Network management includes all of the tools, processes, and procedures that are used to monitor, configure, and maintain an organization’s network infrastructure. Network management systems continuously poll network elements to improve reliability, performance and security of the network. Here we discuss what network management is, and demonstrate the importance of an integrated network security solution.
Network management solutions deal with all aspects of a network, such as:
Networks are managed via a centralized network management solution. This solution is responsible for monitoring the state of the network and taking action to improve network security and performance.
It accomplishes this by periodically polling devices on the network for data of interest. After collecting this data, the management station processes the collected information to determine the current state of the network as a whole and the individual devices connected to it. Based on this information, the network management platform can take action to correct issues or otherwise ensure the performance and security of the network.
Network management is a solution that bridges the gaps between various vendors, devices, and environments. In order to achieve the visibility needed, network management platforms use vendor-neutral protocols like the simple network management protocol (SNMP) to communicate with all systems on the network. Another option is to gather information from an agent installed on the device.
Network management consists of a variety of different tasks. The ISO Telecommunications Management Network model breaks network management tasks into five categories:
Each of these categories includes a number of different sub-tasks. For example, network security management incorporates tasks like the deployment of next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) and implementing encryption of sensitive data in the corporate network.
Network management solutions are designed to provide an organization with a deeper and more granular level of visibility and control into their corporate network. This increased control provides a number of benefits to the business including:
Network functionality needs to be integrated into an organization’s IT and security infrastructure to be effective. Check Point security solutions provide a number of features to assist with network management, including:
Check Point NGFWs are an industry-leading solution for network security as shown by the 2020 Gartner Network Firewall Magic Quadrant. To learn more about Check Point’s unified cybersecurity platform and how it can improve visibility, security, and automation of a corporate network, you’re welcome to request a free demo of Check Point’s R81 Automated Cybersecurity Platform.