With so much work done and stored on computers, network security should be a top priority for every business. Everything from customer information and corporate secrets to other important data is stored and transmitted over computer networks, so it’s no surprise that the temptation for criminals to break into your network is great.
In reality, the threat of network intrusion is real, no matter the size of your business. For example, smaller companies, thinking that their networks may not present much of a temptation, may have less secure networks, thus leaving them open to attack.
Imagine what your business would have to lose if a criminal breached your computer network. They may have access to your personal files, client files, credit card numbers, and sensitive financial information. The havoc that a criminal could wreak with just one of these pieces of information is almost unthinkable.
How to protect your network
One part of securing a network is making sure the network is built to be secure. When building a business network, a network architect must determine the best way to secure the network, whether the network is a small network for a small business or one that needs to be integrated as part of a large global business network. Building a secure network starts with choosing your network equipment, including firewalls, routers, and switches.
A much more important part of network security is creating policies that ensure your network is secure by only allowing certain people to use the network for prescribed purposes only. Only allowing authorized users to access a computer network by logging in prevents unknown parties from entering. Similarly, having password policies that require a strong password and teaching users on your network not to share those passwords with unauthorized users also helps keep your network secure.
Additional tips include:
- Identify what might tempt an attack. By taking inventory of your company’s data assets and taking steps to protect those assets by securing your network, you help ensure that your company’s data is safe.
- Institute policies that keep your computers secure while being used by an authorized user, such as preventing or limiting unauthorized downloads or browsing.
- Keep users aware of the simple things they can do, like changing their password regularly, not writing their password down, and not giving it out to anyone.
Following the steps above helps protect your business not only from intrusions, but also from downtime due to malware infections, which can negatively impact your business bottom line.
