Home security systems are designed to keep intruders out. But even with the most advanced systems in place, vulnerabilities still exist. Something as simple as an old cellar door may provide a clear and undetected path for trespassers.

The same principle applies to DNS.

DDoS protection solutions are becoming more sophisticated than ever. Meanwhile, many domain name systems (DNS) are like old cellar doors where attackers can easily sneak in. DNS, the system that converts domain names to IP addresses, is what makes the internet most vulnerable today.

Much like that old cellar door, DNS infrastructure was designed to be a reliable gateway, not a security feature.

The current DNS protocol, “if my packets don’t get through I’ll just retransmit them and they’re not critical” will no longer cut it in today’s ever-changing security landscape.

Originally designed for unreliable networks, this outdated protocol is now frequently exploited by criminal attackers. To counter this, a managed DNS service is the key to transforming regular DNS into a reliable, secure solution for protecting infrastructure.

Here’s why secure managed DNS is a must-have:

• Attacks will happen With such a an important and not inherently secure protocol, DNS is a prime target for attackers. However, with managed DNS, infrastructure is robust and distributed enough to protect against attacks, making it more difficult for attackers. Additionally, a secure DNS solution should offer protection against DDoS attacks aimed at a company’s DNS.
• Targets will move When attackers are unsuccessful at the DNS-level, they’ll move their targets to web content. This is where application layer (versus raw bandwidth/volumetric) DDoS protection can kick in and filters the attack traffic.
• Risks will increase Attacks with less bandwidth, such as some of the recent attacks on financial institutions, can target things like the payment gateways, payment processing systems and so on. In this case, a secure managed DNS solution will not only filter out the bad traffic based on volume, but also based on the applications that are being attacked. These can include mail systems, payment processors or gateways.

In conclusion, secure managed DNS is a necessity when it comes to network security. Without it, your websites’ safety is compromised and at the mercy of more and more attackers every day, Don’t let DNS be your cellar door for attackers to enter. Upgrade your DNS to a better, more secure managed solution today.

To learn more about the importance of secure, managed DNS for network security, and how to get it, visit: http://www.neustar.biz/services/dns-services.