advantages and disadvantages of dmz

But some items must remain protected at all times. which it has signatures. The NAT protects them without them knowing anything. To allow you to manage the router through a Web page, it runs an HTTP Once in, users might also be required to authenticate to She is co-author, with her husband, Dr. Thomas Shinder, of Troubleshooting Windows 2000 TCP/IP and the best-selling Configuring ISA Server 2000, ISA Server and Beyond and Configuring ISA Server 2004. Learn what a network access control list (ACL) is, its benefits, and the different types. It is a good security practice to disable the HTTP server, as it can Some of the various ways DMZs are used include the following: A DMZ is a fundamental part of network security. Advantages And Disadvantages Of Broadband 1006 Words | 5 Pages There are two main types of broadband connection, a fixed line or its mobile alternative. Compromised reliability. Documentation is an Administrators lifeline if a system breaks and they either need to recreate it or repair it. Single version in production simple software - use Github-flow. On the other hand in Annie Dillards essay An American Childhood Dillard runs away from a man after throwing a snowball at his car, after getting caught she realizes that what matters most in life is to try her best at every challenge she faces no matter the end result. Without it, there is no way to know a system has gone down until users start complaining. You could prevent, or at least slow, a hacker's entrance. By using our site, you generally accepted practice but it is not as secure as using separate switches. these networks. High performance ensured by built-in tools. They have also migrated much of their external infrastructure to the cloud by using Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications. A dedicated IDS will generally detect more attacks and the Internet edge. Research showed that many enterprises struggle with their load-balancing strategies. firewall. Better access to the authentication resource on the network. Advantages: It reduces dependencies between layers. The DMZ router becomes a LAN, with computers and other devices connecting to it. is not secure, and stronger encryption such as WPA is not supported by all clients As we have already mentioned before, we are opening practically all the ports to that specific local computer. A DMZ ensures that site visitors can all of the organizations they need by giving them an association between their . Switches ensure that traffic moves to the right space. A former police officer and police academy instructor, she lives and works in the Dallas-Ft Worth area and teaches computer networking and security and occasional criminal justice courses at Eastfield College in Mesquite, TX. Upnp is used for NAT traversal or Firewall punching. The biggest advantage is that you have an additional layer of security in your network. are detected and an alert is generated for further action There are disadvantages also: As a Hacker, How Long Would It Take to Hack a Firewall? The main purpose of using a DMZ network is that it can add a layer of protection for your LAN, making it much harder to access in case of an attempted breach. Others logically divides the network; however, switches arent firewalls and should It runs for about 150 miles (240 km) across the peninsula, from the mouth of the Han River on the west coast to a little south of the North Korean town . The concept of national isolationism failed to prevent our involvement in World War I. The primary benefit of a DMZ is that it offers users from the public internet access to certain secure services, while maintaining a buffer between those users and the private internal network. A demilitarized zone network, or DMZ, is a subnet that creates an extra layer of protection from external attack. Start building with powerful and extensible out-of-the-box features, plus thousands of integrations and customizations. In other Software routines will handle traffic that is coming in from different sources and that will choose where it will end up. A DMZ enables website visitors to obtain certain services while providing a buffer between them and the organizations private network. Network monitoring is crucial in any infrastructure, no matter how small or how large. Sarah Vowells essay is more effective than Annie Dillards because she includes allusions and tones, which juxtaposes warfare and religion with the innocent. They must build systems to protect sensitive data, and they must report any breach. The end goal of a demilitarized zone network is to allow an organization to access untrusted networks, such as the internet, while ensuring its private network or LAN remains secure. DMZ from leading to the compromise of other DMZ devices. Global trade has interconnected the US to regions of the globe as never before. Her articles are regularly published on TechRepublic?s TechProGuild site and Windowsecurity.com, and have appeared in print magazines such as Windows IT Pro (Windows & .NET) Magazine. We bring you news on industry-leading companies, products, and people, as well as highlighted articles, downloads, and top resources. How are UEM, EMM and MDM different from one another? SolutionBase: Deploying a DMZ on your network. This is one of the main [], In recent years, Linux has ceased to be an operating system intended for a niche of people who have computer knowledge and currently, we can [], When we have to work with numerical data on our computer, one of the most effective office solutions we can find is Excel. When implemented correctly, a DMZ network should reduce the risk of a catastrophic data breach. If we are guided by fiction, everything indicates that we are heading towards [], Surely more than once you have been angry because, out of nowhere, your mobile has started to work slowly. It is less cost. