Posted on : June 3, 2025 By Tech World Times Technology  Rate this post This article walks you through five practical steps to implement network segmentation effectively, backed by real-world use cases that showcase its value in different industries. Networks are constantly expanding across offices, cloud services, remote users, and connected devices. With so many moving parts, security gaps can easily form. Once attackers breach a weak point, they often move freely across the network, targeting critical systems and sensitive data. That’s where network segmentation comes in. It’s a practical approach to divide your network into smaller, manageable zones to control access, limit exposure, and isolate threats before they spread. But simply deploying VLANs or access rules isn’t enough. True segmentation needs planning, alignment with your business, and the right mix of technology. Step 1: Assess and Map Your Current Network Start by figuring out what’s on your network and how it communicates. Inventory Devices and Applications: List all system servers, user machines, IoT devices, cloud assets. Map Data Flows: Understand how applications and services interact. Which systems talk to each other? What ports and protocols are used? Identify Critical Assets: Highlight the systems that handle sensitive data, such as payment processing, health records, or intellectual property. Tip: Network discovery tools or NAC solutions can automate asset inventory and reveal communication paths you might miss. Step 2: Define Segmentation Goals and Policies Once you understand your environment, it’s time to set your objectives. Security Objectives: Do you want to reduce lateral movement, isolate sensitive systems, or meet a compliance mandate? Business Alignment: Segment by business unit, sensitivity of data, or risk profile-whatever makes the most operational sense. Compliance Requirements: PCI DSS, HIPAA, and other standards often require network segmentation. Example: A healthcare provider might create separate zones for patient records, lab equipment, guest Wi-Fi, and billing systems. Step 3: Choose the Right Segmentation Method Segmentation can be done in several ways. The right approach depends on your infrastructure goals and types: a. Physical Segmentation Use separate routers, switches, and cables. This offers strong isolation but can be costly and harder to scale. b. Logical Segmentation (VLANs/Subnets) Group devices into virtual segments based on function or department. It’s efficient and easier to manage in most environments. c. Micro segmentation Control access at the workload or application level using software-defined policies. Ideal for cloud or virtualized environments where you need granular control. d. Cloud Segmentation In the cloud, segmentation happens using security groups, VPCs, and IAM roles to isolate workloads and define access rules. Use a combination- VLANs for broader segmentation and micro segmentation for finer control where it matters. Step 4: Implement Controls and Monitor Traffic Time to put those policies into action. Firewalls and ACLs: Use access controls to manage what can move between zones. Block anything that isn’t explicitly allowed. Zero Trust Principles: Never assume trust between segments. Always validate identity and permissions. Monitoring and Alerts: Use your SIEM, flow monitoring tools, or NDR platform to watch for unusual traffic or policy violations. Common Pitfall: Avoid “allow all” rules between segments, it defeats the purpose. Step 5: Test, Validate, and Fine-Tune Even a well-designed segmentation plan can have gaps. Regular validation helps ensure it works as expected. Penetration Testing: Simulate attacks to check if boundaries hold. Review Policies: Business needs to change your segmentation strategy too. Performance Monitoring: Make sure segmentation doesn’t impact legitimate operations or application performance. Automation tools can help simplify this process and ensure consistency. Real-World Use Cases of Network Segmentation 1. Healthcare – Protecting Patient Data and Devices Hospitals use segmentation to keep medical devices, patient records, and visitor Wi-Fi on separate zones. This prevents an infected guest device from interfering with critical systems. Result: Reduced attack surface and HIPAA compliance. 2. Manufacturing – Isolating Industrial Systems Production environments often have fragile legacy systems. Segmenting OT (Operational Technology) from IT ensures ransomware or malware doesn’t disrupt manufacturing lines. Result: More uptime and fewer operational risks. 3. Finance – Securing Payment Systems Banks and payment providers use segmentation to isolate cardholder data environments (CDE) from the rest of the corporate network. This helps meet PCI DSS and keeps sensitive data protected. Result: Easier audits and stronger data security. 4. Education – Managing High-Volume BYOD Traffic Universities segment student Wi-Fi, research labs, and administrative systems. This keeps a vulnerable student device from spreading malware to faculty or internal systems. Result: Safer environment for open access campuses. 