Re: Down with DHCP!!!!

[tandernam <tandernam () gmail com>]

As you original post has been discussed ad nauseam, I will limit my
reply to 2 lines.
We all (should) know that security through obfuscation is no security
at all. As such, your plan for implementing all IPs statically brings
no real benefit to the overall security of your network.

With regards to inventory, check out a piece of software called Asset
Navigator by Alloy Software.

-tander

On 2/17/06, gigabit () satx rr com <gigabit () satx rr com> wrote:
> ok, some background...
>
> i have transfered from network engineering to the information security
> group for my company, which is mid-sized with about 2000 employees
> across 90 locations (financial).
>
> the lessons learned from being in network engineering is that they are
> first and foremost concerned with maintaining the production
> environment.  the management processes/procedures are completely
> disregarded if it is deemed necessary to "get something done".
>
> as i try to build out a security plan for how to deal with
> servers/routers/end users, i keep coming to the conclusion that it will
> be meaningless unless control can be taken over what the other
> department is doing (network engineering).  the one commonality for all
> devices on the network is that they have an IP address.
>
> i would like to propose to management that dhcp should be disabled, so
> as to force the building of a database that will hold all of the
> information needed to begin a comprehensive security policy.  the
> security group would manage the database to ensure that we are
> collecting information (such as O/S, IOS version, anti-virus
> compliance...)
>
> i realize this will incur more work for those poor souls that have to
> deploy hardware, but i believe the benefits out-weigh the costs.  the
> benefits i see:
>
> 1.  once a branch location is staticly addressed, we have a working
> inventory of what is out there.
>
> 2.  a more secure environment.  no longer can users bring in non-
> company owned devices and place them on our production network (which
> is already a policy---that isn't policed).
>
> 3.  i can setup automated scripts that check MAC addresses to IP
> addresses on the router ARP tables to check for spoofing.
>
> our branch locations don't change very often.....some are still on
> token ring for god's sake, so i don't really see that much more
> workload.
>
> Has anyone else dropped DHCP as a management/compliance decision?
>
> thanks.
>
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EARN A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION ASSURANCE - ONLINE
The Norwich University program offers unparalleled Infosec management
education and the case study affords you unmatched consulting experience.
Tailor your education to your own professional goals with degree
customizations including Emergency Management, Business Continuity Planning,
Computer Emergency Response Teams, and Digital Investigations.

http://www.msia.norwich.edu/secfocus
---------------------------------------------------------------------------