Home > Financial Services > Network Security Questionnaire for an Indian Banking client using RBI guidelines

Network Security Questionnaire for an Indian Banking client using RBI guidelines

Overview of Network Security

1. Can you provide an overview of your network architecture, including key components such as firewalls, load balancers, and routers?

2. What are the primary ingress and egress points for your internet zone?

Certainly! Here are some additional steps that could be included in the Overview of Network Security section of the questionnaire

3. Describe the segmentation of your network and how different zones (e.g., internal, DMZ, public) are defined and implemented

4. What security measures are in place to protect the perimeter of your network?

5. Provide details on the types of encryption used for data in transit and at rest within your network

6. How are access controls enforced across different network segments?

7. What mechanisms are in place for network traffic monitoring and anomaly detection?

8. Describe the policies and procedures for patch management and updates for network devices

9. What are the processes for regular network security assessments and audits?

10. How do you ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards (e.g., RBI guidelines, PCI-DSS)?

11. Describe the redundancy and failover mechanisms implemented within your network architecture

12. What methods are used to authenticate users and devices accessing the network?

13. How is remote access to the network managed and secured?

14. What incident detection and response capabilities are integrated into your network security architecture?

15. Provide a summary of any third-party services or solutions used within your network security framework

Network Device Placement

3. How are your firewalls positioned within your network topology?

4. Where are your load balancers and routers located in relation to your data center and branch connectivity?

5. Can you describe the physical and logical placement of network devices in relation to your ATM connectivity?

Certainly! Here are some additional steps that could be included within the "Network Device Placement" section of the New Network Security Questionnaire

What measures are in place to ensure redundancy and failover capabilities for critical network devices?

How are your intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) integrated into the network architecture?

Where are your VPN concentrators positioned, and how do they connect to the internal network?

What segmentation practices are applied to separate different network zones (e.g., internal, DMZ, public)?

How are your network switches configured to minimize broadcast domains and enhance security?

Can you provide a network diagram that illustrates the placement of all key networking components?

What considerations are taken for physical security in the placement of network devices (e.g., in secure rooms, locked cabinets)?

How do you ensure that access points (APs) for wireless connectivity are placed to minimize vulnerabilities?

Are there any specific zones or areas in your network designated for sensitive data handling, and how are they protected?

How do you monitor the placement and configuration of network devices to ensure compliance with security policies?

These steps help to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the network device placement within the client's infrastructure and adherence to best practices in network security

Network Segmentation

6. How is your network segmented to separate different environments (e.g., production, development, DMZ)?

7. What measures are in place to prevent unauthorized access between different network segments?

Here are some additional steps that could be included in the Network Segmentation section of the New Network Security Questionnaire

8. What technologies (e.g., VLANs, firewalls, routers) are used to implement network segmentation?

9. How often are network segmentation policies and configurations reviewed and updated?

10. Are there specific access control lists (ACLs) applied to each segment, and how are they managed?

11. How is traffic monitored between different network segments to detect anomalies or unauthorized access attempts?

12. What processes are in place to log and audit traffic movement between segments?

13. How are segmentation boundaries enforced for both internal users and external entities?

14. What procedures exist for granting temporary access to specific segments for maintenance or troubleshooting?

15. Are there network segmentation best practices documented and communicated to relevant personnel?

16. How is segmentation tested for effectiveness (e.g., through penetration testing or vulnerability assessments)?

17. What role does network segmentation play in your overall risk management strategy?

18. Are there plans for future enhancements to your network segmentation strategy? If so, please describe

Including these additional steps can help create a comprehensive assessment of the client's network segmentation practices and ensure alignment with RBI guidelines

Traffic Flow and Monitoring

8. Can you describe the traffic flow between branches and the data center?

9. How is traffic routed between ATMs and the data center? Are there specific security measures in place for this traffic?

10. What logging and monitoring solutions do you have implemented for network devices?

Here are some additional steps that could be included in the Traffic Flow and Monitoring section of the Network Security Questionnaire

11. What protocols are used for data transmission between branches and the data center? Are any encryption methods applied?

12. How is traffic segmented based on sensitivity and criticality? Are there different security postures for different types of traffic?

13. What measures are in place to detect and mitigate Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on your network?

