Common Uses of DMZ
A DMZ is a section of the corporate network that is separated from the rest of the organization’s systems. It’s used to host servers that interact with external users (including both those from the public Internet and untrusted third-party organizations) and could potentially be exploited by an attacker.
Some servers that are likely to reside in the DMZ include:
- Web servers
- Email servers
- DNS servers
- FTP servers
- Proxy servers
These servers provide services to external users and have a risk of being exploited by a malicious user. Separating them from the rest of the corporate network makes it more difficult for an attacker to pivot from a public-facing server to other, more valuable corporate resources.
Approaches to DMZ Implementation
DMZs host servers that could pose a threat to the rest of the private network due to their increased potential for exploitation by an attacker. An organization should identify those servers that provide public services and place them within the DMZ.
The DMZ is separated from the rest of the external network by a firewall. This could be implemented in one of two ways:
- Single Firewall: A single firewall with at least three network interfaces can be used to create a DMZ. One interface connects to the public network, the second to the DMZ, and the third to the internal corporate network. Separating the DMZ into a separate interface helps to isolate it and allows the company to limit its contact with the internal network based on firewall rules and access controls.
- Dual Firewalls: A DMZ can also be built using two distinct firewalls. The first firewall separates the DMZ from the public Internet, while the second divides the DMZ from the internal network. This design is more secure since it implements defense in depth, forcing the attacker to bypass two firewalls to reach the internal corporate network.
Importance of DMZ
The DMZ is an important component of a corporate network because it separates high-risk systems from high-value ones. A web server is a high-risk system for the organization because web applications commonly contain exploitable vulnerabilities that might give the attacker access to the server hosting them.
Isolating these systems from the rest of the corporate network makes sense to protect other corporate systems from these intruders.
As organizations implement zero trust network access (ZTNA), DMZs may become less vital as every application and system is isolated from every other one by firewalls and access controls. A zero trust architecture effectively places every part of the corporate network in its own DMZ, improving the layer of security of the network as a whole.
Best Practices for DMZ
To ensure that the DMZ is functioning properly and protecting the organization against potential threats, implement the following best practices:
- Dual-Firewall Protection: DMZs can be architected with a single firewall or dual firewalls. Using two firewalls reduces risk by forcing the attacker to defeat multiple firewalls to gain access to high-value systems within the corporate LAN.
- Implement Granular Access Controls: Organizations should implement access controls for external traffic entering and leaving the corporate network and flowing between it and the internal corporate LAN. Ideally, these will be least privilege access controls implemented as part of a zero trust security strategy.
- Apply Updates Promptly: DMZ firewalls are essential to protect the internal corporate network from potential intrusions from the DMZ. Organizations should regularly check for and apply firewall updates to ensure that any security gaps are closed before they can be exploited by an attacker.
- Perform Regular Vulnerability Assessments: In addition to patch management, security teams should also perform regular vulnerability scans and assessments to identify any security issues with their DMZ. In addition to unpatched systems, these could include configuration errors, overlooked intrusions, and anything else that could place the organization at risk.
Boost Security with AI-Powered Firewalls from Check Point
A DMZ is an important part of an organization’s security architecture that protects the rest of the corporate network against potential compromises of web servers and other public-facing services. However, the DMZ is only effective if it is protected by a firewall capable of blocking attackers from moving to the internal network.
This requires a next-generation firewall (NGFW), ideally versions that leverage the power of AI/ML engines to block zero day threats. Find out more about what to look for in a modern enterprise firewall with this buyer’s guide.
Check Point NGFWs are available as standalone solutions or as part of Harmony SASE. To find out more, feel free to sign up for a free demo of Check Point Quantum Force NGFW.
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