Computer Security

Today our computer systems are under attack from so many different sources. A well designed system should protect us by using the the following components:

• Firewall to protect from hackers, and Internet access control
• Antivirus to protect us from virus attacks and set to work transparently
• Content Filtering for eliminating unwanted Internet content and email content from coming in or going out
• Physical Security against such mishaps as theft, vandalism, etc. and also disasters both natural or man-made such as fire, flood, earthquake, etc.
• Proper Internal Safeguards such as server based requirements for passwords. We may further need to protect other sensitive data by using sophisticated encryption techniques.
• Human error an often overlooked subject but proper training and other measures are necessary to complete the last part of security.

The following are the important security protection issues and tools to have, starting with one of the most overlooked subjects, firewalls.

Why Do We Need a Firewall?

It is nearly impossible for a business to be competitive without some kind of broadband Internet Access today. This means your connection is usually always on and thus expose your network to the Internet.

• Today, more than ever, your company's network is increasingly under attack from a wide range of hacker threats.
• Protect your users and your company from unauthorized web access that could prove damaging to your data or employee productivity.
• Another firewall use is to control internal access to the Internet and thus providing sound and productive guidelines for staff to be more productive.

What is a Firewall:

• A firewall is a component of a well designed network that controls access inside or outside of the network.  Firewalls are mainly used between your local network and Internet.

• With a firewall, we can let any kind of access to our computers pass through while at the same time, blocking hackers from breaking into our computers.

• Firewalls can also be used to set policies for internal staff to access only certain areas of the Internet, or even control content that will be allowed to view.

• If we are to look at firewalls as security risk prevention, we must also remember that many operating systems have known vulnerabilities that hackers prey on, that are constantly exposed and eventually addressed by their vendors. We must always be checking our systems for these issues. Any security policy must maintain upgrades for all components of an information system.

Types of Firewall:

There are two main ways firewalls come in, hardware based or software based;

• Some hardware based firewalls also come with built in Virus protection and other capabilities.
• Software based firewalls are more configurable and customizable and gives management better handle on all firewall related activities on a periodic basis.
  

BENEFITS of Firewall Protection:

By using a well designed and configured firewall we will avoid problems such as:

• Your computers being illegally scanned for credit card number and other financial information.

• Hackers trying to cause damage to your computers' hard drive or even motherboards.

• Others spying on your activities, keystroke by keystroke, using a Trojan horse they have inserted without your awareness on a continuous basis.

• Others spying on your Instant Messaging activities

• Others spying and going through all your personal emails

• Others creating an overload on your Internet connection so that your Web sites and/or real internal users can not perform anymore.

• Your internal users will only go to designated sites to get their work done and not be distracted by the availability of other sites.

• Any content coming into your network can be scanned for undesirable words and can be stopped.

• You can get reports on any hacker attempts together with reports on all your user activities.

Why Antivirus Protection?

• Thousands of viruses are created everyday which means no computer is safe without Antivirus protection.  

• Viruses can come and infect us from multiple sources.  From a floppy used to copy information from one computer to another to a simple "I love you" email that we can receive.  Hackers that infiltrate our computers may embed Trojan horse viruses to capture sensitive information from your computer.

• Even software CD ROM’s from the top level software companies were found to be infected by virus, probably inserted by a disgruntled employee.

• The latest type of viruses can even infect your computer just by visiting a malicious web site.

• It is important for us to remember that any Anti Virus solution systems are only as good as their virus definitions staying up-to-date.  Too often, organizations forget to regularly update their antivirus definitions even though definitions determine which viruses an antivirus application will detect and remove.  Because new viruses are released on an almost daily basis, regular anti-virus updates are essential.

Types of Antivirus Protection:
There are basically two approaches to virus protection, server based and client based;

• Server based antivirus checks and receives all virus definitions daily and will update all client units without any user intervention.  We can see all client units from the server as to their proper functionality, inspect their quarantine issues and clean up any remnants without having to go to each unit physically.  If you have remote offices, telecommuters, or out-of-office sales team, we can protect them all and from a central location. We can also setup the server to email us any of your problems, in case a virus attacks your system, so we can monitor the issue from our company's central control location.

• Client based means each computer has to be maintained by getting updates for virus definitions on a daily basis.  Some viruses will get quarantined.  Most will need to be cleaned. Nevertheless, we must monitor all clients individually, and thus this becomes a large task for anyone to handle alone. There usually is no email warning generated by client based solutions either.

Content Filtering:

We can filter Internet Browsing and also incoming and outgoing emails for their contents to protect the company information, protect from legal procedures because of improper use of language on emails. We can use this same system to restrict sites that can be browsed from company computers.

Physical Security and Disasters:

Often overlooked again, the physical security of the server plays a big role in the overall security of a well designed office computer system. We must be prepared with a sound disaster recovery plan just in case any of these unforeseen and unfortunate events may hit our business place. We can elaborate on this subject during our consultation period. But the most important part of this subject is our preparedness with sound Disaster Recovery measures.

Proper Internal Safeguards:

On server based computer systems we may implement higher security requirements for passwords at many levels. We may further protect other sensitive data by using sophisticated encryption techniques.

Human Error:

We must train and remind our staff not to share their passwords, never to give it away to anyone, to make sure and change passwords of employees that no longer work for our firm, etc.

With more than 24 years experience in IT and business, we have been leading our clients to maximum performance and profitability. Our goal has always been to become an invaluable part of your team. We invite you to call us at (877) 375-1200 for a NO-COST Consultation. Once we get started we are confident our thorough business analysis will show you our commitment to become Your Technology Partner and help Grow Your Business.

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