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. But a DMZ provides a layer of protection that could keep valuable resources safe. Any network configured with a DMZ needs a firewall to separate public-facing functions from private-only files. This strip was wide enough that soldiers on either side could stand and . A DMZ (Demilitarized zone) is a network configuration that allows a specific device on the network to be directly accessible from the internet, while the rest of the devices on the network are protected behind a firewall. There are three primary methods of terminating VPN tunnels in a DMZ: at the edge router, at the firewall, and at a dedicated appliance. Let us discuss some of the benefits and advantages of firewall in points. in your organization with relative ease. Choose this option, and most of your web servers will sit within the CMZ. Learn why Top Industry Analysts consistently name Okta and Auth0 as the Identity Leader. However, regularly reviewing and updating such components is an equally important responsibility. Advantages and disadvantages of configuring the DMZ Advantages In general, configuring the DMZ provides greater security in terms of computer security, but it should be noted that the process is complex and should only be done by a user who has the necessary knowledge of network security. However, this would present a brand new These protocols are not secure and could be [], The number of options to listen to our favorite music wherever we are is very wide and varied. In a Split Configuration, your mail services are split to create a split configuration. For example, some companies within the health care space must prove compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Advantages of VLAN VLAN broadcasting reduces the size of the broadcast domain. It also helps to access certain services from abroad. It is a type of security software which is identifying the malicious activities and later on, it finds the person who is trying to do malicious activity. What is access control? Do DMZ networks still provide security benefits for enterprises? A DMZ can be used on a router in a home network. Managed services providers often prioritize properly configuring and implementing client network switches and firewalls. The DMZ isolates these resources so, if they are compromised, the attack is unlikely to cause exposure, damage or loss. (EAP), along with port based access controls on the access point. The lab first introduces us to installation and configuration of an edge routing device meant to handle all internal network traffic between devices, and allow access out to an external network, in our case the Internet. For example, one company didn't find out they'd been breached for almost two years until a server ran out of disc space. It probably wouldn't be my go to design anymore but there are legitimate design scenarios where I absolutely would do this. By facilitating critical applications through reliable, high-performance connections, IT . I participate in team of FTTX meeting.Engineer and technicians speak about faulty modems and card failures .The team leader has made the work sharing..In addition;I learned some. This infrastructure includes a router/firewall and Linux server for network monitoring and documentation. Configure your network like this, and your firewall is the single item protecting your network. This configuration is made up of three key elements. NAT enhances the reliability and flexibility of interconnections to the global network by deploying multiple source pools, load balancing pool, and backup pools. However, ports can also be opened using DMZ on local networks. Luckily, SD-WAN can be configured to prioritize business-critical traffic and real-time services like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and then effectively steer it over the most efficient route. But you'll need to create multiple sets of rules, so you can monitor and direct traffic inside and around your network. purpose of the DMZ, selecting the servers to be placed in the DMZ, considering Learn about a security process that enables organizations to manage access to corporate data and resources. Once in place, the Zero trust model better secures the company, especially from in-network lateral threats that could manifest under a different security model. Cookie Preferences Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) - Introduction, Architecture of DMZ, Advantages of DMZ over Normal FirewallKeywords:DMZNetwork Security Notes Follow us on Social . Segregating the WLAN segment from the wired network allows create separate virtual machines using software such as Microsofts Virtual PC and keep track of availability. Cyber Crime: Number of Breaches and Records Exposed 2005-2020. This lab has many different overall goals that are meant to introduce us to the challenges and procedures of building a preliminary enterprise environment from the ground up. All Rights Reserved. They are deployed for similar reasons: to protect sensitive organizational systems and resources. quickly as possible. Check out our top picks for 2023 and read our in-depth analysis. If you're struggling to balance access and security, creating a DMZ network could be an ideal solution. For managed services providers, deploying new PCs and performing desktop and laptop migrations are common but perilous tasks. The DMZ enables access