Abstract

When it comes to network security, there are many common suggestions from IT professionals, like utilizing robust firewalls and antivirus measures. However, it’s easy to overlook some of these practices, especially if you are not necessarily a trained IT technician. We’re here to provide a short guide to three of the most common security pitfalls organizations like yours will likely face during normal everyday operations.

Protect All Your Endpoints

While you know that it’s important to protect your systems from potential security threats, you need to consider the true breadth of this statement. Your systems include far more than the endpoints your employees use to go about their daily tasks; endpoints include any and all devices that interface with each other, the Internet, or other parts of your in-house network. You’ll need to protect laptops, routers, networking equipment, servers, mobile devices, and even Internet of Things devices that you might not necessarily think to protect yourself from.

Implement Encryption Wherever Possible

Encryption is a vital part of securing any technological asset your company uses. Essentially, encryption scrambles data so that it cannot be deciphered by unauthorized parties, meaning that anyone creeping around on your network cannot view data without the decryption key to reassemble it all. Encryption is incredibly important for remote workers, as well, since they are likely working off the protection of your business’ internal security infrastructure. For employees like this, you can use a virtual private network to encrypt data while it’s moving to and from your network. It basically creates a secure tunnel between devices, allowing only authorized users to access data.

Regularly Conduct Security Audits for Potential Vulnerabilities

Suppose businesses don’t actively conduct security audits regularly. In that case, there is a very real chance that vulnerabilities could go unnoticed and undetected long enough to become an even bigger problem. Businesses should have an established schedule for conducting security audits while also performing penetration testing.

Get Started Today with Our Security Audits and Solutions

Does your business have internal IT staff available to handle the various tasks required for maximum network security? Security shouldn’t be a luxury—after all, it’s a necessity if you want to do business in today’s threat-riddled online landscape. NetMGM can perform a network audit to identify more opportunities to secure your business’ infrastructure from threats of all kinds. Learn more by calling us at 888-748-2525 today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Three Hot-Button Issues for SMB Network Security

Rafiq Masri

With over 25 years of experience in Information Technology, Rafiq is one of the most accomplished, versatile and certified engineer in the field. He has spent the past 2 ½ decades administering and supporting a wide range of clients and has helped position Network Management, Inc. as a leader in the IT Managed Services space.

Rafiq has built a reputation for designing, building and supporting top notch IT infrastructures to match the business objectives and goals of his clients.

Embracing the core values of integrity, innovation, and reliability, Rafiq has a very loyal client base with some customer relationships dating back 20+ years.

Rafiq holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and has completed graduate programs in Software Engineering and Business at Harvard and George Mason University. Rafiq is a former founder and CEO of Automation, Inc. in Ann Arbor, Michigan as well as a valued speaker on entrepreneurship and technology at industry events such as ExpoTech and others.