The Flat Network: A Trampoline for Attackers
A network without VLAN segmentation places all devices in the same broadcast domain: management computers, printers, VoIP phones, IoT devices, visitors on guest WiFi. If an attacker compromises any of these devices — and most have unpatched vulnerabilities — they can move freely to all others without any barrier.
VLAN Design by Trust Zone
VLAN 10 — Critical Data: Servers, NAS, management systems. Only devices and corporate users previously authenticated with 802.1X can access. No access from any other VLAN by default.
VLAN 20 — General Corporate: Employee computers, laptops, corporate phones. Access to internet and Critical Data VLAN with specific ACLs. Cannot access the Network Management VLAN.
VLAN 30 — IoT: IP cameras, printers, sensors, smart TVs. Internet access only. Cannot initiate any connection toward corporate VLANs. If an IoT device is compromised, it remains completely isolated.
VLAN 40 — Guests: Visitor WiFi with Captive Portal. Internet access with rate limiting. Completely isolated from everything else. No internal device visibility.
Are your IP cameras, printers, and management computers all on the same network?
We design and implement complete VLAN segmentation with UniFi that contains breaches and protects your most critical assets.
Segment My Network By Zone
