Microsegmentation (network security): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Network security approach}}

'''Microsegmentation''' is a [[network security]] approach for separating and securing workloads in [[data center]]s and cloud deployments per machine.<ref>https://www.networkworld.com/article/3247672/what-is-microsegmentation-how-getting-granular-improves-network-security.html</ref><ref>https://www.nccoe.nist.gov/publication/1800-24/VolB/index.html</ref>

{{Tone|date=August 2025}}

'''Microsegmentation''' is a [[network security]] approach forthat separatingenables andsecurity securingarchitects workloadsto construct network security zones boundaries per machine in [[data center]]s and cloud deployments perin machineorder to segregate and secure workloads independently.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/3247672/what-is-microsegmentation-how-getting-granular-improves-network-security.html|title=What is microsegmentation? How getting granular improves network security|first=Ann|last=Bednarz|date=January 30, 2018|website=[[Network World]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nccoe.nist.gov/publication/1800-24/VolB/index.html|title=1 Summary — NIST SP 1800-24 documentation|website=www.nccoe.nist.gov}}</ref>

It is now also used on the client network as well as the data center network.

==Types of microsegmentation==

There are three main types of microsegmentation:

* '''Native OS host-based firewall segmentation''' employs OS firewalls to regulate network traffic between network segments. Instead of using a router or network firewalls or deploying agents, each host firewall is used to perform both auditing and enforcement, preventing attackers from moving laterally between network machines. While Native OS host-based firewalls can implement many segmentation schemes, including microsegmentation, only recent innovations in the space have made implementation and management achievable at scale.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/mono/10.1201/9781351210768-8/microsegmentation-dijiang-huang-ankur-chowdhary-sandeep-pisharody|title=Software-Defined Networking and Security|first1=Dijiang|last1=Huang|first2=Ankur|last2=Chowdhary|first3=Sandeep|last3=Pisharody|doi=10.1201/9781351210768-8}}</ref>

* '''Host-agent segmentation''': This style of microsegmentation makes use of endpoint-based agents. By having a centralized manager with access to all data flows, the difficulty of detecting obscure protocols or [[secure communication|encrypted communication]]s is mitigated.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=John |date=April 16, 2020 |title=How microsegmentation can limit the damage that hackers do |url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html |website=[[Network World]]}}</ref> The use of host-agent technology is commonly acknowledged as a powerful method of microsegmentation.<ref>https: name="auto"//www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref> Because infected devices act as hosts, a solid host strategy can prevent issues from manifesting in the first place. This software, however, must be installed on every host.<ref>https: name="auto"//www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref>

* '''Hypervisor segmentation''': In this implementation of microsegmentation, all traffic passes through a [[hypervisor]].<ref>https: name="auto"//www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref> Since hypervisor-level traffic monitoring is possible, existing [[firewall (computing)|firewall]]s can be used, and rules can be migrated to new hypervisors as instances are spun up and spun down.<ref>https: name="auto"//www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref> Hypervisor segmentation typically doesn't function with cloud environments, containers, or bare metal, which is a downside.<ref>https: name="auto"//www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref>

* '''Network segmentation''': This approach builds on the current setup by using tried-and-true techniques like [[access-control list]] (ACLs) for network segmentation.<ref>https: name="auto"//www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref>

==Benefits==

Microsegmentation allows defenders to thwart almost any attack methods by closing off attack vectors within [[internal networksnetwork]]s so that the attackers are stopped in their tracks.<ref>https://www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html <name="auto"/ref>

Microsegmentation in [[internet of things]] (IoT) environments can help businesses gain command over the increasing volume of [[lateral communication]] taking place between devices, which is currently unmanaged by perimeter-focused security measures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Violino |first=Bob |date=October 10, 2019 |title=Can microsegmentation help IoT security? |url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/3442753/iot-can-be-a-security-minefield-can-microsegmentation-help.html |website=[[Network World]]}}</ref>

==Challenges==

Despite its useful features, implementingImplementing and maintaining microsegmentation can be difficult.<ref>https: name="auto"//www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref> The first deployment is always the most challenging.<ref>https: name="auto"//www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref> Some applications may not be able to support microsegmentation, and the process of implementing microsegmentation may cause other problems.<ref>https: name="auto"//www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref>

Defining policies that meet the requirements of every internal system is another potential roadblock. Internal conflicts may occur as policies and their ramifications are considered and defined, making this a difficult and time-consuming process for certain adopters.<ref>https: name="auto"//www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref>

Network connection between high and low-sensitivity assets inside the same security boundary requires knowledge of which ports and protocols must be open and in which direction. Inadvertent network disruptions are a risk of sloppy implementation.<ref>https: name="auto"//www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref>

Defining policies that meet the requirements of every internal system is another potential roadblock. Internal conflicts may occur as policies and their ramifications are considered and defined, making this a difficult and time-consuming process for certain adopters.<ref>https://www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref>

Microsegmentation is widely compatible with environments running common operating systems including [[Linux]], [[Windows]], and [[MacOS]]. However, this is not the case for companies that rely on mainframes[[mainframe]]s or other outdated forms of technology.<ref>https: name="auto"//www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref>

Network connection between high and low-sensitivity assets inside the same security boundary requires knowledge of which ports and protocols must be open and in which direction. Inadvertent network disruptions are a risk of sloppy implementation.<ref>https://www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref>

To reap the benefits of microsegmentation despite its challenges, companies have developed solutions by using automation and self service.<ref name="JP">{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-698602|title=Israeli start-up company Zero Networks has raised $20.3 million|date=25 February 2022 }}</ref>

Microsegmentation is widely compatible with environments running common operating systems including [[Linux]], [[Windows]], and [[MacOS]]. However, this is not the case for companies that rely on mainframes or other outdated forms of technology.<ref>https://www.networkworld.com/article/3537672/microsegmentation-architecture-choices-and-how-they-differ.html</ref>

==References==