Whether you are a small start-up organization with only one or two people, or a large international corporation, network security needs to be a priority. If your network is not properly protected, you open yourself (and all of your data) up to hackers, viruses, and a whole host of other issues.
With so many new and changing technologies out there, it can be difficult not to get swept up in the excitement. But if your don’t keep your eye on the ball, you could end up with a room full of really pretty equipment that isn’t doing anything.
Meet Ben, Network Depot’s Chief Technical Officer
Here are the top 5 things you need to know about Network Security:
Firewall
The firewall acts as the gates for your system. You specify what is allowed in and out, and it keeps everything in line. Picture a bouncer at a club. That bouncer has a specific list of who is and is not allowed in the club, and he is sticking to that list no matter how much you bribe him. A good firewall is like your network’s bouncer.
Spam Filter
This is an essential part of your email system. Without a good spam filter you are going to be bombarded by hundreds of junk emails every day. These junk emails are more than just annoying, they will automatically add you to lists and send you viruses. The spam filter will also protect you from dangerous attachments, and most importantly, it provides you with business continuity so that if your email service goes down, you will be able to access your email from your spam filter program.
Anti-Virus
This might seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised at how many organizations don’t have a good anti-virus program on their network. Or – and sometimes this is worse – they have too many! What you want is ONE good program. Having more than one anti-virus program is not the same as putting on an extra layer of protection. In fact, they tend to cancel each other out and just cause more problems.
Pop-up Blockers
If your pop-up blocker is working correctly, you won’t even notice it’s there. But, if it stops working, you will definitely know it. Not only does your pop-up blocker prevent unwanted pop-ups from cluttering your screen and adding to your frustration, it also prevents dangerous pop-up ads that will automatically download viruses to your computer, even if you don’t click on them.
User Training
Without a doubt, this is the number one essential feature for network security. You can have the best anti-virus, spam filter, firewall, etc. But, if your employees don’t know what they shouldn’t be clicking on, and if they are going to sites they shouldn’t be going to, all the network security in the world won’t help you.
Luckily, we have prepared something that will help. We have a free e-book available that will help you and other people in your company understand how to be a smarter user, and dramatically decrease your chances of compromising your network security.
Click Here to Download the “Surf Smart” E-book
Security is only one aspect of network support, but it is a vital one. While network security is an incredibly broad and complicated topic, if you begin with these 5 basic steps, and work with your IT support team, you will be well on your way to protecting your network from a whole host of cyber threats.