what are two layer 2 security best practices

Best Security practices to protect layer 2

• • Hardcode access ports as "switchport mode access" and trunk ports as "switchport mode trunk".
• • Administratively shutdown all the unused switch interfaces, using "shutdown" interface command. Never enable a...
• • Assign unused interfaces to a VLAN which is not in use.
• • Disable DTP on every trunk using "switchport nonegotiate"...

Full Answer

What are the best practices for implementing Layer 2 network security?

To conclude this chapter, a list of best practices is presented here for implementing, managing, and maintaining secure Layer 2 network: Manage the switches in a secure manner. For example, use SSH, authentication mechanism, access list, and set privilege levels.

What is layer 2 security on switches?

This chapter describes Layer 2 security basics and security features on switches available to combat network security threats. These threats result from weaknesses in Layer 2 of the OSI model—the data-link layer. Switches act as arbiters to forward and control all the data flowing across the network.

What if layer 2 is compromised on a Cisco switch?

Applying first-class security measures to the upper layers (Layers 3 and higher) does not benefit your network if Layer 2 is compromised. Cisco switches offer a wide range of security features at Layer 2 to protect the network traffic flow and the devices themselves.

Is layer 2 The Weakest Link in a network?

Network security is only as strong as the weakest link, and Layer 2 is no exception. Applying first-class security measures to the upper layers (Layers 3 and higher) does not benefit your network if Layer 2 is compromised.

Which two Layer 2 security best practices would help prevent VLAN hopping attacks?

Which two Layer 2 security best practices would help prevent VLAN hopping attacks? (Choose two.) Change the native VLAN number to one that is distinct from all user VLANs and is not VLAN 1. Change the management VLAN to a distinct VLAN that is not accessible by regular users.

What is Layer 2 in cyber security?

Layer 2 Networks refers to the second layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model, which is the data link layer. Layer 2 Network is the link layer (second-lowest layer) in the TCP/IP network model, just above the physical layer. Layer 2 provides two important functions in the OSI model.

What are the most common Layer 2 attacks and how do you mitigate them?

7 Popular Layer 2 AttacksOverview. ... Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Attacks. ... Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) Attacks. ... Media Access Control (MAC) Spoofing. ... Content Addressable Memory (CAM) Table Overflows. ... Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP)/Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) Reconnaissance. ... Virtual LAN (VLAN) Hopping.More items...•

What Layer 2 protocol can present a security risk when enabled on an untrusted interface?

DHCP Snooping It acts as a firewall between the trusted DHCP server and the untrusted hosts. It can rate limits the trusted and untrusted traffic from hosts.

What are the Layer 2 protocols?

Layer 2 protocols or network L2 protocols are a list of communication protocols used by Layer 2 devices (such as network interface cards (NIC), switches, multiport bridges, etc.) to transfer data in a wide area network, or between one node to another in a local area network.

What is meant by Layer 2?

Layer 2 is equivalent to the link layer (the lowest layer) in the TCP/IP network model. Layer2 is the network layer used to transfer data between adjacent network nodes in a wide area network or between nodes on the same local area network.

What are common Layer 2 attacks?

ARP Poisoning and DHCP snooping are layer-2 attacks, where as IP Snooping, ICMP attack, and DoS attack with fake IPs are layer-3 attacks. IP address spoofing: IP address spoofing is a technique that involves replacing the IP address of an IP packet's sender with another machine's IP address.

Why is Layer 2 considered as the weakest link in securing a network?

Security is only as strong as the weakest link in the system, and Layer 2 is considered to be that weak link. This is because LANs were traditionally under the administrative control of a single organization. We inherently trusted all persons and devices connected to our LAN.

What is Layer 3 security?

The Layer 3 approach to security looks at the entire network as a whole including edge devices (firewalls, routers, web servers, anything with public access), endpoints such as workstations along devices connected to the network including mobile phones to create an effective plan for security management.

What is a Layer 2 firewall?

A transparent firewall, also known as a bridge firewall, is a Layer 2 application that installs easily into an existing network without modifying the Internet Protocol (IP) address. The transparent firewall is not a routed hop but instead acts as a bridge by inspecting and moving network frames between interfaces.

What is Layer 2 of the OSI model?

Layer 2 of The OSI Model: Data Link Layer provides the functional and procedural means to transfer data between network entities and to detect and possibly correct errors that may occur in the physical layer.

Which Layer 2 interfaces can be used to switch traffic between VLANs?

A Layer 2 trunk interface enables you to configure a single logical interface to represent multiple VLANs on a physical interface.

What is L1 L2 L3 in networking?

● Bits arrive on wire → physical layer (L1) ● Packets must be delivered across links and. local networks → datalink layer (L2) ● Packets must be delivered between networks. for global delivery → network layer (L3)

What is the difference between layer 1 and Layer 2?

It's quite simple — you connect a road to it in order to offload the traffic. This is exactly the difference between Layer 1 and Layer 2 blockchain networks. Layer 1 is the main blockchain network in charge of on-chain transactions, while Layer 2 is the connected network in charge of off-chain transactions.

What are Layer 2 attacks?

ARP Poisoning and DHCP snooping are layer-2 attacks, where as IP Snooping, ICMP attack, and DoS attack with fake IPs are layer-3 attacks. IP address spoofing: IP address spoofing is a technique that involves replacing the IP address of an IP packet's sender with another machine's IP address.

What are the layers of cyber security?

The Seven Layers Of CybersecurityMission-Critical Assets. This is data that is absolutely critical to protect. ... Data Security. ... Endpoint Security. ... Application Security. ... Network Security. ... Perimeter Security. ... The Human Layer.

What is Layer 2 security?

This chapter describes Layer 2 security basics and security features on switches available to combat network security threats. These threats result from weaknesses in Layer 2 of the OSI model—the data-link layer. Switches act as arbiters to forward and control all the data flowing across the network. The current trend is for network security to be solidified through the support of switch security features that build feature-rich, high-performance, and optimized networks. The chapter examines the integrated security features available on Cisco catalyst switches to mitigate threats that result from the weaknesses in Layer 2 of the OSI model. The chapter also provides guidelines and recommendations intended to help you understand and configure the Layer 2 security features available on Cisco switches to build robust networks.

When is a summary of Layer 2 best practices provided?

A summary of Layer 2 best practices is provided toward the end of the chapter.

Is Layer 2 a weak link?

Network security is only as strong as the weakest link, and Layer 2 is no exception. Applying first-class security measures to the upper layers (Layers 3 and higher) does not benefit your network if Layer 2 is compromised.