5. Cloud – Segmenting Apps and Microservices In the cloud, developers use security groups, VPCs, and IAM roles to isolate applications and limit who can access what. This reduces risk if one workload is compromised. Result: Controlled access and better cloud hygiene. Common Challenges Legacy Tech: Older devices may not support modern segmentation. Lack of Visibility: Hard to secure what you don’t know exists. Operational Hiccups: Poorly planned segmentation can block business workflows. Policy Complexity: Keeping access rules up to date across dynamic environments takes effort. Best Practices Start with High-Risk Areas: Prioritize zones handling sensitive data or vulnerable systems. Keep Documentation Updated: Maintain clear diagrams and policy records. Align Teams: Get buy-in from IT, security, and business units. Automate Where You Can: Especially for monitoring and policy enforcement. Review Regularly: Networks evolve- so should your segmentation. Final Thoughts Segmentation isn’t about creating walls it’s about building smart pathways. Done right, it helps you take control of your network, reduce risk, and respond faster when something goes wrong. It’s a foundational layer of cybersecurity that pays off in resilience, compliance, and peace of mind. About the Author: Prajwal Gowda is a cybersecurity expert with 10+ years of experience. He has built businesses and was a Business Unit Head for Compliance and Testing services. Currently, he is the Chief Technology Officer at Ampcus Cyber, leading the company’s technology strategy and innovation efforts. He has also been involved in the Payment Card Industry, Software Security Framework, ISO 27001 Controls Gap Analysis, ISMS, Risk Analysis, OCTAVE, ISO 27005, Information Security Audit and Network Security. Prajwal is a Master Trainer who has conducted 100+ cybersecurity training sessions worldwide. Tech World TimesTech World Times (TWT), a global collective focusing on the latest tech news and trends in blockchain, Fintech, Development & Testing, AI and Startups. If you are looking for the guest post then contact at techworldtimes@gmail.com

Start SlideshowStart SlideshowImage: Nintendo / Kotaku / Jake Randall / Burndumb, Nintendo / Kotaku, Fox / Disney / Kotaku, Sandfall Interactive, Nintendo / Kotaku, Arrowhead Game Studios / Kotaku, Screenshot: Подкаст «Пóпы и культура» / YouTube / Switch 2, a2dubai / YouTube / KotakuFrom mergers to memes, the landscape of interactive entertainment is always in motion. Here’s your cheat sheet for the week’s most important stories in gaming.Previous SlideNext SlideList slidesTarget Leaves Dozens Of Switch 2 Consoles Locked In A Cage On The Store FloorNintendo’s next big console, the Switch 2, is set to arrive on store shelves in just 10 days. So it’s not surprising to see photos showing dozens of Switch 2 consoles sitting in store warehouses and back areas. However, I wasn’t expecting a bunch of Switch 2 consoles to be sitting in a metal cage in the middle of a Target already. - Zack Zwiezen Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesSwitch 2 Leaker Explains How He Got The Console Early And Why He's Not Afraid Of NintendoImage: Nintendo / KotakuIt was the middle of the night when Fedor Volkov found himself anxiously waiting on the streets of Moscow for a ride back home. In his arms he held a Switch 2 box and nestled within was the console fans had been waiting years to get their hands on, but which still didn’t officially go on sale for more than a week. He was too nervous and excited to remember to bring something to hide it in. - Ethan Gach Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesSomeone Take Away Randy Pitchford's PhoneImage: Fox / Disney / KotakuSometimes you just gotta walk away. And this might be one of those times. Earlier this month, Gearbox co-founder and CEO Randy Pitchford replied to someone on social media about the studio’s next game, Borderlands 4, possibly receiving an $80 price tag. He said it wasn’t his call and then infamously added, “If you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way to make it happen.” This didn’t go over well with people online. A few days later, on May 22, he said he didn’t intend to sound like an asshole. - Zack Zwiezen Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesSwitch 2 Startup And Menu Settings Appear Online As Early Player Shows Off Console In 'Code Red' Leak For NintendoScreenshot: Подкаст «Пóпы и культура» / YouTube / Switch 2The Switch 2 is just days away from its official June 5 launch, but already footage is beginning to spread online of people going hands-on with Nintendo’s next console. One fan based in Russia recently uploaded a nearly 10-minute video that includes the Switch 2's startup sequence and a tour through its menu settings. “Respects to this man for sacrificing his life to unbox the console a week before launch,” reads the top comment on YouTube. - Ethan Gach Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesClair Obscur: Expedition 33 Publisher Says Fans Would Never Guess The Hit RPG's Budget: 'I'm Sure Mirror's Edge And Vanquish Cost More'Image: Sandfall InteractiveClair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the top-rated games of the year and has sold over 3.3 million copies. And it did it all with a very small budget, according to publisher Kelpler Interactive. How small? Portfolio director Matthew Handrahan isn’t saying, but he thinks everyone’s guesses are probably wrong. - Ethan Gach Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesOnly One First-Party Nintendo Game Won't Work On Switch 2Image: Nintendo / KotakuThe Nintendo Switch 2 will be able to play most original Switch games without any issues when it launches on June 5. According to an update from Nintendo, most big games and all first-party titles (with one tiny exception) will work on Switch 2, though you might need an update or an old Joy-Con. - Zack Zwiezen Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesHelldivers 2 Players Are Pulling Off Incredible Feats In A Last-Ditch Effort To Save Super EarthImage: Arrowhead Game Studios / KotakuHelldivers 2's Galactic War has come to Super Earth