Infrastructure & Network Security

Network Device Configuration Review

  • May 9, 2025
  • 0

Sherlocked Security – Network Device Configuration Review

Secure the Core: Harden Switches, Routers & Firewalls Against Misconfigurations

1. Statement of Work (SOW)

Service Name: Network Device Configuration Review
Client Type: Enterprises, MSSPs, Critical Infrastructure, Healthcare
Service Model: Audit & Baseline Assessment / Secure Configuration Review
Compliance Alignment: CIS Benchmarks, NIST 800-53, PCI-DSS 4.x, ISO 27001

Devices Covered:

  • Core & Edge Routers
  • Layer 2/3 Switches
  • Firewalls (stateful/NGFW)
  • Load Balancers
  • VPN & SD-WAN Appliances
  • Wireless Controllers

2. Our Approach

[Config Collection] → [Baseline Comparison] → [CIS/NIST Mapping] → [Vuln Exposure Review] → [Remediation Plan]

3. Methodology

  • Device Inventory & Role Identification
  • Config Backup & Collection (via CLI/API/SNMP/SCP)
  • Baseline Comparison against known-good configurations
  • CIS Benchmark Mapping for vendor-specific device types
  • AAA & Access Control Review (e.g., TACACS+, RADIUS)
  • Management Plane Hardening (SNMP, SSH, HTTP/S, Telnet status)
  • Routing & Switching Protocol Review (OSPF, BGP, STP, VLANs)
  • Firewall & ACL Policy Audit
  • Password Policy & Enable Secrets Review
  • Logging, NTP, and Time Sync Review
  • Firmware & Patch Level Validation

4. Deliverables

  • Device Configuration Compliance Report
  • Gap Analysis vs CIS/NIST/PCI
  • Device-by-Device Security Findings
  • Secure Configuration Hardening Guide
  • Risk Prioritization Matrix
  • Remediation & Validation Recommendations
  • Long-term Configuration Management SOP

5. Client Requirements

  • Device list (hostname, IP, model, role)
  • Configuration exports or API access
  • Existing network/security policies
  • Access to SNMP/CLI or management interfaces
  • Compliance objectives (e.g., PCI, NIST)

6. Tools & Stack

  • Parsing & Review: Nipper, RANCID, Oxidized, Batfish
  • Compliance Mapping: CIS-CAT, Nessus Audit Files
  • Automation: Ansible, Python Scripts
  • Device Types: Cisco IOS/NX-OS, Juniper, Fortinet, Palo Alto, Arista, HP/Aruba

7. Engagement Lifecycle

  1. Scope & Inventory
  2. Config Collection
  3. Baseline & Policy Mapping
  4. Security Gap Identification
  5. Compliance Mapping (CIS, NIST)
  6. Hardening Recommendations
  7. Reporting & SOP Delivery

8. Why Sherlocked?

Feature Advantage
Deep Vendor Expertise Covers Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto, Juniper
Compliance Focused Aligned with CIS Benchmarks and NIST controls
Automation Ready Enables future config drift detection
Prioritized Remediation Risk-rated, actionable hardening steps

9. SOP Highlights

  • Schedule & automate config backups
  • Compare against hardened baselines
  • Disable unused services (Telnet, HTTP)
  • Enforce role-based AAA
  • Verify time sync and logging
  • Document and approve all config changes
  • Monitor config drift monthly/quarterly

10. Configuration Review Checklist

Before Engagement

  • [ ] List of devices and roles
  • [ ] Current configuration exports
  • [ ] Access method (SSH/API/SNMP)
  • [ ] Compliance requirements

During Engagement

  • [ ] Config parsing and baseline checks
  • [ ] AAA, SNMP, ACL, routing protocol reviews
  • [ ] Patch and firmware level validation

After Engagement

  • [ ] Apply remediation steps
  • [ ] Update configuration templates
  • [ ] Monitor for config drift

Continuous Improvement

  • [ ] Implement config management (Ansible/RANCID)
  • [ ] Schedule periodic reviews
  • [ ] Tie into vulnerability management workflows
Network Architecture Review
Endpoint Detection & Response