In the modern business environment, cybersecurity threats are growing more sophisticated, with attackers exploiting any gaps in a company’s defences. While many organisations believe they are protected by deploying firewalls and monitoring traffic rules, this approach often creates a false sense of security. The reality is that these measures, while useful, are insufficient when there’s a glaring blind spot: a complete lack of visibility at both the traffic and infrastructure levels.

This article explores why this oversight is a significant cybersecurity failure, how traffic analytics can provide value, and why real-time metrics from routers, switches, and access points are indispensable for a robust security posture.

The Misconception | Firewalls Are Enough

Most businesses rely heavily on firewalls as the first line of defence, configuring and monitoring rules to block malicious traffic. While firewalls are an essential tool in the cybersecurity arsenal, they are not a complete solution.

Limited Visibility
Firewalls only monitor and control traffic passing through their configured rules. They do not provide insights into what is happening within the internal network. For example:
- An unauthorised device plugged into an office switch goes undetected.
- A compromised node performing lateral movements remains invisible to the firewall.
Static Rules vs Dynamic Threats
Attackers adapt and evolve, often leveraging internal nodes to bypass firewalls. Static rule sets cannot respond dynamically to suspicious activity occurring at the infrastructure level.

Traffic Analytics | A Useful but Incomplete Solution

Some organisations deploy traffic analytics tools to gain better insight into the flow of data across their networks. These tools can provide valuable information, such as identifying abnormal traffic patterns or detecting potential breaches.

How Traffic Analytics Works

Traffic analytics tools collect and analyse network data using methods like:

NetFlow/IPFIX: Captures data about the flow of packets through network devices.
Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): Examines packet contents for signs of malicious activity.
Anomaly Detection: Uses AI or ML to identify unusual behaviours that deviate from a baseline.

While traffic analytics improves situational awareness, it does not address visibility at the device level. For example, a compromised switch or rogue access point might still operate undetected, even as it facilitates malicious activity.

The most glaring deficiency in many cybersecurity strategies is the lack of real-time metrics and visibility at the infrastructure level, including routers, switches, and access points.

Key Failures

No Real-Time Metrics
Infrastructure devices generate critical operational data—CPU usage, port statistics, error rates, etc.—that could provide early warnings of threats or risks. Most businesses fail to collect and monitor this data in real time.
No Inventory Mapping
Basic inventory, such as mapping switch ports to devices or identifying unauthorised nodes, is often missing. This lack of information makes it difficult to:
- Identify which devices are legitimate.
- Spot rogue devices.
- Determine the specific port or access point a malicious device is connected to.
Failure to Act at the Infrastructure Level
Current strategies focus on blocking malicious nodes via firewalls, but this approach is reactive and leaves the node operational within the network. Infrastructure-level actions, such as disabling a compromised port or deactivating an access point, provide a more immediate and effective response.

Why Infrastructure-Level Monitoring is Critical

Detecting Nodes at Risk or Unauthorized Devices
Real-time metrics help identify nodes behaving abnormally or those that should not exist on the network. For instance, a rogue device generating unusual traffic could be identified through port monitoring and immediately disabled.
Proactive Security
Infrastructure-level monitoring enables businesses to:
- Detect vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
- Shut down compromised devices, preventing further escalation.
Enhanced Inventory Management
A complete inventory of devices, correlated with real-time metrics, helps maintain network integrity. This ensures that:
- Only authorised devices operate on the network.
- Devices are properly segmented to reduce exposure.

The Shift Away from Basic Infrastructure Monitoring

The current focus on server and application monitoring has led to the neglect of fundamental infrastructure components. Without monitoring routers, switches, and access points, businesses lose visibility into the very foundation of their network. This oversight:

Enables Threat Actors: Attackers can operate freely within the network, moving laterally and exfiltrating data without detection.
Delays Incident Response: Security teams waste time tracking down rogue devices manually.
Increases Breach Risks: Vulnerable or outdated devices often serve as entry points for attackers.

How to Correct the Problem

Deploy Infrastructure Monitoring Tools
Use tools that collect real-time metrics from switches, routers, and access points. These tools should integrate with existing traffic analytics for a holistic view.
Build and Maintain a Comprehensive Inventory
Automate inventory management by mapping devices to switch ports and access points. This ensures that every node on the network is accounted for.
Implement Rapid Response Protocols
Equip security teams with the ability to disable compromised nodes at the infrastructure level. This goes beyond blacklisting and prevents further misuse of the node.
Adopt a Unified Approach
Combine traffic analytics, infrastructure monitoring, and real-time inventory into a single solution. Fusion’s SD-WAN with advanced analytics, for instance, provides both granular traffic visibility and infrastructure control, ensuring no blind spots exist.

Wrap

Relying solely on firewalls and basic traffic analytics is not enough to protect modern businesses from sophisticated threats. The lack of infrastructure-level visibility creates a dangerous blind spot that attackers can exploit. By prioritising real-time metrics, comprehensive inventory management, and proactive responses at the infrastructure level, businesses can close this gap and build a robust cybersecurity strategy that leaves no room for intrusions.

Read about Fusion’s SD-WAN advanced traffic analytics:

https://hubandspoke.amastelek.com/revolutionizing-network-visibility-performance-fusion-broadbands-illuminate-antares-platforms

⚙️The Blind Spot in Business Cybersecurity | A Lack of Network Visibility 🤓