Let’s be honest—network security often feels like a moving target. Just when you think you’ve locked everything down, a new threat shows up or a setting turns out to be riskier than expected. If you’ve ever assumed that your default configurations were “good enough,” you’re not alone.
The problem? Many of the biggest security issues don’t come from advanced threats. They start with everyday misconfigurations—settings that seem harmless until someone exploits them. This article breaks down five of the most common mistakes that could leave your network wide open.
Whether you’re managing a small IT environment or overseeing an enterprise system, this is your reminder to double-check a few key areas.
1. Poor Access Controls and Permissions
When it comes to protecting your network, not everyone needs access to everything. Unfortunately, it’s still common to see users with more permissions than they actually need. And that’s where trouble often begins.
Let’s say someone in the marketing department has admin-level access to a shared folder with sensitive HR data. Or maybe an intern has the same access rights as a senior network engineer. If any of these accounts get compromised, it can open the door to data leaks, lateral movement, or worse.
That’s why implementing least privilege access should be a top priority. This means assigning users the bare minimum rights required to do their jobs—and nothing more.
To manage access more efficiently, many IT teams rely on group policy management. It helps enforce rules across departments, systems, and user accounts. Using smart group policy management practices can prevent accidental over-permissioning and ensure that security policies stay consistent across the board.
Make it a habit to audit user access regularly. Even better—automate it. The fewer permissions floating around, the smaller your attack surface.
2. Unsecured Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Access
RDP can be a useful tool for remote work, but it also poses a major risk if left exposed. Cybercriminals often scan the internet looking for open RDP ports, and if they find one, they’ll try brute-force attacks or use stolen credentials to get in.
Leaving RDP wide open is like leaving your front door unlocked. Attackers can slip in quietly and stay hidden while exploring the rest of your network.
To reduce this risk, disable RDP entirely if you don’t use it. If remote access is necessary, limit who can use it, and always require multi-factor authentication (MFA). Better yet, use a remote desktop gateway or VPN to add another layer of security.
Also, don’t forget logging. Track RDP usage and set alerts for failed login attempts. These small steps can make a big difference in spotting and stopping suspicious activity early.
3. Outdated or Unpatched Systems
You’ve probably seen reminders to install updates and thought, “I’ll do it later.” But when systems go unpatched, they become easy targets for known exploits.
Attackers don’t need to work hard to break in when they can just use an existing vulnerability. Some of the biggest cyberattacks in recent years took advantage of flaws that had already been patched—victims just hadn’t installed the fix.
Operating systems, third-party software, firmware—everything needs regular updates. And if you manage a lot of devices, consider using automated patch management tools to stay on top of it.
Don’t overlook legacy systems, either. Older software that no longer receives updates is a ticking time bomb. If you must keep it running, isolate it from the rest of your network and restrict access as much as possible.
Setting a patch schedule and sticking to it can save you from serious headaches down the road.
4. Misconfigured Firewalls and Open Ports
Firewalls are meant to protect your network, but if they’re not configured correctly, they might not be doing much at all.
Too often, open ports get left unmonitored or forgotten. Maybe someone enabled port 3389 (RDP) for a quick test and never turned it off. Or perhaps a file-sharing service was enabled but is no longer in use. Every open port is an entry point, and attackers know how to find them.
Start by reviewing your firewall rules. Make sure only the necessary ports and services are open. Anything else should be blocked by default.
Use tools like Nmap or Nessus to scan your network for unexpected open ports. Run these scans regularly, not just during setup.
And don’t assume cloud services are safe by default. If you’re running workloads in AWS or Azure, review your security groups and make sure you’re not exposing anything unnecessarily.
5. Weak Password Policies and Lack of MFA
Despite all the available security tools today, password issues still cause a huge number of breaches. It’s not just about weak passwords—it’s about using the same password across accounts, not changing them often, or failing to use MFA.
If a hacker gets hold of one password, they’ll try it everywhere. And if MFA isn’t in place, there’s little stopping them from logging in.
Every organization should enforce strong password policies. That means requiring a mix of characters, a minimum length, and regular updates. But more importantly, implement MFA across all systems, especially for admin accounts.
Most platforms support MFA now, and enabling it takes just a few minutes. For attackers, though, it’s a major roadblock. Password managers can also help users keep track of complex logins without writing them down or reusing them.
A few missteps can put your entire network at risk—but fixing them isn’t as overwhelming as it seems. Start by reviewing user permissions. Limit what people can access and manage those rules centrally with reliable group policy tools. Secure remote access points like RDP. Keep systems updated. Close unnecessary ports. And don’t let weak passwords be the reason someone gets in.
Security isn’t about locking everything down forever. It’s about reducing risk where you can and being ready to respond if something goes wrong. These five areas are a good place to start.
And if it’s been a while since you’ve checked these settings, there’s no better time than now. Your network—and your team—will be safer for it.
