The configuration of your network impacts directly on its performance and affects its stability and Information Security.

• Poor network stability can threaten your business operations.

• Design a network for stability. That way, even if one part should fail, the overall network will remain operational.
• Consider duplicating key parts of the network such as routers, using separate cables.

• Inadequate control over access to your network can jeopardise the confidentiality and integrity of your data.

• Strike a balance between exercising too much and too little control.
• Configure Information Security controls during network setup. Post setup controls are harder to implement.
• Ensure that any modification to the network does not either dilute Information Security or introduce new threats.
• Regularly monitor and verify the effectiveness of network Information Security.
• Ensure that the network design and setup are adequately documented, otherwise this in itself poses an Information Security risk.

• Slow or inadequate system response times impede business processing.

• Estimate usage and capacity requirements for the network in a sizing exercise. Consider the peaks, troughs and concentrations of activity.