The Complete Guide To Securing Your Company’s Network

The threats of cybersecurity attacks and hacking aren’t limited to large enterprises. The importance of securing your company’s network could not be understated.

Small and medium-sized businesses frequently face these threats, too. According to a UPS Capital report, small and medium-sized businesses represent almost two-thirds of companies that experience a cybersecurity breach in the United States.

Moreover, data breaches continue to climb and went from just 200 data breaches in 2005 to 1,300 in 2017. With data breaches forecasted to rise, it’s important to be aware of some of the top types of security breaches your company is up against and how to secure your company’s network. Here’s how you can get it done.

Internal Hacking

Skilled internal hackers or rogue insiders are known for exploiting company computer networks thanks to their knowledge and access to sensitive company data. These hackers are different from external hackers because they often have full access to company data and may be former or current employees or even contractors who may use thumb drives or other company hardware outside the network for ill intent.

You can curtail internal hacking by limiting access to sensitive data to a small group of administrators. Keep track of high-risk roles by tracking and auditing employee access points and activity. Also, consider limiting what information can leave the building.

Social Engineering

Social engineering is one of the easiest ways for hackers to access your company’s network to launch a ransomware attack. External hackers use social engineering as a tactic to easily infiltrate your computer network just from asking the right people the right questions or researching their patterns. For example, hackers can phish for information from unsuspecting workers over the phone or using scareware to trick employees into thinking they have a virus on their computer.

You can prevent social engineering by using web gateways and regularly implementing penetration testing. You can also leverage the help of a managed service provider, such as CentrexIT, to provide network management services. You can also keep your employees from using public networks and reduce risks of data breaches by leveraging a virtual private network or VPN.

Viruses

Viruses are one of the most common threats that hurt a company and often implemented from external hackers. Your employees can easily and unknowingly download a virus just from opening up a fake email or visiting an unsecure website. To prevent this, always train your employees on how to identify phishing emails and how to quickly verify if a site is secure. You can also set up a company network to block users from accessing sites that are not secure and not allow employees to use their personal email while at work. Also, regularly use anti-virus software to detect viruses and ensure all workstations have an active virus scanner in place.

Ransomware

Ransomware is continuing to be an issue for small to medium-sized businesses as hackers costing as much as $100,000 per incident. Hackers can easily exploit vulnerabilities in your computer network. Hackers withhold information or access to your network in return for payment in cash or cryptocurrency. One way to circumvent this is to backup your data. This allows you to easily restore your network and data to a point before the incident took place. This can also help to see when the attack took place and help you prevent any future attacks that would use the same method.

Final Thoughts

Your company network is the heartbeat of your business. Thus, it’s critical to ensure it is secure and that everyone who has access to it receives security training and is authorized to use it. By taking these measures, you can better protect your computer network.