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Network Auditing Simplified with Juniper Apstra

Auditing or reviewing your network on a regular basis might assist you in keeping track of inventory and determining how well your network is doing. An audit will examine your network devices and health in depth, as well as other equipment for the following:

  • Security Vulnerabilities
  • Hardware Inventory
  • Software Inventory
  • Patch Management
  • Compliance

If your company operates in a regulated field, such as banking or healthcare, external auditors may be called in to evaluate your network. An internal audit should be completed first to guarantee that you are ready for an external audit.

The Role Apstra Plays

The Juniper Apstra System’s core principle is that optimal operations begin with the best design. With a single source of truth, continuous validation, advanced analytics, and root cause identification, the System connects the architect’s design to everyday operations. The platform improves efficiency and results by automating Day 2 operations and offering visibility and analytics, issue management, change management, compliance and audit, and maintenance and upgrades.

Getting Ready for Your Network Audit

It’s critical to ask basic questions and clearly define the scope of your network audit before you begin. Involve stakeholders and executives, as well as the managers of any impacted teams, to ensure the audit’s success. This will ensure that any queries they have are answered and that your audit is designed to achieve the intended outcomes.

Your network audit could be limited to a review of routers, switches, firewalls, and other network equipment. Servers and user PCs may also be included. You should also audit the programmes that are currently executing on your system. Knowing what has to be investigated and why will aid in defining the audit’s scope.

Network Auditing Tools

Several tools are available to assist with the audit. You may need to choose the proper combination of tools to satisfy your objectives because these tools execute different elements of the network audit function. You should also check your existing tools to see if they support network auditing.

Inventorying, creating and providing network diagrams, and generating reports are all possible with the right tools. Solarwinds, NetformX, and Open-AuditIT all have tools for network inventory, diagramming, and analysis.

Several network analyser programmes are available to assess and audit performance. Although Wireshark is one of the most popular tools, other options include Netflow and ManageEngine. In our essay on Diagnosing Mystery Network Issues, we go over some network analysis tools.

You want tools that will check your network and device configuration and indicate any issues for security evaluation. You might also be able to find tools to assist you in resolving any difficulties they uncover. Nipper and Nessus both offer security auditing software.

What to Look for In a Network Audit

  • Hardware Inventory
    • You can keep an up-to-date inventory of all of your gear by inspecting your network on a regular basis.
  • Software Inventory
    • It’s crucial to know what software is running on your devices, just as it is to know what hardware is running on your network.
  • Identify Security Vulnerabilities
    • Weak or missing passwords, unauthorised services, open permissions, and firewall or encryption flaws are all common risks.
  • Patch Management
    • As previously said, keeping track of your software inventory might help you figure out what needs to be patched. You might also see systems that need to be patched.
  • Compliance
    • Internal and external standards, as well as the requirements you may need to meet for an external audit, may be part of your business’s compliance.

Creating Your Post-Audit Report

After you’ve done your auditing tasks, you’ll need to document the audit’s results. This is frequently done in the form of a report, which may include network diagrams, charts, and inventory lists, among other things.

Your report should include provide suggestions for resolving the difficulties that have arisen. This could include a suggestion for a substantial hardware update, the removal of outdated software, or the repair of a faulty firewall.

It’s Better to Know

Network auditing can assist you in determining the current state of your network, hardware, and software. It could help you make key business or budget decisions. It may also reveal difficulties you were previously unaware of.

If you feel you could utilize Juniper Apstra for your organization, DS total solutions can provide the expertise for you. Get in touch with us today!

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