How does network segmentation limit the spread of malware?

Network segmentation is a cybersecurity practice of dividing a computer network into smaller, isolated segments or subnetworks. By implementing network segmentation, organizations can contain malware and prevent its spread across systems in the following ways:

1. Isolation: By segmenting the network into smaller parts, if one segment gets infected with malware, it is contained within that segment and cannot easily spread to other parts of the network.

2. Access Control: Network segmentation allows for finer control over who can access which parts of the network. By restricting access to only authorized users and devices, the potential for malware spreading is reduced.

3. Micro-Segmentation: This involves dividing the network into even smaller segments to enhance security. With micro-segmentation, each application or workload can exist in its own segmented area, further limiting the impact of malware.

4. Traffic Monitoring: By segmenting the network, it becomes easier to monitor and analyze the traffic within each segment. Unusual network behavior or malware activity can be detected more easily within a segmented environment.

5. Containment: In the event that malware does breach one segment, network segmentation helps in isolating and containing the infection, allowing security teams to respond to the incident more effectively without risking the entire network.

Overall, network segmentation is a proactive security measure that limits the lateral movement of malware within a network, reduces the attack surface, and helps in preventing widespread infections.