If you have your own network infrastructure, then you know how stressful it is to not know for sure if your network is secure! A data breach could cost your company dearly, especially if it involves the loss of other people’s private information. There are several things you can start doing today to increase the security of your network infrastructure and help mitigate the possibility of a breach.
1. Use a Firewall
This first tip may seem obvious, but you’d be shocked by how many people are worried about network infrastructure security but haven’t yet put up a firewall. Consider the firewall your gatekeeper. It’s the first and strongest line of defense your network has against potential intruders. A firewall sets up a perimeter around your network, kind of like a moat around a castle. It will deny unauthorized users access to anything inside that border, including attempts to gain access internally.
2. Monitor your Network’s Traffic
Keeping an eye on the type of traffic you’re receiving is very important in mitigating the effects of a breach and maintaining network infrastructure security. Unfortunately, no defenses are perfect when it comes to cybersecurity, and cybercriminals always seem to find methods of gaining access to a network, even when you have firewalls that are set up correctly. By monitoring your network’s traffic for suspicious activity, you may not be able to prevent any break-ins, but you will be able to identify them, know they occurred – and more importantly, deal with any possible damage or loss immediately.
3. Find Holes in Your Network
Several IT firms can be contracted to do this kind of work for you. Ensuring that you don’t have any apparent vulnerabilities is essential to network infrastructure security for obvious reasons. It is very possible that your network could have a massive opening in it, right now, that you are unaware of. Finding and fixing this hole should be a top priority for any business owner or network administrator.
4. Use SSL Encryption
Most people have heard of SSL encryption in passing, but it is often not implemented correctly or utilized often enough. SSL, or secure socket layer, is a form of encryption that protects your data as it passes from the browser on your server to the client that is hosting the website you are trying to access. The most vulnerable time for your data is during transmission from the browser on your server to the client; once it’s out of your network, it’s out of your control. Using an SSL encryption will reduce the threat to your data when it’s out in the world and beyond the protection of your firewall.
Fidelus Technologies, based out of New York City is a Professional and Managed Information Technology Services company focused on customer success and business efficiency. Our services provide seamless networking, data center, wireless, security and unified communications expertise for medium and enterprise sized businesses. We have a consultative life cycle approach that includes requirements gathering, assessments, solution design, planning, project management, engineering, adoption and evolution (training) services to fully support the IT needs of your organization.
If you’re looking for more information on how Fidelus can help with your organizations technology please contact us here. To access our in-depth analysis on how IT teams across the country are using IT services and products within their organization please visit our infocenter by clicking on the link below.
2017 U.S. IT Services Report sponsored by Fidelus
