Network Segmentation for stronger, smarter security
Segment your network to strengthen security, reduce risk, and support compliance efforts
- Restrict access so users can reach only required resources
- Prevent attackers from moving laterally across your network
- Simplify compliance with regulatory standards
OVERVIEW
What is Network Segmentation?
Network segmentation means subdividing your network into areas with access permissions assigned to specific teams and employees. Unique security controls and network security policies limit lateral movement and unauthorized access to create a more secure and less risky environment. You can use network segmentation solutions to ensure employees, team members, and contractors access only the tools and resources they need to do their jobs, nothing else.
benefits
The benefits of Network Segmentation
Improve network efficiency
Segmentation reduces network traffic congestion by separating and managing traffic flows more effectively, helping devices stay responsive and ensuring optimal performance across all areas of the network.
Stop cyberattacks spreading
Segmenting separate areas also reduces your attack surface and limits the scale of attacks should they occur. This means any potential malware infection is restricted to just one segment and cannot spread to other parts of your network.
Secure every device
Harmful internet traffic can easily infiltrate network device, particularly those with weak defenses. Segmentation restricts movement across your network connections and can prevent malicious traffic from ever reaching these devices.
Make compliance simpler
Many frameworks like PCI DSS, ISO 27001 or HIPAA expect or recommend segmentation to protect sensitive data. Separating your networks makes it easier to meet requirements, prepare for audits, and avoid crippling non-compliance fines.
Seamless protection
All your security layers, finally working together
NordLayer connects cutting-edge features into one simple platform. That means less system switching. Less time wasted. Just world-class security that works from day one.
Smarter security starts with Network Segmentation
BEHIND THE SOLUTION
How Network Segmentation works
Network segmentation means dividing your infrastructure into smaller, isolated sections with controlled access. With NordLayer, you can set up segmentation easily, either by creating multiple Virtual Private Gateways for different teams or applying Cloud Firewall rules to define custom policies. This flexible approach helps you limit the lateral movement of threats and tailor security to your organization’s specific needs.
examples
Network Segmentation examples
Without Network Segmentation
- Data accessibility for unauthorized users
- Increased risk of data breach
- Reduced visibility and monitoring
With Network Segmentation
- Protect endpoint devices
- Reduced attack surface area
- Improve network performance
use cases
Network Segmentation use-cases
Understanding your organization’s needs is the first step toward implementing effective segmentation. Consider the data or resources you’re protecting, your users, and who needs access to them, as well as the security policies that will govern how each segment is controlled.
Ensuring your users have the correct access permissions is imperative to the success of network segmentation. It’s best practice to conduct a review of user needs. The privileges each have provided a directory of user roles, segments they require access to, and who is assigned full access rights—for example, your admins. Adding multi-factor authentication further strengthens security by verifying user identities before granting access. This practice applies to your whole network.
When you have one or more screening routers that act as a firewall, segmentation allows for the separation of the external network from the network perimeter and then the internal network. This approach helps control and monitor network connections, giving greater assurance that users have legitimate credentials and reasons to be accessing the network.
Assigning group user access permissions enables admins to embed teams into other groups, so they inherit the same access permissions. By applying clear segmentation policies from the start, segmenting user groups happens seamlessly without impacting other groups or taking up valuable resource time.
Segmenting customer data safeguards sensitive information. Usually separated based on use cases and the type of data collected, these segments also help control network traffic flowing to and from customer databases. Users will need a specific level of authorization to access the area of the network that holds this information.
OUR SOLUTION
Segment your network with NordLayer
You can choose between two flexible approaches: create multiple Virtual Private Gateways, each with a server with a dedicated IP address, so every gateway acts as a separate segment, or use our advanced Cloud Firewall to set multiple segmentation rules within a single Virtual Private Gateway.
Log in to the Control Panel
Access your NordLayer account to start configuring your network segmentation settings.
Create a Virtual Private Gateway
Set up a secure gateway with a server with a dedicated IP address to serve as your network segment.
Define firewall rules
Add custom firewall rules to segment access within the gateway, creating separate policies for different teams or users.
Our reputation
Why we believe businesses choose NordLayer
In Security Service Edge category
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15,000+
Businesses protected
10 min
Average time to deploy
40+
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Additional info
Frequently asked questions
Network segmentation prevents lateral movement across your infrastructure, reducing the risk of accidental data leaks from the inside and limiting damage if an external breach occurs.
There are two ways of segmenting your network: physical and virtual. Physical is a very secure method, but it comes with implementation challenges as each segment requires an individual internet connection, additional hardware, and a firewall. Virtual segmentation offers quick setup, easier management from a central Control Panel, and the flexibility to apply segmentation policies without additional physical infrastructure.
Different network segmentation tools and approaches can be used to divide and protect your infrastructure. Here are some of the most common types:
- VLAN segmentation — Create smaller network segments using IP addresses for separation, with all users virtually connected as if they were part of the same LAN. Network performance ensures threats do not spread beyond the Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN).
- Firewall segmentation — Implementing firewalls within a network segment reduces the surface area for attack and prevents threats from spreading further. It is considered an effective method, but it is highly complex and often costly.
- SDN segmentation — Software-defined network segmentation is great for automation and customization but focuses on greater policy creation than network visibility.
- Micro-segmentation — This method creates a segmented network by dividing data stores into secure segments based on individual workload levels and using allowlisting to block all local traffic except authorized users.
No, they’re not the same. Network segmentation is the practice of dividing a network into separate sections with specific access controls to limit who can reach certain resources and reduce security risks. A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a way to group devices together logically on the same physical network to segment traffic for performance or organizational reasons. While VLANs can be used as part of network segmentation, segmentation itself is a broader security strategy.
No, a VPN is not network segmentation. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure, encrypted connection between a user and a network over the internet. Network segmentation, on the other hand, divides a network into separate sections with specific access controls to isolate resources and limit threats. While VPNs help protect data in transit, segmentation controls access within the network itself.