Network segmentation patterns that reduce blast radius

Create boundaries around impact

Separate administrative services, user networks, production workloads, sensitive data, backups and legacy systems according to realistic compromise paths.

Control identity and network together

Network location is not identity. Combine segmentation with authenticated access, workload identity and device or service context.

Validate the policy

Test expected allowed and denied paths, monitor rule changes and compare observed traffic with the documented communication model.

Expire exceptions

Every temporary rule should have an owner, business reason, review date and safer target state. Long-lived exceptions become architecture.