Network Packet Broker Deployment for Visibility Challenges

This case study details the deployment of a Network Packet Broker (NPB) solution by Garland Technology to address visibility challenges faced by a large food processing company after a network segmentation initiative. The initial segmentation aimed to enhance network architecture but inadvertently created blind spots, complicating the efficient handling of IP traffic through a single intrusion detection system (IDS) interface. The proposed solution involved the NPB, which was designed to collect, filter, and load balance traffic before it reached the IDS. This approach eliminated visibility gaps and restored full coverage without the need for additional hardware. The case study outlines the critical nature of a well-designed network segmentation strategy for large manufacturing organizations, especially in light of increasing regulations aimed at protecting critical infrastructure. The deployment not only optimized the performance of the existing IDS but also reduced network complexity and enabled future infrastructure upgrades.