As the technology landscape becomes more complex, cybercriminals will continue to develop software searches for vulnerabilities in any business network. Once the criminals find security breaches, they can use your network to steal information, exploit targets for money, distribute spam to other networks, and promote their agenda.
If you think your business is too small for a hacker to attack, think again. According to PC World, 31% of cyber-attacks target small businesses. Worse, 60% of the SMBs affected went out of business.
What if you lack the staff to manage your network? A managed service provider can review, monitor, and maintain your network for a low monthly rate. They can help you protect your network by finding security holes, configuring your firewall to allow certain applications to access the network, executing a powerful Intrusion Prevention System, and setting up employee technology use policies. Furthermore, they’ll use a comprehensive monitoring system to ensure the safety of your network.
What are the benefits of a network security plan?
- Protects against business disruption: Your employees could be working from a slow computer, whether it’s from bloated upgrade patches or from a recent malware attack. Worse, your website may be down, and your customers cannot order your products and services. A complete network security plan can lessen these instances plus offer increased productivity and decreased revenue loss.
- Helps you manage your business reputation: An unprotected network can open the door for a hacker to hijack your website and post any topic they feel like. For example, the cybercriminal group Lulzsec defaced the PBS.org site with a suggestion that Tupac was still alive and living in New Zealand. A network security plan can help your business remain in control of its digital assets by using an Intrusion Prevention Service to stop these exploits from happening. Staying in control of your network activity will help keep your business’ reputation intact.
- Helps company meet industry compliance standards: Audits from the government and your industry bureau can come at any time. For example, if your company is not encrypting sensitive data, the governing agency can impose a heavy fine. A comprehensive network security plan helps your company guard your databases and ensure the privacy and integrity of confidential data.
- Protects customer data: If a hacker reaches your database and collects customer credit card data, bank account records, and social security numbers, your customers can become victims of identity theft and then take legal action against your business. A network security plan can include buying SSL certificates so bad actors can’t intercept online registration and transactions. Plus, the “HTTPS” in the browser address can assure your customers your business is a trustworthy place to buy products and services.
- Allows an employee to work remotely: A network security plan can allow an employee to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). The VPN can give employees easy, secure access to the tools they need to perform their day-to-day tasks. That way, your business can add new office branches quickly, allow workers flextime, and hire top-notch talent from anywhere in the world.
Protect your business now by contacting SwiftTech Solutions for a review of your network security. You can call 877-794-3811 or email info@swifttechsolutions.com for a free consultation.
SOURCES:
Cisco. What is Network Security? Retrieved from: http://www.cisco.com/cisco/web/solutions/small_business/resource_center/articles/secure_my_business/what_is_network_security/index.html
Arar, Y. Small-Business Network Security 101. (2009, July 1). Retrieved from: http://www.pcworld.com/article/167647/network_security.html
Bradley, T. Secure your small-business network without spending a dime. (2013, September 5). Retrieved from: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048137/secure-your-small-business-network-without-spending-a-dime.html
Poremba, S. 7 Steps Toward Better Small Business Security. (2013, October 3). Retrieved from: http://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com/technology-web/2013/10/03/7-steps-toward-better-small-business-security/
Sutton, C. When the Pros Secure Your Network You Keep Away the Cons. (2013, November 27). Retrieved from: http://smallbiztrends.com/2013/11/secure-your-network.html
CIOL Bureau. Top 10 tips to make your business secure. (2013, November 27). Retrieved from: http://www.ciol.com/ciol/features/202175/top-tips-business-secure/page/1
Slade, H. How Small Businesses Can Win On Security And Speed This Cyber Monday. (2013, November 26). Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/hollieslade/2013/11/26/how-small-businesses-can-win-on-security-and-speed-this-cyber-monday/
Pascucci, M. Key steps to perform a successful information security gap analysis. (2012, March). Retrieved from: http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/tip/Key-steps-to-perform-a-successful-information-security-gap-analysis
Watchguard. Network Security Essentials for Your New Small Business. Retrieved from: http://www.watchguard.com/tips-resources/grc/wp-network-security-essentials-for-your-small-business.asp