COMPREHENSIVE APPROACHES TO THE PROTECTION OF MODERN CORPORATE NETWORKS

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive study and substantiation of the "Defense in Depth" strategy as a fundamental approach to ensuring the cybersecurity of modern corporate networks. At the core of this strategy lies the assumption that no single defense component is absolute, considering potential vulnerabilities, the possibility of policy bypass, and the unpredictable human factor. The research analyzes in detail the key advantages of layered defense. Using statistical data cited in reports from IBM, Verizon, et al., it is demonstrated that layered defense provides redundancy, where the failure of one component is compensated by others, creating a multiplicative blocking effect. This approach significantly increases the complexity and cost of an attack for malicious actors by 40-60% compared to single-layer systems. The model proposed in the article structures defense on three interconnected levels: technological, administrative, and human. The technological level is considered the instrumental foundation, which includes three zones: perimeter and network protection, endpoint protection, and data protection. The administrative level defines the organizational and regulatory framework. It includes security policies, identity and access management (IAM) with the principle of least privilege and multi-factor authentication, as well as monitoring and auditing. The human level analyzes the human factor, which is the cause of 74% of data breaches. The article argues that with a systematic approach, this vulnerable element is transformed into an effective "human firewall." All this leads to the conclusion that only a comprehensive combination of technological, administrative, and human measures within a unified "Defense in Depth" strategy can provide sustainable and cost-effective protection for corporate networks against modern cyber threats.