Which step should a company take to improve the security of a network switch that has been breached through default credentials?

Changing the default credentials of the network switch is a critical step in enhancing its security after a breach. Default credentials are widely known and easily accessible, making systems vulnerable to unauthorized access. By setting unique and strong passwords, the company can significantly limit the risk of further breaches through the same vulnerabilities.

The action of changing default credentials directly addresses the root cause of the breach, which is the use of easily guessed or default password combinations that attackers can exploit. If the default credentials are not changed, any future attempts to access the switch—whether by the same attacker or others—would be easily successful.

While implementing firewalls, enabling MAC address filtering, or disabling remote access can contribute to overall network security, they do not directly resolve the specific vulnerability posed by default credentials. These measures may strengthen the network’s defenses but do not provide the immediate remediation required for the specific security issue at hand. Hence, changing the default credentials is the most effective and direct approach to securing the compromised switch.