Chapter 1 – Security solutions your business must have

Statistics from 2017 reveal that more than 130 large-scale, targeted data breaches were occurring in the United States annually, and the numbers were only seen to rise every year. As if their increasing frequency wasn’t enough, each malware attack could cost up to $2.4 million to resolve — a figure not many companies can afford without making a dent on their finances.

Fortunately, data breaches are preventable. As cyberattacks evolve, so do the tools and strategies designed to combat them. Investing in these solutions is a good start to augmenting your company’s defenses and protecting your data from theft and loss:

#1. Firewall

The name may call to mind a solid wall, similar to its namesake in construction, but a firewall is best compared to a filter. It is a program that stands between your network and the rest of the internet, allowing you to limit the flow of information across and between both sides. You can also use it to limit the websites that your network’s users have access to.

Despite its apparent simplicity, many modern companies consider firewalls as a fundamental part of their cybersecurity array. By limiting traffic to and from untrustworthy online sources, they lower the possibility of your network suffering from an attack of malware, such as viruses, Trojans, and worms. They can also frustrate attempts by hackers to enter your system.

Firewalls offer reliable protection, but by themselves, they may not be enough to defend your network from increasingly complex threats. They are best used in conjunction with other cybersecurity solutions and strategies.

#2. Managed detection

Imagine being able to spot threats from a mile away — even in cybersecurity, early detection is key to adequate preparation, effective protection, and quick resolution. Managed detection is a service that identifies and eliminates cyberthreats even before they can damage your network and, consequently, harm your business.

The service combines automation, analytics, and the input of IT experts who monitor your system 24/7. Among the best-known providers of comprehensive managed detection are managed IT services providers (MSPs), whose experts can also respond to any threat remotely.

#3. Anti-malware program

Multiple examples of decent, free antivirus software abound on the internet, but the level of protection they offer does not meet your business’s needs. They are usually “samplers” of larger, more complex programs, so the variety of malware they can protect your network from is severely limited.

If you want comprehensive protection, you need a true anti-malware solution that protects your network not just from viruses, but from other cyberthreats such as Trojans, worms, adware, spyware, phishing, and ransomware.

To clarify, most antivirus software in the market can handle these threats just fine, but you can enjoy the full capabilities of these programs only if you buy their full versions. If you are overwhelmed by the sheer variety of anti-malware solutions available in the market, an MSP can help you choose one that suits your business’s needs and budget.

#4. PKI services

Public key infrastructure (PKI) is a security approach that combines identity authentication, data encryption, and digital signatures. It allows two electronic entities to confirm each other’s identities and securely exchange confidential and encrypted information. You can encrypt your data even without PKI, but you will have no means of confirming the other party’s identity.

The most common example of PKI is “HTTPS” or the small padlock symbol on the left side of your internet browser’s address bar, but the term also covers the following:

  • Multifactor authentication – This is a system that requires one or more authentication methods besides your login credentials before you can be allowed entry.
  • Digital signature – This is a guarantee that the contents of a message have not been tampered with during transit.
  • Email encryption – This process encrypts the contents of your emails, rendering them unreadable by other entities besides their intended recipients.
  • Code protection – This encrypts proprietary codes to prevent malicious parties from getting access to and tampering with them.
  • IoT device identification – This provides a unique identity to devices integrated into the Internet of Things (IoT), allowing for a secure exchange of information.

The internet lets you exchange information with your vendors, employees, clients, and peers, but it also leaves you vulnerable to malware and cyberattacks. Thankfully, you are anything but defenseless. Turn to experts for help in implementing cybersecurity solutions that will protect your data and your business.

Chapter 2: Network security recommendations for small businesses

Learn the simplest ways to keep your business data safe from cybersecurity threats.

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Zeta Sky

Zeta Sky

Elevating Business Technology

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