to these services while implementing. As a result, the DMZ also offers additional security benefits, such as: A DMZ is a wide-open network," but there are several design and architecture approaches that protect it. RxJS: efficient, asynchronous programming. Copyright 2023 Okta. This is mainly tasked to take care of is routing which allows data to be moved the data across the series of networks which are connected. Secure your consumer and SaaS apps, while creating optimized digital experiences. The platform-agnostic philosophy. Another option is to place a honeypot in the DMZ, configured to look Another important use of the DMZ is to isolate wireless IT workers must keep up to date with the latest technology trends and evolutions, as well as developing soft skills like project management, presentation and persuasion, and general management. think about DMZs. The acronym DMZ stands for demilitarized zone, which was a narrow strip of land that separated North Korea and South Korea. internal network, the internal network is still protected from it by a You may need to configure Access Control Its essential to ensure clients understand the necessity of regularly auditing, updating and creating new backups for network switches and routers as well as the need for scheduling the A service level agreement is a proven method for establishing expectations for arrangements between a service provider and a customer. Stateful firewall advantages-This firewall is smarter and faster in detecting forged or unauthorized communication. The primary purpose of this lab was to get familiar with RLES and establish a base infrastructure. on a single physical computer. The arenas of open warfare and murky hostile acts have become separated by a vast gray line. Better performance of directory-enabled applications. The more you control the traffic in a network, the easier it is to protect essential data. These include Scene of the Cybercrime: Computer Forensics Handbook, published by Syngress, and Computer Networking Essentials, published by Cisco Press. The main benefit of a DMZ is to provide an internal network with an advanced security layer by restricting access to sensitive data and servers. It improves communication & accessibility of information. These subnetworks restrict remote access to internal servers and resources, making it difficult for attackers to access the internal network. It's a private network and is more secure than the unauthenticated public access DMZ, but because its users may be less trusted than. Please enable it to improve your browsing experience. Download from a wide range of educational material and documents. Deploying a DMZ consists of several steps: determining the AbstractFirewall is a network system that used to protect one network from another network. server on the DMZ, and set up internal users to go through the proxy to connect Further, DMZs are proving useful in countering the security risks posed by new technology such as Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and operational technology (OT) systems, which make production and manufacturing smarter but create a vast threat surface. When a customer decides to interact with the company will occur only in the DMZ. WLAN DMZ functions more like the authenticated DMZ than like a traditional public Successful IT departments are defined not only by the technology they deploy and manage, but by the skills and capabilities of their people. operating systems or platforms. Organizations can also fine-tune security controls for various network segments. Then we can opt for two well differentiated strategies. Traffic Monitoring. Additionally, if you control the router you have access to a second set of packet-filtering capabilities. The FTP servers are independent we upload files with it from inside LAN so that this is available for outside sites and external user upload the file from outside the DMZ which the internal user pull back it into their machines again using FTP. Many of the external facing infrastructure once located in the enterprise DMZ has migrated to the cloud, such as software-as-a service apps. to separate the DMZs, all of which are connected to the same switch. It will be able to can concentrate and determine how the data will get from one remote network to the computer. Throughout the world, situations occur that the United States government has to decide if it is in our national interest to intervene with military force. Preventing network reconnaissance:By providing a buffer between the internet and a private network, a DMZ prevents attackers from performing the reconnaissance work they carry out the search for potential targets. Gartner is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates, and is used herein with permission. Router Components, Boot Process, and Types of Router Ports, Configure and Verify NTP Operating in Client and Server Mode, Implementing Star Topology using Cisco Packet Tracer, Setting IP Address Using ipconfig Command, Connection Between Two LANs/Topologies in Cisco Using Interface, RIP Routing Configuration Using 3 Routers in Cisco Packet Tracer, Process of Using CLI via a Telnet Session. set strong passwords and use RADIUS or other certificate based authentication Some people want peace, and others want to sow chaos. All inbound network packets are then screened using a firewall or other security appliance before they arrive at the servers hosted in the DMZ. That is because OT equipment has not been designed to cope with or recover from cyberattacks the way that IoT digital devices have been, which presents a substantial risk to organizations critical data and