and it’s going very, very badly. Players have lost every major city on the planet save for two, but are making a triumphant last stand against the Illuminate as fans from across the real world band together to hold the line. - Ethan Gach Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesSomeone's Unboxing A Switch 2 But Claims It Needs A Day-One Patch To WorkScreenshot: a2dubai / YouTube / KotakuSwitch 2 hardware appears to be officially out in the wild, but it doesn’t sound like anyone will be able to play the console early. A day-one patch is needed for it to fully work, according to someone who uploaded a brief unboxing video of the new Nintendo console to YouTube. - Ethan Gach Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesGameStop Doubles Down On Crypto With Massive Bitcoin Purchase As Stores CloseGameStop Doubles Down On Crypto With Massive Bitcoin Purchase As Stores Close Share SubtitlesOffEnglishThe company continues its pivot away from selling games and toward doing anything else to stay afloatPrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesPlayStation’s Days of Play Brings Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, NBA 2K25 & More To PS PlusPlayStation’s Days of Play Brings Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, NBA 2K25 & More To PS Plus Share SubtitlesOffEnglishBomb Rush Cyberfunk is hitting PS Plus alongside NBA 2K25 and a Destiny 2 takeover in June

Dungeons & Dragons makers Wizards of the Coast has put a strong focus psychic powers since 2023’s Baldur’s Gate 3 pitted adventurers of the Forgotten Realms against a mind-flayer invasion. WotC embraced the game’s success in its 2024 ruleset with an emphasis on psionics, with aberrant sorcerers, psychic warriors and soulknives all appearing in the Player’s Handbook. And Thursday’s Unearthed Arcana continued that trend, putting out rules for the psion class for the first time since 4th edition. The psion dates back to earliest days of and D&D, mentioned in the first edition Player’s Handbook and fully developed with the 1991 release of The Complete Psionics Handbook. While a version of a psion called a mystic was tested for 5e in a 2017 Unearthed Arcana, it was never officially published. The amount of psion-focused art shared in a 9-minute video with the designers makes it feel more likely that this class is a keeper, possibly debuting in Forgotten Realms Players Guide releasing later this year.The psion is a devoted spellcaster, like a wizard, but doesn’t speak arcane words or use special material components. Their spells are enhanced by a well of internal energy that manifests as bonus dice in the same way as the soulknife and psychic warrior subclasses. At first level, a psion can expend the dice to telekinetically propel creatures around the battlefield or extend their natural telepathy. The number and size of their dice expand as they level up along with the ways a psion can use them to attack or defend themselves.The playtest offers options for four subclasses. The telepath is the most classic psion, a defensively strong class focused on psychically linking their party to bolster them. They can also subtly infiltrate thoughts to gather information. Psykinetics are good at utilizing forcefields and blasting people with telekinetic energies while psi warpers manipulate the battlefield by repositioning themselves and their allies. The metamorph is the most twisted option, letting the psion turn their body into a weapon by growing bone blades, extending their limbs, and flinging bolts of bile.Players who just want a taste of psionics without fully committing to a dedicated class or subclass can try one of the 10 new wild talent feats. The empath gains emotional sense they can use to influence others along with the ability to psionically cast charm person and calm emotions, while a pyrokineticist can change the damage of their attacks and spells to fire and cast some fire spells. The playtest also introduces a few new spells, including the chance to summon a psionic entity.Players can download the psion rules for free on the D&D Beyond website and offer feedback through June 3.See More:

From the first moment you step into the brutal lands of Shu, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers makes one thing clear: survival isn’t gifted, it’s earned. Throughout your journey, you’ll need to master an arsenal of weapons, spells, and abilities to overcome the harrowing challenges of this Soulslike action-RPG set in the waning years of the Ming dynasty. With the July 24 launch fast approaching, we’re giving PlayStation players a closer look at some of the game’s most defining tools of survival, power, and identity. We’ll highlight just a few of the devastating weapons, arcane spells, and unique abilities you’ll wield as you carve your legacy through ruin and revelation. These tools don’t just shape your playstyle, they shape the legend of Wuchang herself. A diverse arsenal of blades and brutality Each weapon in Wuchang is tied to a piece of the game’s worldbuilding, from sacred relics to myth-imbued prototypes. Every blade tells a story, and every strike leaves a mark. The Dragoncoil Lance, a Deluxe Edition spear, is a striking silver-white weapon featuring a traditional design. A coiled dragon motif wraps around the junction of the shaft and spearhead, symbolizing the wielder’s courage and valor. Weapons in Wuchang each have their own unique skills, and with the Vortex Thrust skill for the Dragoncoil Lance, you can unleash shockwaves with devastating force, making it ideal for punishing multiple enemies at once. Abilities that shape the warrior Combat in