Which direction of traffic should you use IP lists for?

Using IP lists for North/South traffic is appropriate because this type of traffic generally involves communication between an organization's internal network and external networks, such as the internet. This traffic often represents crucial entry and exit points for data and services.

When configuring security measures such as IP lists, organizations focus on controlling access to and from these external sources to protect sensitive information and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. By managing North/South traffic, administrators can define which external IP addresses are permitted or blocked from accessing specific services within the internal network.

In contrast, East/West traffic refers to communications occurring between devices or applications within the same internal network. While it is also important to monitor and secure this traffic, IP lists are typically leveraged more for controlling North/South flows where external interaction poses a higher risk and requires strict access management. This targeted control helps prevent unauthorized access from outside the organization, ensuring a more robust security posture overall.