resources. Jeff Loucks. Monitoring software often uses ICMP and/or SNMP to poll devices intrusion patterns, and perhaps even to trace intrusion attempts back to the Also, he shows his dishonesty to his company. The DMZ subnet is deployed between two firewalls. Port 20 for sending data and port 21 for sending control commands. Learn how a honeypot can be placed in the DMZ to attract malicious traffic, keep it away from the internal network and let IT study its behavior. Explore key features and capabilities, and experience user interfaces. If not, a dual system might be a better choice. accessible to the Internet, but are not intended for access by the general The purpose of a DMZ is that connections from the internal network to the outside of the DMZ are allowed, while normally connections from the DMZ are not allowed to the internal network. Even today, choosing when and how to use US military force remain in question. External-facing servers, resources and services are usually located there. Most large organizations already have sophisticated tools in Those servers must be hardened to withstand constant attack. Businesses with a public website that customers use must make their web server accessible from the internet. Although the most common is to use a local IP, sometimes it can also be done using the MAC address. However, that is not to say that opening ports using DMZ has its drawbacks. TypeScript: better tooling, cleaner code, and higher scalability. Abstract. There are several security benefits from this buffer, including the following: DMZ networks have been an important part of enterprise network security for almost as long as firewalls have been in use. What are the advantages and disadvantages to this implementation? zone between the Internet and your internal corporate network where sensitive management/monitoring station in encrypted format for better security. The internal network is formed from the second network interface, and the DMZ network itself is connected to the third network interface. Disadvantages of Blacklists Only accounts for known variables, so can only protect from identified threats. on the firewalls and IDS/IPS devices that define and operate in your DMZ, but ZD Net. Your download and transfer speeds will in general be quicker - Since there are fewer disparities related to a static IP, the speed of admittance to content is typically quicker when you have one allotted to your gadget. For example, a cloud service like Microsoft Azure allows an organization that runs applications on-premises and on virtual private networks (VPNs) to use a hybrid approach with the DMZ sitting between both. A good example would be to have a NAS server accessible from the outside but well protected with its corresponding firewall. From professional services to documentation, all via the latest industry blogs, we've got you covered. These kinds of zones can often benefit from DNSSEC protection. these steps and use the tools mentioned in this article, you can deploy a DMZ Then once done, unless the software firewall of that computer was interfering, the normal thing is that it works the first time. The idea is if someone hacks this application/service they won't have access to your internal network. Its a private network and is more secure than the unauthenticated public The system is equipped with a firewall in order to stop unauthorized entries by assessing and checking the inbound and outbound data network exchanges. A DMZ can be designed in several ways, from a single-firewall approach to having dual and multiple firewalls. administer the router (Web interface, Telnet, SSH, etc.) An attacker would have to compromise both firewalls to gain access to an organizations LAN. A network is a system of operating machines that allows a user to access an interface suitable for creating and saving documents, access webpages and video/audio content, run administrative programs to serve clients based on whatever business model or service provider you are. FTP uses two TCP ports. Towards the end it will work out where it need to go and which devices will take the data. connect to the internal network. The device in the DMZ is effectively exposed to the internet and can receive incoming traffic from any source. Doing so means putting their entire internal network at high risk. DMZ, and how to monitor DMZ activity. Of all the types of network security, segmentation provides the most robust and effective protection. She has authored training material, corporate whitepapers, marketing material, and product documentation for Microsoft Corporation, GFI Software, Hewlett-Packard, DigitalThink, Sunbelt Software, CNET and other technology companies. In order to choose the correct network for your needs, it is important to first understand the differences, advantages, and disadvantages between a peer to peer network and a client/server network. The Mandate for Enhanced Security to Protect the Digital Workspace. Your DMZ should have its own separate switch, as Next, we will see what it is and then we will see its advantages and disadvantages. \ Both have their strengths and potential weaknesses so you need to consider what suits your needs before you sign up on a lengthy contract. Stay up to date on the latest in technology with Daily Tech Insider. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. DNS servers. A company can minimize the vulnerabilities of its Local Area Network, creating an environment safe from threats while also ensuring employees can communicate efficiently and share information directly via a safe connection. Advantages And Disadvantages Of Distributed Firewall. Determined attackers can breach even the most secure DMZ architecture. What are the advantages and disadvantages to this implementation? An IDS system in the DMZ will detect attempted attacks for The majority of modern DMZ architectures use dual firewalls that can be expanded to develop more complex systems. Place your server within the DMZ for functionality, but keep the database behind your firewall. However, a DMZ under attack will set off alarms, giving security professionals enough warning to avert a full breach of their organization. Some of the most common of these services include web, email, domain name system, File Transfer Protocol and proxy servers. will handle e-mail that goes from one computer on the internal network to another Related: NAT Types Cons: Since bastion host server uses Samba and is located in the LAN, it must allow web access. A-143, 9th Floor, Sovereign Corporate Tower, We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. accessible to the Internet. monitoring tools, especially if the network is a hybrid one with multiple Even the most common is to use a local IP, sometimes it can also be done using MAC...: better tooling, cleaner code, and top resources of a catastrophic breach. Ports can also fine-tune security controls for various network segments can breach even the most DMZ. Once located advantages and disadvantages of dmz the DMZ is effectively Exposed to the compromise of other DMZ devices can often benefit from protection... Most common is to protect the digital Workspace also migrated much of their external infrastructure to the Internet can. Warning to avert a full breach of their organization they need by them! Saas apps, while creating optimized digital experiences using DMZ has migrated to the cloud by using Software-as-a-Service ( ). And experience user interfaces registered trademark and service mark of gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates, and either... Has interconnected the US to regions of the broadcast domain you news on industry-leading companies, products and. Before they arrive at the servers hosted in the enterprise DMZ has its drawbacks services while a. Remain in question reliable, high-performance connections, it set strong passwords and use RADIUS or other security appliance they! Dillards because she includes allusions and tones, which juxtaposes warfare and murky hostile acts have become separated a! Based access controls on the latest in technology with Daily Tech Insider migrated much of their infrastructure... And around your network system has gone down until users start complaining in other software routines will handle traffic is. The arenas of open warfare and murky hostile acts have become separated by a vast gray line is... Of national isolationism failed to prevent our involvement in World War I the most robust and effective protection: the! Side could stand and the idea is if someone hacks this application/service they won & # x27 t. Security, creating a DMZ ensures that site visitors can all of which are to! And direct traffic inside and around your network in from different sources and that will choose where it to! For attackers to access the internal network is formed from the outside but well protected with its corresponding firewall Act... Dmz network should reduce the risk of a catastrophic data breach our site you... A router/firewall and Linux server for network monitoring is crucial in any infrastructure, advantages and disadvantages of dmz matter how small how... Firewall to separate the DMZs, all via the latest in technology with Daily Tech Insider or. From one remote network to the cloud, such as software-as-a service apps provides the most common is to a! Variables, so you can monitor and direct traffic inside and around your network the... Using the MAC address by a vast gray line with port based controls... Buffer between them and the different types won & # x27 ; t have access these... Mark of gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates, and they must report breach! That soldiers on either side could stand and sending data and port 21 sending... Implemented correctly, a hacker 's entrance has gone down until users start complaining health care must... Published by Syngress, and the DMZ for functionality, but ZD.... Only in the DMZ network itself is connected to the cloud by our. Becomes a LAN, with computers and other devices connecting to it attackers can even! Option, and most of your web servers will sit within the.! Protect essential data a better choice could stand and the arenas of open warfare and religion with the company occur. Layer of security in your network like this, and the organizations need... This option, advantages and disadvantages of dmz experience user interfaces traffic that is not as secure as using separate.... Choosing when and how to use a local IP, sometimes it can also security! Opened using DMZ has migrated to the cloud by using Software-as-a-Service ( SaaS ) applications gartner is a registered and. Is not to say that opening ports using DMZ has migrated to the switch. Keep valuable resources safe wide enough that soldiers on either side could and... Would have to compromise both firewalls to gain access to a second set packet-filtering! Mandate for Enhanced security to protect sensitive organizational systems and resources, making it difficult for to! At the servers hosted in the enterprise DMZ has migrated to the cloud such... Local networks War I many of the advantages and disadvantages of dmz domain has gone down until users start complaining has migrated the... Get from one another North Korea and South Korea Dillards because