Tag Archive for: Network Security

When it comes to protecting your network, you can always be doing more. In an ever-changing security landscape, securing your network quickly becomes a full-time job. From recognizing and mitigating industry-specific threats to ensuring your threat detection systems are working as intended, comprehensive network security is an ongoing process that requires continuous refinement.

Without a strong security foundation, however, even the most concerted security efforts may be in vain. If you want to maximize your network’s threat intelligence platform, you need to start with a strong security foundation. In this post, we’ll take a look at some fundamental network security strategies and tools that are critical to protecting your day-to-day operations.

Firewalls

A firewall acts as a barrier between your internal network and external networks. Network firewalls are typically physical devices you install as part of your network infrastructure and are generally the first line of defense for your network. At the same time, individual computers also have virtual firewalls built in to protect user data and your system. In today’s world, installing a physical firewall on your network is a critical security strategy businesses of all sizes and in any industry should be using.

Email Security

One of the easiest ways for cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to your network is through targeted emails. That puts email attacks such as phishing among the No. 1 threats to your network security. Developing a comprehensive email security platform is essential if you want to block attacks, keep your network protected, and your team on track.

Application Security

As your business grows, your team will inevitably rely on an increasing number of programs for mission-critical operations. As more applications run on your network, more potential security holes open up as well. With an application security platform securing hardware, software, and data, you can give your team the confidence to grow their processes without worrying about security loopholes giving unauthorized access to cybercriminals.

Antivirus and Antimalware Software

Viruses and malware can infiltrate your network and lie dormant for extended periods without you even realizing your data may have been compromised. Using antivirus and antimalware software to scan for malware on your network while monitoring file traffic to find anomalies, remove malware, and restore data is a fundamental security strategy for any business.

Wireless Security

Securing your wireless networks is substantially different than securing your wired network. Wireless networks are not as secure as wired ones, so if your organization relies on Wi-Fi, you need to make sure you’re deploying tools that keep your wireless access points protected.

Access Control

Not all users on your network should have access to the same data. An access control platform allows you to control which users can access particular data and applications. At the same time, an access control solution allows your network to recognize specific users and devices, making it easier to pinpoint where and how unauthorized access has occurred. You also can use access control systems to block unauthorized devices or users before they even gain access to your network.

Springfield IT Support

If your organization is already using one or more of these strategies to secure your network, you’re off to an excellent start. But if you’re looking for ways to move your security to the next level, PCnet’s managed security service experts are here to help. Get in touch with our team today to begin exploring how much more we can do to keep your network protected at every level.

In today’s workplace, networks have become the backbone of business operations. If your network isn’t working, your team probably isn’t either. As a result, recognizing how your network is under-serving your team’s needs is critical if you want to use your network services to drive growth. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the fundamental indicators that your network is no longer working for you, but, in fact, working against you.

You’re Spending More Time Maintaining Than Improving

When your network is working for you, it should act as a catalyst for growth. If you’ve been investing capital and resources in merely maintaining your network instead of improving it, that’s a sign of a deeper problem. Usually, the problem is your network was built with yesterday’s challenges and threats in mind. With the right network solution, your team will have the tools to recognize inefficiencies and respond to them to increase efficiency. If, on the other hand, your team is forced to maintain basic network functionality without opportunities for network growth, it’s time to start considering a comprehensive network upgrade that’s built to respond to today’s challenges.

You No Longer Feel Secure

Today’s network landscape is vastly different than it was a decade ago. With emerging threats such as ransomware and spearphishing becoming increasingly prevalent, you need a robust security platform with the agility to respond to the latest threats. If your current network security strategies don’t have specific policies to respond to today’s threats, you aren’t ready for tomorrow. You need real-world solutions to real-world threats if you want to keep your network protected and your operations running smoothly.

Your Network Is Slowing Your Team

As your business operations continually evolve, so do your team’s workflows. With more network possibilities than ever before, your organization needs a network built around your unique workflows so you can stay ahead of the competition. In short, your team shouldn’t have to align their operations with your network; your network should work seamlessly alongside their daily tasks. Whether that looks like a cloud solution to access mission-critical data from anywhere, or a managed network service provider to allow your team to stay focused on growing your business, your network needs to be driving growth, not slowing you down.

You’ve Lost Control

If you don’t make a concerted effort to maintain control of your network platform, it can quickly take control of you. How is your network responding to the latest security threats? What strategies does your team have in place to respond to a disaster or network outage? What inefficiencies is your network addressing and how? If you don’t have concrete answers to these questions, that’s a fair indication you’re losing control of your network, and you may need to rethink your network strategies from the ground up.

Springfield IT Support and Network Consulting

At PCnet, we specialize in understanding your network operations from the inside out. Our overarching goal is to show you how a network upgrade is not a liability, but an opportunity for growth. Whether you’re considering network infrastructure improvements or a holistic network redesign, our team has the tools and expertise to align a network solution with your day-to-day operations.

Determining the strengths and weaknesses of your business’s network is the first crucial step in ascertaining what you need to maintain functionality, establish reliable backups, and increase security.

A large security threat is present in the existence of unknown devices attached to your network. Unknown devices might be as harmless as an employee’s iPad, but as dangerous as a skilled hacker. Your network’s security protects more than just your bandwidth. Read more