Wuchang is fluid, fast, and fiercely deliberate, with a broad range of abilities that define how you approach each fight. One standout is Blade Dance, a whirling assault that slices through enemies while showcasing your mastery of dual blades. The Crescent Arc, a forward-lunging slash imbued with ethereal energy, closing distance and shifting momentum with measured precision. Prefer power over speed? Colossal Smash delivers a thunderous overhead strike that leaves a trail of destruction in its wake, ideal for breaking enemy posture or interrupting spellcasters mid-cast. Every ability in Wuchang evolves through skill trees and Red Mercury enhancements, adding layers of strategy beyond raw force. Spells drawn from myth and madness Wuchang’s spell system is one of the most visually striking elements of its design, drawing from Taoist ritual, ancient folklore, and operatic symbolism. These aren’t just tools of destruction. They’re storytelling vessels that bind your journey to the world’s unraveling lore. Infernal Flames casts a searing mask that torments enemies with divine rage, based on an ancient opera ritual meant to summon wrathful spirits. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Lotus Soulflame, a ritual spell used in spirit exorcisms that unleashes devastating elemental damage. Another standout is Echo of Liu Cheng’en, a chilling surge of ice named after a loyal Ming general. The spell can knock targets back with enough force to disrupt aggressive momentum and create space in critical encounters. Feathering, the price of power At the heart of Wuchang’s identity lies the Feathering system, a supernatural affliction that grants immense power at great personal cost. As Wuchang absorbs Red Mercury and defeats corrupted monstrosities, she unlocks devastating abilities and spells rooted in transformation. Feathering allows players to unleash deadly skills and spells mid-combat, turning the tide of battle in an instant. But each use chips away at stability, demanding tactical restraint. Do you risk transforming in the middle of a fight to deliver explosive damage, knowing it may leave you vulnerable? Or hold your strength in reserve until the moment you’re truly cornered? Pre-order bonuses and Deluxe Edition content Players who pre-order Wuchang: Fallen Feathers will receive two exclusive outfits, White Spectre and Night Spectre, offering ceremonial elegance steeped in decay. You’ll also unlock the Vermillion War Club, a brutal axe weapon with powerful combo potential, along with a Glistening Red Mercury Skill Upgrade to enhance your build from the very beginning. For those seeking even deeper customization, the Deluxe Edition adds four rare outfits: Soul Ritual Robe, Tiger of Fortune, Overlord’s Regalia, and Draconic Resurgence. It also includes powerful weapons such as the Moonlight Dragon, Watcher’s Gaze swords, Eternal Sovereignty, and Dragoncoil Lance. You’ll also receive the Blood of Changhong, a special Skill Upgrade Item designed to support diverse builds and encourage early experimentation. Prepare for launch Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is more than a battle for survival. It’s a meditation on power, sacrifice, and transformation. Every spell you cast, weapon you wield, and enemy you overcome deepens your understanding of Wuchang’s intricate lore. Mastery isn’t just rewarded, it’s essential to unlocking the truths buried in the land of Shu. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers launches July 24 on PlayStation 5. Pre-order now to unlock exclusive content and prepare for the journey that awaits.

Ancient Roman structures have always been a major attraction for both common people and researchers. The durability of those magnificent architectural feats like the Pantheon of Rome has made researchers curious about how they are standing tall nearly after two thousand years of the height of the Roman empire. While The longevity of these structures can be attributed largely to Roman concrete, question still prevails about the speciality and the materials used in the concrete itself. Ingredients of Roman concreteAccording to the study published in the journal Science Advances, an international team of researchers led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that not only are the materials slightly different from what we may have thought, but the techniques used to mix them were also different.One key ingrediant was pozzolan, or ash. The Romans used ash from the volcanic beds of the Italian city Pozzuoli and shipped it all over the empire. The silica and alumina in the ash react with lime and water in a pozzolanic reaction at ambient temperatures, resulting in a stronger, longer lasting concrete.Another key ingredient is lime clasts, or small chunks of quicklime.These clasts give Roman concrete its self-healing capability. Concrete weathers and weakens over time, but water can infiltrate its cracks and reach the clasts. When they react with the water, the clasts create crystals called calcites that fill in the cracks.Difference with modern day cementThe high-temperature kiln process used today to make modern day Portland cement, grinds all materials into fine powder. It eliminates the lime clasts which results into the lack of the self-healing properties of Roman cement.The Romans utilized a method known as hot mixing, which involves combining quicklime with pozzolan, water and other ingredients and then heating them up. The MIT team found that this method helps unlock the lime clasts' self-healing abilities, and can result in faster setting than cement made with a quicklime-water solution called slaked lime.