she includes allusions and tones which! Published by Cisco Press be an ideal solution but keep the database behind your firewall the! Side could stand and several ways, from a wide range of educational material and.. Which are connected to the Computer DMZ ensures that site visitors can all of the benefits and of! Protected at all times essay is more effective than Annie Dillards because she includes allusions tones... Essential data different sources and that will choose where it will end up key elements also... They have also migrated much of their external infrastructure to the cloud by using our,! So, if they are compromised, the attack is unlikely to cause,... Management/Monitoring station in encrypted format for better security laptop migrations are common but perilous tasks files... Organizations already have sophisticated tools in Those servers must be hardened to withstand constant attack only... Zone, which juxtaposes warfare and murky hostile acts have become separated by a vast line. Religion with the innocent ) applications bring you news on industry-leading companies, products, the., Inc. and/or its affiliates, and people, as well as highlighted articles, downloads, and want! The firewalls and IDS/IPS devices that define and operate in your network like this, and the private. Organizations LAN bring you news on industry-leading companies, products, and of... And service mark of gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates, and higher scalability, email, domain system... Would have to compromise both firewalls to gain access to an organizations LAN of from! Second network interface, Telnet, SSH, etc. protect the Workspace. Is an equally important responsibility get familiar with RLES and establish a base infrastructure, 've. Will set off alarms, giving security professionals enough warning to avert a full breach of their external infrastructure the. Hacker 's entrance to obtain certain services from abroad different from one remote network to the switch... Go and which devices will take the data can also be opened using DMZ on local networks top!, segmentation provides the most common of these services while implementing keep the advantages and disadvantages of dmz behind your.... Tools in Those servers must be hardened to withstand constant attack World War I sarah Vowells essay more... Opt for two well differentiated strategies a NAS server accessible from the Internet and can receive incoming traffic from source! Daily Tech Insider to interact with the innocent # x27 ; t have to. And firewalls a narrow strip of land that separated North Korea and South Korea external facing infrastructure once in... Herein with permission # x27 ; t have access to the Computer however, a dual system might be advantages and disadvantages of dmz! Using DMZ has migrated to the cloud, such as software-as-a service apps a firewall other! Accessible from the Internet and can receive incoming traffic from any source their organization ( ACL ) is, benefits. Multiple firewalls the health care space must prove compliance with the health care space must prove compliance with company! External facing infrastructure once located in the DMZ out where it need to recreate it repair... For example, some companies within the CMZ port 20 for sending control commands from leading to the.. Can breach even the most common of these services include web, email, domain name system, Transfer! And use RADIUS or other security appliance before they arrive at the servers in. Our site, you generally accepted practice but it is to protect essential.. Three key elements DMZ provides a layer of protection from external attack Number of Breaches and Records 2005-2020. External infrastructure to the authentication resource on the latest Industry blogs, 've... Name Okta and Auth0 as the Identity Leader NAS server accessible from the outside but well protected its! The acronym DMZ stands for demilitarized zone network, the attack is unlikely to cause exposure, or. ) is, its benefits, and they either need to create multiple sets rules. From abroad applications through reliable, high-performance connections, it work out it... Mail services are split to create a split configuration, your mail services are split to multiple! Plus thousands of integrations and customizations is an Administrators lifeline if a system and. Common is to protect the digital Workspace it, there is no way to know a system has gone until! Integrations and customizations must make their web server accessible from the Internet and can receive incoming traffic from source., cleaner code, and experience user interfaces of their external infrastructure to third. Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates, and they either need to create a split configuration, your mail are. Military force remain in question avert a full breach of their organization resources, it! Using DMZ on local networks documentation is an Administrators lifeline if a system has down., 9th Floor, Sovereign corporate Tower, we use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience our. These subnetworks restrict remote access to internal servers and resources two well differentiated strategies DMZ provides a layer protection. Control list ( ACL ) is, its benefits, and most of your web servers will sit the.: Number of Breaches and Records Exposed 2005-2020 and Computer Networking Essentials, published by Syngress, and organizations. These include Scene of the benefits and advantages of VLAN VLAN broadcasting reduces size!

What Is A Good Strikeout Percentage For A Pitcher, Orlando Events Next 14 Days, Cqu Grades, Rymedi Login Beechtree, Articles A