Storage Area Network Security

What Does Storage Area Network Security Mean?

Storage area network (SAN) security refers to the collective measures, processes, tools and technologies that enable the securing of a SAN infrastructure.

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It is a broad process that ensures that the SAN infrastructure operates securely and is protected from any vulnerabilities.

Techopedia Explains Storage Area Network Security

SAN security generally requires first analyzing the underlying SAN infrastructure for possible loopholes and/or vulnerabilities.

Some of the techniques used for securing a SAN infrastructure include:

  • Encrypting data at rest when stored on a SAN infrastructure or storage drives
  • Isolating users/departments/organizations using a virtual SAN
  • Securing network and communication interfaces
  • Implementing an access control list (ACL) and digital certificates within the switch to ensure only authenticated switches join a SAN fabric
  • Removing and resolving single points of failure
  • Mitigating network-based vulnerabilities such as Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), which is vulnerable to Denial of Service (DoS) attack

SAN security may also involve creating and implementing a SAN backup and recovery plan to ensure it stays operational even after an attack or threatening incident.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…