Anyone running a business needs to be aware of the importance of network security and its effect on the flow of information. Failure to secure a network’s system can result in severe consequences including theft of confidential data, consumer exposure to viruses, spyware, malware, hacking and other security issues. To make sure your network is secured, it is important to understand the risks and the various methods to mitigate those risks.
The term “network” covers any range of computers that are interconnected to exchange information such as documents, messages and emails. The devices that make up the network are called computers or “servers.” A person may use any of these devices or combinations of both to connect to the network.
It is very important to use the best technology available to protect the data on your business network.
Commonly used security technologies include encryption, firewalls, antivirus software and credit card payment gateways. These systems all address specific issues.
There are several types of security software and hardware available to protect computer systems from becoming the target of hackers. These systems include anti-spyware, antivirus software, and firewall systems. The system that the user chooses should be chosen based on the type of activity he or she is expecting to take place. It is important to protect against such activities as phishing, social engineering, identity theft, email fraud, computer intrusion, spam, piracy, and even hacking.
Another security device is remote access. This enables someone to access data on a network by logging onto the system and using a specific password. As more businesses and corporations turn to the Internet for communication, the use of the Remote Access feature becomes increasingly important.
Antivirus Software is another way to help secure a business network. When a network is being accessed remotely by someone who knows the user’s password, it is possible for that person to get hold of all the confidential data. Antivirus software helps protect data from intruders.
Credit Card Gateways is also popular security measures for large corporations. They enable an authorized user to enter the company’s card number and all the information associated with it, and then it is automatically processed and transmitted to the user. It makes it much harder for hackers to steal personal details such as the credit card number and the name of the person with whom the account is opened. It also reduces the likelihood of unauthorized charges being made.
There are many levels of file-level security.
File level security, or FTP security, allows users to control access to files from all over the world, but only one user can have any one file. Direct file security allows a single user to open files that are only owned by the user. Data security, or DNS security, requires each user to have a unique DNS name.
It is also important to have systems in place that are password protected, so that only the authorized users have access to documents. This will prevent employees from trying to access the sensitive information in their own emails. Employees must understand that when they share office space with one another, there are some documents that must remain on each user’s computer.
In addition to protecting the information in the office, businesses must also protect their corporate assets, such as laptops, mobile devices, office supplies and other equipment. Mobile devices are another big concern because they can easily be stolen and used for malicious purposes. Theft can also occur when someone uses one’s mobile device to access data that has been saved on a computer.
Even if a business is well-protected, business networks are never completely safe from hackers. A rogue employee or a disgruntled employee may view the network as a potential target for a work-related invasion. When a network is targeted by a hacker, there are ways to protect the network.
Most businesses that were attacked would benefit from a dedicated monitoring program that would allow them to trace the IP address and track the movement of the criminal organization. Another way to protect a network is to have a very strict firewall that blocks any unauthorized connections to the network.