What are the best practices for securing server switches in a production environment?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently managing a production network, and ensuring that all network devices are secure has become a top priority. With sensitive data flowing through the system, I want to make sure we’re following industry best practices to prevent unauthorized access and potential breaches.

I’m particularly interested in best practices for server switches, since these devices play a critical role in controlling network traffic and segmenting sensitive information.

What configuration settings or features do you enable to lock down switches effectively?

Do you recommend using VLANs, ACLs, or port security, and in what situations?

How do you handle firmware updates, patches, and monitoring for vulnerabilities?

Are there common mistakes you see teams make when securing switches that should be avoided?

Any tools or processes that make ongoing management easier while keeping security tight?

I’m hoping to gather practical tips and lessons learned from real deployments and anything that has worked well (or not) in production environments would be extremely helpful.

Thanks in advance for sharing your insights!