When it comes to network security, it is easy for small to medium sized businesses to say “not me”, “they are only after the big guys.” The reality is that attacks on all networks have been increasing year after year as hackers have become more sophisticated, and small businesses are being affected every day by relaxed or non-existent security policies.  Hackers love small businesses precisely because so many business owners think they don’t need to invest in security technologies!

A 2013 study showed that 1 in every 5 small businesses networks would be compromised. With the ever-increasing technological advances, it is likely that since then, these numbers have climbed, posing a significant risk for a potential breach, lost or stolen data, or some type of malicious threat.

We minimize risk by employing a layered approach to security for our managed services plan clients;

  • Updates- Keeping computers and network equipment updated is one of the most effective steps to preventing a possible network security issue.
  • Firewall- A common mistake in small to medium business networks is the lack of a business grade firewall solution. Often business owners are unaware of the difference between having a network router and having a network firewall in place.  A firewall offers customizable policies to allow certain kinds of traffic to pass while blocking others.  It can contain intrusion detection / intrusion protection features to watch for traffic that exhibits patterns of known attacks, and our firewalls can monitor/filter/block website visits.
  • Passwords- Password and password protection are proving to be an area that needs attention when discussing network security. Using sophisticated software and tools, hackers are easily gaining access to small business networks through simple or default passwords
  • Antivirus/Antispam- Most people know that antivirus and antispam software are necessary components of network security, but many people don’t realize why it’s so important until their computer or network is infected with a virus, malware, spyware, or a host of other potentially dangerous issues.
  • User Training – We can implement a fake series of e-mail messages designed to get employees to fall for hacking ruses the same as if they were real. Then we can compile the results into a report. The results are provided not for punitive purposes.  The idea is to train your employees to be aware of how the threats arrive and how to respond to minimize the chances of a successful attack.

 

No matter the size of your business, network security is a definite requirement for every business in the digital age. If you are worried or unsure of where to start with an internal security audit, our team can help get you on track.