You may think that your small business is of no interest to hackers. In fact, taking control of all or part of your network and using those resources is quite attractive for a number of reasons. Much of the data on your network is of more value than you may realize. Rather than run the risk of having proprietary data stolen or otherwise manipulated, it pays to ensure your approach to business network security Seattle includes each of these elements. While there are more, these will provide a solid foundation for your security efforts.
A Strong Firewall
Your effort should begin with a firewall that’s capable of fending off most threats. Invest in software that updates regularly to protect the network from the most recent viruses, spyware, and other forms of malware. You also want a firewall that’s capable of capturing data about any attempts to breach the network. A combination of proper configuration, regular updates, and active reporting will go a long way toward keep you safe.
Remember that every aspect of your network needs to be protected by the firewall. That includes any secondary or backup servers that are present. The last thing you need is for the network to become vulnerable because you press a backup server into action while the primary one is being repairs or reconfigured.
Adequate Wireless Protection
How often do your employees use wireless connections to access the network? In many working environments today, wired devices are rarely used. It’s a lot easier to ensure the network is robust enough to allow multiple wireless connections at the same time. The only thing is that those connections need to be protected.
Take a good look at the security surrounding those wireless connections. How difficult would it be for someone to hijack one of them? If you fear that it wouldn’t take a lot of effort, something needs to be done now. A security expert can provide some suggestions on how to keep those in-house connections more secure.
Device Management That Includes Tablets and Mobile Phones
Do you issue employees phone and tablets? If so, there needs to be protection software loaded on to each device. This works in tandem with your network protections. That’s because the software helps to block unauthorized access even if an employee is using a public connection while grabbing a cup of coffee. The goal is to ensure that any attempted hack is blocked by software residing on the device itself.
Email Protection
Whether your company prefers to use an email client or function with Internet-based email only, there are still threats in the form of infected attachments or even worms that are embedded in the emails proper. While most providers do offer some security, especially for Internet-based solutions, it pays to have software to scan emails and attachments before they’re opened. All it takes is one innocent looking email to bring your entire network down.
Begin with these basics and then move on to other aspects of business network security Seattle. If you’re not sure what needs to be updated, replaced, or added to the mix, talk with an expert today. The efforts that you make now could make all the difference tomorrow.