The importance of driving business forward with security in networking

Businesses working in the age of technology and the ever-evolving business world, must understand the importance of security in networking when it comes to data and other critical information and operations. Now more than ever before, cyber security is an essential part of driving growth, unlocking insights and streamlining success with access to valuable information. Security must be top of mind when driving your business forward so you can remain ahead of cyber criminals who threaten to exploit vulnerable systems and networks.

Network security solutions must be reliable and provide a layer of defense against malicious cyber threats while helping businesses protect confidential information, prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data, and maintain compliance with required regulations.

In this blog post, we’ll explore why security in networking is so important for every business today, review mitigating security risks and communicate strategies for staying safe across multiple levels as well as trends shaping the future landscape. Read on to learn how businesses like yours can stay secure while propelling forward into a highly connected world!

The growth of networking and its importance for businesses

As the world becomes increasingly connected, network technology is more important than ever. With the rise of virtual private network (VPNs), endpoint security solutions and a surge in mobile device usage, networking has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade.

Companies are now actively seeking to fully integrate their existing networks with newer technologies such as cloud computing, big data analytics and software-defined networking (SDN). Industries around the world rely on network traffic to build connections between users, provide access to key services and transmit critical business information. Therefore, it’s essential for organizations to keep up with these rapidly evolving trends in order to remain competitive in today’s digital age.

The security risks associated with networking and how to mitigate them

Networking can be a wonderful tool in today’s society, but it’s not without risks. Unsecured access points can give malicious software access to sensitive information and data loss, as well as allow cybercriminals access to sensitive systems. It’s important to always employ access control methods such as strong passwords and two-factor authentication when creating networks for the greatest security measure available. With that said, even the strongest access control measures might still fall short of providing complete security from cyber threats. Therefore, it’s important to remain vigilant and always take into account the many potential risks associated with networking.

Protecting a network from security threats is of the utmost importance, and organizations should take several measures to mitigate all potential risks.

  • Security protocols and software

An important step is ensuring security protocols and antivirus software are in place and regularly updated. This helps protect from malicious attacks, such as viruses or phishing scams.

  • Penetration Testing

Another important security control is penetration testing which looks for vulnerabilities that allow unauthorized access into the system. To stay ahead of hackers and malicious code, it’s crucial to not only monitor security protocol but also test it on a regular basis using tools like penetration testing tools.

  • Operational Controls

To fully protect the assets of an organization, it’s also important to implement controls to avoid any impact resulting from human error or negligence by providing various levels of access privileges to users, as well as training in cyber security best practices.

Best practices for securing your network and protecting data

Securing your network and protecting data are the cornerstones of establishing a secure and safe business. In order to establish a secure environment, security protocols should be put in place, such as establishing appropriate security policies and restricting access to important information. Follow these best practices to keep your network secure:

Discard or bypass unnecessary data

If you don’t need the data don’t collect it and definitely don’t keep it. For the data you do collect, hold on to it only for the time you need it. Otherwise discard it in a secure way.

Use advanced endpoint detection

Advanced endpoint detection is an application based on machine learning that identifies and responds to information about the compromised endpoint in real time. It collects and analyzes data relating to network hardware devices, endpoint log data, threat intelligence and identifies security breaches, policy violations, false activity and others. These solutions are highly automated and provide an easy way to identify and respond to incoming attacks.

Update passwords periodically

Hopefully your employees understand the importance of not using the default password. Also, it’s necessary to frequently change passwords to avoid any potential security breaches. Mobile devices that connect to the network should have strong passwords as well as firewalls and anti-malware software installed.

Restrict access

Access should be allowed based on the requirements of the job. Limit network use to authorized users and devices.

Update systems

Regular updates to the network ensures that security patches are up-to-date and no vulnerabilities exist for potential attackers.

Creating a disaster recovery plan for your business

A business should have a well-thought out disaster recovery plan in place in order to protect its customers and assets. Business security teams should be made aware of the potential threats, develop solutions for data loss prevention and ensure that managed services are employed to protect sensitive information from cyber attacks.

Having an effective plan in place will enable your firm to respond quickly when incidents occur and restore operations before customers lose confidence or trust in the services you provide. A robust security system can help maintain the security, availability and integrity of data for the long-term benefit of customers and your organization.

The future of networking and security and how you can stay ahead of the curve

Network security is and will remain a priority for businesses as they transition to more remote and cloud-based services. In recent years, the potential threats posed by hackers, viruses and other malicious actors have been increasing in scope and sophistication. To combat this evolving risk landscape, organizations are investing in innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to help detect security breaches quickly. AI can identify attack patterns in network traffic and alert system administrators about any suspicious activity detected on a network. Further, with emerging trends such as 5G networks, edge computing and IoT devices becoming commonplace, businesses should ensure their networks are secured with the latest firewalls and encryption methods to prevent unauthorized access. With all these tools in place, businesses can be confident their networks and data remain safe from external threats now and into the future.

Partnering with a Managed Services Provider

Partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) is one of the most effective ways to ensure that your network remains secure and safe from outside threats. Not only can an MSP provide the technology and expertise needed to manage security risks proactively, but they also have access to up-to-date, industry-leading tools and procedures. In addition to comprehensive security safeguards, MSPs enable you to reduce costs by outsourcing tasks and resources associated with network security. Furthermore, they are often available around the clock to quickly respond to any emerging security issues, greatly reducing the costs and risks associated with a potential data breach. Investing in a robust partnership with an MSP should be a major priority for any business looking to keep their network secure.

Visual Edge IT, Inc. (VEIT) specializes in managed IT services and security, cloud computing, and print/copy solutions for businesses across the U.S. including remote office locations. We offer a full line of office technology and services including 24/7 remote monitoring and administration of networks, service desk, and data backup and restore to improve business processes across a variety of industries. Plus, Visual Edge IT™ represents the industry’s leading manufacturers of office technology allowing businesses to get equipment, supplies and service from a single source. Backed by more than 20-years of technology service and a national network of expert engineers, VEIT is uniquely positioned to support business technology needs. The company is headquartered in North Canton, OH, USA. Request your no-obligation assessment today and get a free dark web analysis.