used for standard web traffic (unsecured).
• Port 8080 (TCP):Alternative HTTP port – Used for web traffic, may be unencrypted.

Compensating Controls:

Since the malware exploits these ports, here are some compensating controls to mitigate the risk:

• Port Hardening:
  • Port 22:Limit access to SSH using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and restrict access to authorized IPs.
  • Port 25:Implement strong spam filters and Sender Policy Framework (SPF) to prevent email spoofing.
  • Port 53:Use DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) to add encryption and prevent DNS spoofing attacks.
• Web Server Security:
  • Port 80 & 8080:For web servers, enforce HTTPS (port 443) for all communication, ensuring encryption.
  • Patch Management:Keep web server software updated to address vulnerabilities.
  • Web Application Firewalls (WAF):Deploy WAFs to filter malicious traffic targeting web applications.
• Network Segmentation:Segment your network to isolate critical systems and limit the attack surface.
• Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS):Deploy IDS/IPS to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity.
• Endpoint Security:Install endpoint security software on all devices to detect and prevent malware infections.

Budgetary Considerations:

• Open-sourcesolutions exist for many of these controls, making them more cost-effective for smaller teams.
• Prioritizecontrols based on risk. Securing critical ports (e.g., 22) might be more crucial than others.
• Focus on freesecurity awareness training for staff to identify phishing attempts and social engineering tactics often used to spread malware.

2. Firewall Advantages and Disadvantages

Hardware Firewalls:

• Advantages:Dedicated security appliance, faster performance, better for high-traffic networks.
• Disadvantages:Higher upfront cost, limited scalability, requires physical maintenance.

Software Firewalls:

• Advantages:Lower cost, easier to deploy and manage, scalable.
• Disadvantages:Relies on system resources, can impact performance on resource-constrained machines.

Cloud Firewalls:

• Advantages:Highly scalable, centrally managed, eliminates hardware maintenance.
• Disadvantages:Reliant on internet connectivity, potential vendor lock-in.

Choosing the Right Firewall:

Information Needed for Recommendation:

• Network Size and Complexity:Larger networks might benefit from dedicated hardware firewalls.
• Security Needs:Highly sensitive data might require advanced features offered by some firewalls.
• Budget:Hardware firewalls have a higher upfront cost, while cloud firewalls might have ongoing subscription fees.
• Technical Expertise:Managing a hardware firewall might require specialized skills compared to cloud-based solutions.
• Scalability:Consider future growth and choose a firewall that can adapt.

By evaluating these factors, you can recommend the most suitable firewall solution for a specific business.