Avoid the Common Network Security Threats
Cyber criminals never rest, so neither can you and your IT team. Government Technology has indicated that the list of network security threats just keeps growing. These ongoing—and increasing—threats are due to a combination of factors, including an increasing range of available devices, lack of attention and adherence to company technology policies, and the never-ending determination of hackers.
5 Ways to Improve Network Security Without Breaking the Bank
As the gatekeeper for your business’s computing system, you may face the dual challenge of protecting your company’s network while sticking to a budget. You can do both. Consider using a few of the following 5 ways to improve network security without breaking the bank:
1. Start with a Secure Infrastructure.
Ensure that your IT team has installed the latest operating system, along with any necessary applications with related current security patches. Next, make sure that each computer, laptop, tablet, and smartphone has antivirus, spam detection and filtering software, as well as making sure you have solid firewalls. This ongoing daily practice is simple and inexpensive, and with vigilance is a solid foundation to your network security efforts.
2. Set and Enforce Strict Technology Policies.
Given the sheer proliferation of technology in the modern office, organizations need to establish clear rules with which all staff, managers and executives must comply to maintain a secure network at all times. Make sure to address BYOD mobile devices and remote issues to cover all the bases. Write in the requirement that everyone take required courses−ensuring you will provide enough times for them to do so without interrupting their regular work tasks−that reinforce new threats, safety practices and technologies, as available.
3. Step Up Your Firewall Protection.
While new computers come with a pre-installed firewall, it is best that you purchase a business class firewall system that can meet your needs. Business upgraded firewalls offer additional services, including Unified Threat Management (UTM) and others that work double-time to keep your system secure.
4. Encourage Strong Password Strength Policies and Practices.
Hackers and cyber criminals often gain access to your system through employees’ passwords, meaning that creating and updating strong passwords a simple and free security measure. It is important that all employees, managers and executives stay vigilant, regularly updating passwords with something new that is equally strong, or stronger than the one they used before.
5. Encrypt for Anonymity and Protection.
According to Bruce Schneier, “encryption is the most important privacy-preserving technology we have, and one that is uniquely suited to protect against bulk surveillance.” Encryption uses a complex mathematical algorithm to scramble the data on your network, making that data unintelligible to anyone without the specific key to unlock the algorithm.
These simple and inexpensive protective tools and practices can provide you with a solid start toward constructing and maintaining a strong network security plan that you can continue to building on with your own ideas and efforts, especially when you make sure everyone in the company is on board.
Source
http://www.govtech.com/security/Top-10-Network-Security-Threats.html
http://www.optimalnetworks.com/easy-steps-improve-network-security/
