NIST SP 800-125B: Secure Virtual Network Configuration for Virtual Machine (VM) Protection

NIST SP 800-125B: Secure Virtual Network Configuration for Virtual Machine (VM) Protection

Virtual machines (VMs) are key resources to be protected since they are the compute engines hosting mission-critical applications. Since VMs are end nodes of a virtual network, the configuration of the virtual network is an important element in the security of the VMs and their hosted applications. The virtual network configuration areas discussed in this document are network segmentation, network path redundancy, traffic control using firewalls, and VM traffic monitoring. This document analyzes the configuration options under these areas and presents a corresponding set of recommendations for secure virtual network configuration for VM protection.