14. How frequently are traffic flows analyzed for anomalies or suspicious behavior? What tools are used for this analysis?

15. Are there defined thresholds for alerts based on traffic patterns? How are these alerts managed and escalated?

16. What are the procedures for monitoring and analyzing traffic to and from third-party services or vendors?

17. How do you ensure that traffic between the data center and Disaster Recovery (DR) site is secure and monitored?

18. Are there any mechanisms in place for real-time traffic inspection or intrusion detection? If so, please describe them

19. How do you ensure compliance with regulatory requirements related to traffic monitoring and data protection?

20. What processes are in place for reviewing and updating your traffic flow and monitoring strategies in response to emerging threats?

These steps will provide a more comprehensive view of the organization's traffic flow and monitoring practices, helping to ensure that they align with RBI guidelines and best practices in network security

Access Control for Network Devices

11. How is access to network devices controlled and managed?

12. Are there policies in place for the authentication of personnel accessing network devices? If so, what are they?

Here are some additional steps that could be included in the "Access Control for Network Devices" section of the Network Security Questionnaire for the Indian Banking client

13. What methods are used for user authentication (e.g., passwords, multi-factor authentication, biometric)?

14. Are access controls based on the principle of least privilege? How is this enforced?

15. Is there a role-based access control (RBAC) mechanism in place for managing access to network devices?

16. How frequently are user access rights reviewed and updated?

17. Are there mechanisms to log and monitor access to network devices? If so, how are these logs maintained and reviewed?

18. What processes are in place for de-provisioning access when personnel leave the organization or change roles?

19. Are there restrictions on remote access to network devices? If so, what are they?

20. Is there a process for granting temporary access to network devices, and how is this monitored?

21. Are there security controls in place to protect the credentials used to access network devices (e.g., secure password storage, credential vaulting)?

22. What training and awareness programs are provided to personnel regarding secure access to network devices?

23. Is there an incident response plan specifically for unauthorized access to network devices? If so, what does it entail?

24. How is physical access to network devices controlled and managed (e.g., locked server rooms, access badges)?

25. Are there periodic audits or assessments to verify compliance with access control policies for network devices?

Traffic Movement to and from Data Center and DR

13. What procedures are in place to monitor traffic movement to and from the data center and disaster recovery site?

14. How do you ensure the security of data in transit between these critical sites?

Here are some additional steps that could be included in the "Traffic Movement to and from Data Center and DR" section of the New Network Security Questionnaire

15. What encryption protocols are implemented for data in transit between the data center and disaster recovery site?

16. Are there any measures in place to detect anomalies or unauthorized access attempts during traffic movement?

17. How are access controls enforced for systems communicating between the data center and disaster recovery site?

18. What logging mechanisms are in place to record traffic movement between these sites for auditing purposes?

19. Are there regular audits or assessments conducted to evaluate the security of the traffic movement?

20. What redundancy or failover mechanisms are employed to ensure continuous data flow between the data center and disaster recovery site?

21. How is the security of network devices (e.g., routers, switches) that facilitate traffic movement ensured?

22. Are there specific security policies that govern the transfer of sensitive data to and from the data center and disaster recovery site?

23. What procedures are in place for incident response if a security breach occurs during data transfer?

24. How frequently are the traffic movement procedures reviewed and updated to address emerging threats?

25. Are there training programs for staff regarding secure data transfer practices between the data center and disaster recovery site?

Incident Response and Logging

15. What incident response protocols do you have established for network-related security breaches?

16. How long are logs retained, and what types of events are logged for network devices?

17. How do you ensure the integrity and availability of logs generated by network devices?

Here are some additional steps that could be included in the Incident Response and Logging section of the Network Security Questionnaire

18. What processes are in place for the regular review and analysis of logs to identify potential security incidents?

19. How do you ensure that logs are protected from unauthorized access or tampering?

20. What tools or technologies are used for log management and analysis in your network environment?

21. How do you correlate logs from different network devices and systems to gain a comprehensive view of potential incidents?

22. What is your incident escalation procedure, and how are incidents prioritized based on their severity?

23. How is staff trained and prepared to respond to network-related security incidents?

24. What communication protocols are followed during an incident, both internally and externally?

25. How do you coordinate with law enforcement or regulatory bodies in the event of a significant security breach?

26. What metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) do you track to evaluate the effectiveness of your incident response efforts?

