Your Network is Your Business – Keep it Secure

Ensuring Complete Network Security

Network security has gone from being static to dynamic within the past decade. Traditionally, security lay at the bottom of the priority list with a few routine tasks associated with it such as backup and clean-up. That is until networking, virtualization and cloud computing came along and changed things. In the earlier scenario, when a security breach occurred, only the computer on which the breach occurred was affected. With more and more devices being connected, the entire network is at risk even if just one device is compromised. Networking and virtualization have also posed some new security risks as has cloud computing. We at Geex make it our business to find out what these risks are and how you can deal with them. Here’s a list of precautions you can take to protect your network.

Virus Scans

The oldest and the most trusted way to avoid virus, worms, and other malware, is to use a security suite. Yes its tiresome when you boot up and your computer makes you wait while it runs the virus scan but remember its not just your computer or node but the entire network that’s at risk. Also remember to keep your security suite up to date so that it can take care of all the new malware that is released almost every day! At Geex we have a practice of monitoring the update of every security suite we install or manage. We also keep track of any new malware that has emerged and its antidote.

SPAM and Phishing Filters

Although harmless, spam has a high nuisance value when it keeps appearing in your in-box. Phishing on the other hand can be really harmful if it succeeds in extracting personal and sensitive information. Most email service providers have built in filtering for spam and phishing. There are also some commercially available filters that you can use. Stay up-to-date on the latest about these filters and ensure that you are not bothered by Spam and Phishing.

Encryption

Some unscrupulous individuals use a program known as a packet sniffer to cull information from data packets flying across the internet. If your information is encrypted though, the sniffer will be unable to make sense of the information culled. Make sure all information you send out is encrypted. Many sites and service providers have inbuilt software for encryption and decryption. If your data is really sensitive, you can purchase stronger software – or have your own code written – to make the transmission even more secure. We at Geex can help you obtain the software and keep it up to speed.

Mind the Hardware

One much ignored breach is loss of hardware. With more and more people using mobile devices, loss of hardware can lead to a serious breach in the database. Cloud computing complicates things further since many of the devices are logged on to clouds which house business databases. The solution to this problem is not as simple as installing a software – though you may need that too. What is required is a complete security protocol for one and all. We at Geex can study your business and recommend the best protocol for you.

Sign Out and Stay Secure

“Do you want staff to to remember the password for this site?” Sounds familiar? And we all too often hit yes thinking “What if I forget the password?” But this can be a dangerous practice especially if you are using a shared computer on a network. Never leave a computer signed in. And of course you should never ask your computer to remember your password for you. Change your password frequently. Clear the cache frequently. Check the Delete History box on your browser setting. Phew! That’s a lot to remember right? We can help by establishing the protocol for you.

Pssst! BYOD

This one is really tricky! When employees change jobs, they often carry their mobile device with them. The best thing to do for this is to present your employees with office devices which they leave back when they quit. What happens when you upgrade though? Well back to protocol! Esta     blish a clear protocol for disposing obsolete hardware safely. Make sure all sensitive data is deleted before it leaves your office premises.

Summing up ….

In today’s world where people conduct their day to day transactions using their mobiles, security becomes a great concern. However, as the risks increase, the security solutions improve too. We at Geex can help you manage your network ensuring complete security for your data. Just leave your name and number and we’ll tell you how.