Managed Network Security Solutions and Your Business

Posted by Network Consultancy on March 2nd, 2023

Network security can appear complicated and overwhelming, with firewalls, antivirus software, and password security is just a few examples. Finding which parts of your network can be potentially vulnerable is the best place to start. From there, a thorough, layered security strategy may be established to prevent viruses, weaknesses, and online dangers from entering your network.

The scale and intensity of recent cyber-attacks should serve as a warning to organizations that it is no longer enough to rely on antivirus software for protection, as so many businesses still do.

Instead, businesses need to put in place a multi-layered security system that offers comprehensive defense against threats. A layered security system offers multiple layers of security, which when combined make it more challenging for hackers to access a network. The next security measure will stop the intrusion if the first one doesn't.

Managed network security solutions can be of immense value to any business, whatever its size. Even a larger business, which has its own IT department, may not have the specialist expertise needed to manage its computer security for itself. In this kind of circumstance, managed network security solutions from a specialized company may make sound commercial sense. These solutions can take various forms, as follows:

- Penetration Testing:

This is the classic method of testing the security of a computer network, whereby expert penetration testers attempt to breach the network's safeguards using the same tools and techniques as are used by criminal hackers (but without themselves causing any damage). It's considered best practice to commission regular penetration testing, especially after any major change in the configuration of the computer network.

- Managed Web Application Scanning:

Although not strictly network-related, this managed security solution can test the security of your website and web applications. This is especially important if your website is large and complex, and should ideally take place at least every month. Similarly, web applications can be scanned for vulnerabilities such as input validation, poor coding practices and weak configuration management. A "blended" service will combine an automated scan for common vulnerabilities with a manual in-depth scan of certain areas, for the greatest possible cost-effectiveness.

- Use a Secure Network for Internet Access

The majority of firms link users to their primary servers using an internal local area network (LAN). If people have unrestricted access to the internet, the entire system is vulnerable to assault. Having a separate, secure network just for servers and services that access the internet is one approach to stop this.

- Managed Network Vulnerability Assessment:

This service complements your regular penetration tests, by scanning the entire network for known vulnerabilities on at least a monthly basis. This is cheaper than a full penetration test, while still identifying weaknesses that could be exploited by criminals. It forms a cost-effective solution for organizations that do not require the very highest levels of computer security.

- Verifying the Reputation of Files

To access a company's network, a hacker frequently modifies a file or widely used piece of software. Examining the file's checksum, which is a lengthy digital number generated automatically from the file's content, is one technique to spot such attempts.

Since the requirements are not considered full-time, there is no need for a dedicated member of staff, unless your company computer systems are uncommonly extensive and complex. This means that managed network solutions from a specialist firm can deliver all the computer security that most organizations require, without the need for in-house expertise. Since all these services are carried out remotely, there is no need to accommodate a visitor at your premises, and your firm will not have to acquire the specialist software used. Hence there are many business benefits of managed network security solutions, compared to an in-house provision of the same services, and every business should consider making use of this kind of solution in the near future.