The distributed and dynamic nature of modern networks, combined with targeted threats against applications and data, is changing the focus of network security. The new focus is on controlling individual user access and ensuring compliance with policies and regulations. The current threat landscape has fundamentally altered what constitutes an effective defense or timely response. Businesses must inspect not only network protocols but the valuable and sensitive information those messages carry. Stopping insider misuse and abuse requires more granular measures like endpoint security, identity-based network access controls and network behavior analysis. Best practices developed for perimeter security still apply, but they must now be deployed more pervasively and become an integral part of the network itself. This SearchNetworking.com E-Guide details the new set of best practices you must adopt in order to ensure the safety of your network.