10 steps to securing your network: part one

Your network is a pivotal business tool: if it were to crash or experience downtime your productivity would suffer. If problems persist it could even result in loss of data, profit and client reputation. In addition to these concerns there are federal and state regulations that require you to secure and retain certain information within your network for the purposes of client protection and e-Discovery. If your network is not properly secured, you run the risk of compromising your system, losing your valuable business data and breaking compliance standards which could result in a lawsuit or substantial fine. It is therefore of the upmost importance to protect your network from all of the external and internal forces that threaten to slow down, disrupt or harm your system. For this reason, Bryley Systems has compiled a list of the 10 essential steps one must follow in order to secure their network from the likes of hackers, malware, spam and data loss. Here are the first five to get you started.    

Step 1: Create a network security policy

An effective network security policy is the first step in ensuring network security. A network security policy encompasses all network and web access rules including user authentication, optimized password strength, regulated password changes and an acceptable use list. An acceptable use list prevents employees from accessing websites most commonly infected with malware such as pornography, gambling, audio and video sharing and web email sites. An acceptable use list also prevents employees from accessing the confidential data within your network that they are not privy to.

Step 1 in a sentence

Create a network security policy that will limit network and web access.  

Step 2: Deploy a firewall

Your second step in network security is the deployment of a firewall. Your network policy has already established user authentication as a precaution against network intrusion and a firewall takes this security measure one step further, preventing all unauthorized users from accessing your network.  

Step 2 in a sentence

Block all potentially harmful users from your network with a firewall.  

Step 3: Employ web content filtering

Denying web access based on content analysis is the third step you should take towards securing your network. By filtering out compromised web content, you are proactively protecting your network from malware as it more often than not is embedded within inappropriate sites that experience high volumes of traffic such as gambling or audio sharing sites. However it is important to know that content filtering will not protect your network from a virus attack or hacks. You will require other tools to combat viruses and hackers.     

Step 3 in a sentence

Block all compromised web content from entering your network.

Step 4: Ensure endpoint security

The fourth step you should take in securing your network is to ensure that your endpoints are completely secure.  Protecting your desktops properly will require antivirus software, antispyware and email scanning.  

Step 4 in a sentence

Detect and remove all malware from your network with an endpoint security system.

Step 5: Perform a multi-point security hardening procedure

The fifth step towards securing your network is performing a periodic multi-point security hardening procedure. This procedure reviews all of your network policies and configurations, performing a complete security audit so as to detect any problems, threats, deficiencies or necessary changes. This audit should include workstation, server and network setting verifications and conclude with the implementation of improved security settings.     

Step 5 in a sentence

Harden network security by reviewing and updating policies and configurations.

Want to learn more?

Contact Bryley Systems today for a free business technology consultation. Call 978.562.6077 or email Sales@Bryley.com.  And be sure to check out part two of “10 steps to securing your network” that will be made available in the June 2011 issue of Bryley Tips and Information.

References

Bryley Systems Inc. www.Bryley.com/Solutions.html