27. How often do you conduct incident response drills or tabletop exercises to test your protocols?

28. What post-incident analysis processes are in place to learn from security incidents and improve future responses?

29. How do you ensure that incident response protocols are regularly updated in accordance with evolving threats and regulatory requirements?

30. What measures are in place to ensure that sensitive data is handled appropriately during an incident response?

Vulnerability Management

18. How frequently do you conduct vulnerability assessments on network devices?

19. What is your process for patch management and ensuring that network devices are kept up to date?

Here are some additional steps that could be included in the Vulnerability Management section of the questionnaire

20. How do you prioritize vulnerabilities based on their severity and potential impact on the network?

21. What tools or technologies do you use for vulnerability scanning and assessment?

22. How do you ensure that vulnerabilities identified in external audits or assessments are addressed in a timely manner?

23. Are there documented procedures for remediation of discovered vulnerabilities? If so, please describe

24. How do you conduct penetration testing on your network devices, and how often is it performed?

25. What steps do you take to ensure that all network devices are included in the vulnerability management program?

26. How do you track and report on the status of vulnerabilities and remediation efforts to management?

27. Are there specific compliance requirements (e.g., PCI-DSS, ISO 27001) that guide your vulnerability management practices? If so, please specify

28. Do you have a process for evaluating new vulnerabilities as they are discovered, including zero-day vulnerabilities?

29. How are employees trained on recognizing and reporting potential vulnerabilities within the network?

30. What role does threat intelligence play in your vulnerability management process?

31. How often do you review and update your vulnerability management policies and procedures?

32. Do you have a process for validating that vulnerabilities have been successfully remediated after patches or fixes are applied?

33. How do you handle vulnerabilities in third-party software or hardware components used in your network?

34. Are there documented metrics or KPIs that you use to measure the effectiveness of your vulnerability management program? If yes, please provide examples

Training and Awareness

20. What training do your staff receive regarding network security, specifically related to network devices?

21. How do you keep your team aware of emerging threats related to network security?

Here are some additional steps that could be included in the Training and Awareness section of the New Network Security Questionnaire

22. What ongoing training programs are in place to ensure staff stay updated on the latest network security protocols and best practices?

23. How frequently are network security training sessions conducted for staff at all levels?

24. Do you provide specialized training for staff responsible for managing and maintaining network devices?

25. How do you assess the effectiveness of your training programs in enhancing staff knowledge and preparedness in network security?

26. Are there simulations or tabletop exercises conducted to prepare staff for potential network security incidents?

27. How do you communicate security policies and procedures to all employees, and how often is this communication updated?

28. What role do external training resources (e.g., certifications, workshops) play in your network security training strategy?

29. How do you encourage a culture of security awareness among employees, and what initiatives have been implemented to support this?

30. Are there specific training modules focused on the secure configuration and management of network devices?

31. How do you incorporate lessons learned from past incidents into your training programs?

32. Do you provide awareness training on compliance requirements related to network security (e.g., RBI guidelines, data protection regulations)?

33. What strategies do you use to engage staff and ensure their participation in network security training sessions?

34. Is there a feedback mechanism in place for employees to share their experiences and suggestions regarding network security training?

Third-party Connectivity

22. How do you assess the security of third-party connections to your network?

23. Are there any contracts or agreements in place with third-party vendors regarding network security?

Here are some additional steps that could be included in the Third-party Connectivity section of the Network Security Questionnaire for the Indian Banking client, following the existing steps you provided

24. What criteria do you use to evaluate the security posture of third-party vendors before establishing connections?

25. Do you require third-party vendors to complete regular security assessments or audits?

26. How do you monitor and manage the security of third-party connections on an ongoing basis?

27. Are there specific security controls or technologies (e.g., firewalls, VPNs, encryption) mandated for third-party connections?

