It can often seem like a daunting task maintaining online security in the 21st century, especially for a small business that isn’t aware of how to get the necessary assistance. For those hoping to bolster their business’ cyber safety, we have a few helpful options that are sure to get you on your feet.
Getting help
For those that don’t believe that they can handle the stresses and potential threats to their business’ longevity, managed IT services are a fantastic way to place that security in the hands of professionals. While often overlooked by smaller companies, these services are widely accepted as a fantastic financial choice by larger institutions such as schools, hospitals and manufacturers. However, the benefits of having a separate company handling your cyber security and maintenance has resounding benefits for the vast majority of businesses of all sizes.
Not only can these services work to keep your network safe, they are also capable of repairing more minor issues as they happen, and allow your institution or business to maintain productivity without fear of unexplained drops or corruptions. Also, in the event that something does go awry, a wide range of these IT maintenance services will keep an up to date backup of your system for immediate retrieval.
That being said, while these services are a fantastic option, there are still ways to bolster security without the need for outside assistance.
Firewall
A service built into the majority of major operating systems, a firewall is the integral starting point of your entire cyber defence. In simple terms, a firewall is either a hardware (router) or software tool that prevents outside viruses, people and programs from forcing their way into your system. While not a flawless barricade, a computer or network without a firewall in place has a significantly higher chance of becoming exposed to cyber attacks than a more heavily protected system.
Luckily, for the most part, the built-in firewall of your OS will be able to detect most websites that harbour malicious content, and warn you before proceeding into more concerning territory. Virus developers and hackers alike have both had quite some time to develop their strategies of infiltrating networks, so it’s good to know that systems such as Windows, Mac OS and Linux continue to update their software for the modern age.
Occasionally ensuring that your firewall is working correctly, and updating when necessary, should be enough to alleviate most potential threats.
Utilising an extranet
Some of our readers may be unfamiliar with the term, but those of you that went to high school in the last decade or so will likely understand what an extranet is, if not its many benefits for cyber security.
An extranet is a small pool of information and resources that, while connected to the online world, is only accessible by a select number of individuals. This allows for worldwide projects where employees are scattered across the globe to function efficiently and effectively, and also acts as an additional wall of defence against data theft or cyber attacks.
While it is true that extranets aren’t entirely infiltration-proof, and all extranet services do not offer the same protection, they act as an additional hurdle for those attempting to gather information from your business or project.
Anti-malware software
This may seem like an obvious choice as a base line of defence, but many users of online content are still yet to utilise an effective anti-malware or antivirus program. Malware is somewhat of an umbrella term, as it encapsulates a variety of detrimental softwares designed to have negative effects on a computer or network (thus the name, a portmanteau of malicious and software).
Anti-malware software is designed to detect these malicious programs and quarantine them before they have a chance to affect your system. There are a wide range of different programs at varying price points on offer, but it’s best to do your own research, as the amount of malware protection you will need depends on your line of work and business visibility.
The internet can be a dangerous place for businesses, especially those that are ill-prepared for the risks that await defenceless computers. However, it doesn’t take much to stay protected from the vast majority of possible problems, and hopefully we’ve given you a few tips to help along the way to cyber safety.
