The latest in data security.

We’ve all seen the stories in the news:  Major companies and government agencies getting hacked into!  Millions of people who’s personal information has been compromised.  Companies whose communications and intellectual property have been stolen.  Even international espionage carried out over the Internet!  It’s a shocking reality that we have learned to accept as being a way of life.

Many think that only governments and the biggest of companies are at risk.  After all, why would anyone want to hack into my small or medium sized business?  But you might be shocked to learn that the biggest companies are not targeted nearly as often as the rest of us.  Because it is much easier to attack most small to medium sized companies, this is the preferred target of most hackers.  In fact, many companies have been hacked and don’t even know it!

It’s not always information that is being stolen.  Sometimes your internet is slow because someone else is using it.  We know companies whose servers have been used by hackers without the company knowing it.  Some SPAM is being sent from legitimate companies who do not even know that their email servers are being used to send it!

Spyware and malware is often implanted on people’s devices without their knowledge, displaying ads, collecting information, popping up porn, etc.  Worms, trojan horses, phishing schemes, and many more malicious programs could be running on your devices and in your network if you are not security conscious.  Cybercrime these days can range from criminal access to financial accounts, to identity theft, to data theft, to corporate espionage, to vandalism, and more.  Hackers are growing increasingly more sophisticated and are targeting a broader range of companies and individuals.

It doesn’t take much these days to be vulnerable. Poorly designed networks, lack of firewalls and/or packet capture appliances, lack of physical security, lax internal security procedures, poor or outdated anti-virus software, ineffective spam filters, and much more can all lead to security breaches.  Because each situation is different, we do a complete assessment for companies, from which we can recommend specific actions to increase their level of cyber security.  But here are some general points to consider:

1. Physical Security:  The easiest way to steal data from many companies is to simply walk through the front doors and plug in a hard drive.  Stolen laptops have been the cause of more security breaches that just about every other means.  Always start by taking a hard look at the physical security of your network and all of the devices on it.
2. Security Hardware: Firewalls and packet capture appliances are the standard these days, with more sophisticated technology being developed every year.  Because the name of the game is staying one step ahead of the criminals, it is important that this hardware not be very old.
3. Network Design with an Eye on Security: The configuration of your network can often lead to either a more secure environment, or more security breaches.  In many cases, we can make just a few changes to how your network is designed, and vastly increase the level of security.
4. Updated Software: Most software updates include both improvements to the function of the software and improvements to the security features of the software.  This means that outdated software can often create vulnerabilities.  Make sure that all software is constantly being updated.
5. Good Anti-Virus Software: The best will catch not only computer viruses, but a host of other malicious programs.  Make sure you have good software that is kept up to date.
6. Excellent SPAM Filtering: As we all know, too much email is not just a nuisance, it can also be the method by which malicious programs are allowed in to your network.  Good SPAM filtering can save you from a lot of problems.
7. Good Policies for Mobile and Remote Access Devices: As companies are adopting more BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) practices, it is important that all devices that connect to your network are vetted, monitored, and secured.  It is also important to manage the way they access your network.
8. On-Going Maintenance and Support: Our managed services are vital for most companies because they guarantee that security patches are being installed on time, software is being updated on time, vulnerabilities are being addressed quickly, hardware is being updated, and constant monitoring of your systems is catching any attempts to breach your network security.

We are experts in providing the highest levels of cybersecurity.  It starts with meticulous attention to security matters when we design networks.  It continues with the deployment of the latest in security hardware and software.  It even includes training and security protocols for all of your people.  And these days, it extends to the wide range of devices being used to connect to wireless networks.  We can help you to prevent the kinds of attacks and breaches that many other companies have had to deal with.

Your IT security can be one of your competitive advantages.  Clients, vendors, and associates are all increasingly aware of the importance of security.  Your ability to show them a commitment to cybersecurity that is above that of your competitors will go a long way towards increasing your business success.

Because every client’s business is different, all of our assignments start with a comprehensive IT and cybersecurity assessment.  Our risk assessment will score your current level of security and give you a detailed list of things that need to be done to raise your level of IT security.  Based on the IT assessment, we will be able to propose and carryout improvements to your IT platforms.

To see how we can improve your cybersecurity, schedule a comprehensive IT assessment today!  Fill out the form to the right.