28. How do you ensure compliance with regulatory requirements related to third-party data handling and security?

29. What processes are in place for terminating third-party access when the relationship ends?

30. How are third-party vendors trained on your organization’s security policies and procedures?

31. Do you conduct penetration testing or vulnerability assessments on third-party connections?

32. What incident response measures are in place in case of a security breach involving a third-party vendor?

33. How do you ensure that third-party vendors adhere to data privacy regulations and standards?

34. Are there mechanisms for reporting security incidents or vulnerabilities discovered by third-party vendors?

35. Do you maintain an inventory of all third-party vendors and their associated access levels to your network?

These steps can help ensure a comprehensive assessment of third-party connectivity and the associated security risks

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

24. What measures are in place for disaster recovery concerning network devices?

25. How often are your disaster recovery plans tested, and do they include network security scenarios?

Certainly! Here are some additional steps that can be included within the Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity section of the New Network Security Questionnaire for an Indian Banking client

26. What specific backup solutions are implemented for network device configurations and settings?

27. How are network devices prioritized in the disaster recovery plan based on criticality to business operations?

28. What is the recovery time objective (RTO) and recovery point objective (RPO) for network devices?

29. Are there documented procedures for restoring network services post-disaster, and how are they communicated to relevant stakeholders?

30. How does the organization ensure that the disaster recovery plan remains up-to-date with changes in the network environment?

31. What role does redundancy play in your disaster recovery strategy for network devices?

32. Are third-party vendors included in the disaster recovery and business continuity planning for network services?

33. How are network devices secured during the recovery process to prevent unauthorized access?

34. What training is provided to personnel involved in disaster recovery operations regarding network devices?

35. How does the organization ensure compliance with regulatory requirements during disaster recovery exercises for network security?

36. Are there specific scenarios simulated during testing that involve network outages or breaches?

37. What communication protocols are in place to notify stakeholders of a disaster and the status of recovery efforts related to network devices?

38. How is the effectiveness of the disaster recovery plan evaluated after tests or actual incidents involving network devices?

39. Are there contingency plans for alternative network configurations in the event of a primary network failure?

40. How are lessons learned from past incidents or tests incorporated into the disaster recovery and business continuity plans?

These steps will help create a comprehensive approach to disaster recovery and business continuity, particularly focusing on network devices and their critical role in the banking environment

Conclusion

26. Are there any additional comments or concerns you would like to discuss regarding your network security posture?

This questionnaire format allows for a structured discussion with the client, helping to gather essential information about their network security practices while adhering to RBI guidelines.

Certainly! Here are some additional steps that could be included in the Conclusion section of the New Network Security Questionnaire for an Indian Banking client

27. Have you engaged in any recent independent security assessments or audits to evaluate your network security posture?

28. What measures are in place to ensure compliance with RBI guidelines and other relevant regulatory requirements?

29. Can you provide an overview of your network security roadmap for the next 1-3 years, including planned upgrades or changes to your network architecture?

30. How do you ensure that your staff is kept informed about evolving security threats and best practices for network security?

31. What is your process for regularly reviewing and updating your incident response plan in light of new threats?

32. Are there specific KPIs or metrics you use to measure the effectiveness of your network security controls?

33. How do you handle network security in the context of remote work or mobile access to your systems?

34. What plans do you have for integrating emerging technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning) into your network security strategy?

35. Are there any particular challenges you face in maintaining network security that you would like to address?

36. How do you maintain documentation and records related to network security policies, procedures, and incidents?

37. What is your approach to threat intelligence sharing with other institutions or industry groups?

38. Are there any additional resources or support you require to enhance your network security measures?

These additional steps can help facilitate a more comprehensive discussion about the client's network security posture and ensure that all relevant aspects are considered

Download CSV Download JSON Download Markdown

Use in Manifestly

AI Checklist Generator

Network Security Questionnaire for an Indian Banking client using RBI guidelines

Overview of Network Security

Network Device Placement

Network Segmentation

Traffic Flow and Monitoring

Access Control for Network Devices

Traffic Movement to and from Data Center and DR

Incident Response and Logging

Vulnerability Management

Training and Awareness

Third-party Connectivity

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

Conclusion

Related Checklists

Compliance Checklist

Client Onboarding Checklist

KYC Checklist

Data Security Checklist

Risk Management Checklist

Disaster Recovery Checklist

Employee Onboarding Checklist

Internal Controls Checklist

Regulatory Reporting Checklist

Business Continuity Checklist

AML Checklist

Contract Review Checklist