By Tan Sarue
Communication is at the core of business, and, in today’s digital world, your network serves as a fundamental backbone. However, with the power of today’s networking infrastructure also comes considerable risk; even a basic breach in security can lead to disastrous results. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to be proactive and keep your network in top shape. Here are a few tips.
Software and Hardware Updates
Networking infrastructure is a combination of both hardware and software, both of which need updates on occasion. As with general computer security, it’s critical that you keep all of your software updated frequently. Most notably, make sure your operating systems are updated as quickly as possible when new security patches are released. Furthermore, make sure you’re keeping an eye on your hardware as well. Devices sometimes need firmware updates to fix viruses, bugs and thus potentially, security problems. Also, make sure to check if any of your motherboards require BIOS updates.
Check Your Legacy Hardware
Most people in charge of security pay close attention to their main operating systems and most commonly used software. However, any weak point on your network is a potential source of hacking, and some of the most consequential hacks have occurred through legacy vectors. If you have an old print server, for example, make sure it’s receiving updates as frequently as needed. In addition, make sure your legacy devices are running software that’s still supported. If an old server is running an unsupported version of Windows or Linux, you’ll likely want to plan for an upgrade promptly.
Human Factor Management
As long as your staff have access to the network, they serve as potential security vulnerabilities. First and foremost, make sure your company has a password policy and, preferably, has some means of enforcing it. Perhaps the biggest risk, however, is phishing attacks, which are only becoming more common and more sophisticated. Ensure your employees are educated about the signs of phishing attacks and consider providing a quick-response service if they receive any messages that seem suspicious.
Permission Management
Educating employees about network security and enforcing rules can go a long way toward keeping your infrastructure safe, but mistakes are sometimes unavoidable. To mitigate the damage done if an employee leaks company data, having a robust permission management system in place can help. Map out which employees need access to which information and assign permissions that only allow access to what’s essential.
Invest in Monitoring Software
With today’s networks being as complicated as they are, it can be tough to have a comprehensive idea of what’s going on at all times. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available for monitoring networking traffic and looking for signs of suspicious activity. Most of these programs can offer automatic alerts if something seems to be amiss, letting you and your security experts know when it’s time to look a bit closer. Avoiding network breaches is the top goal, but detecting breaches and responding promptly can reduce the damage caused considerably.
Your network is an invaluable resource for your business, and it’s hard to think back to how we got work done without both internal networking and the internet. Just like every other digital part of your company’s operations, however, your networking infrastructure needs care and attention. Make sure to take a proactive approach, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.