Due to the convenience of ADSL & Leased Lines being permanently connected to the Internet we unfortunately find our Servers at risk to intruders from the outside world. These threats can obviously have serious implications on a business.
Therefore we need to implement a Firewall solution. This can be either, or both a Hardware or Software solution depending upon security level requirements. All data passing through the Firewall is checked & blocked when applicable to prevent unauthorised user connectivity & to eliminate exposure.
Due to so many different IT infrastructures we advise upon carrying out a site visit to determine the best option available for that particular site. This then enables us to advise upon the best options available & to prepare a competitive quotation accordingly.
Every company should have a comprehensive security strategy. This should involve the integration of numerous technologies into a solid security policy. This two-pronged approach, combining technology and business practices, offers the best chance at keeping a network secure.
There are many tools and methods to protect your business:
- Firewalls
Corporate firewalls are a necessity. Yet it’s also wise to install personal firewalls on individual PCs that workers use to access the network remotely. Some personal firewalls also monitor outgoing traffic and alert users when an unauthorized program tries to send data across the Internet. - Network infrastructure
Switches and routers have hardware and software features that support secure connectivity, perimeter security, intrusion protection, identity services, and security management. - Network monitoring
Routers can mitigate denial-of-service attacks by limiting the bandwidth available to each type of application, thus making bandwidth unavailable to attackers. - Access control
Perimeter and physical security are essential. In addition, easy-to-use authentication, authorisation, and accounting services ensure that only authorised users gain access to the network. - Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
These networks provide access control and data encryption between two different computers on a network. This allows remote workers to connect to the network without the risk of a hacker or thief intercepting data. - Anti-virus software
A growing number of companies and Internet service providers are using anti-virus software at gateways to combat the onslaught of viruses, worms and Trojan horses. - Intrusion detection and protection
Port scans and denial-of-service attacks are an ongoing reality on the Internet —and a firewall can’t protect against them. However, intrusion detection and protection tools can identify potential threats and allow a company to take immediate action to block a hacker or a particular IP address that’s being used to launch an assault. Packet analysis tools allow even more sophisticated detection. In addition, host-based intrusion detection can protect servers from attack, particularly when a Trojan horse or worm such as Nimda or Code Red gets inside the firewall and infects PCs across a network. - Encryption
Unsecured e-mail and documents can represent a threat for organisations sending sensitive data across the Internet. Likewise, wireless local-area networks lacking encryption create an easy way for data thieves to steal information. - Secure wireless local-area network access
The use of wireless local-area networks (WLANs) within corporate intranets is soaring. Employees like the freedom and mobility that WLANs provide, and companies like the increased employee productivity they bring, which enhances the bottom line. But IT managers see the risks of illegitimate network access from rogue access points and unauthorized client devices. To mitigate attacks and keep the network secure, corporate WLANs need to be installed with robust authentication and encryption capabilities.