How Businesses Can Reduce Computer and Internet Network Vulnerability

In defining what is computer network security, it is imperative to mention that it is the application of security techniques to reduce network vulnerabilities. These security techniques help in protecting the usability, integrity, reliability and safety of computer networks and data. A network security protects your computers from threats such as viruses, Trojan horses, worms, spyware and adware. It also prevents zero-day attacks, hacking attacks and denial of service-DoS attacks.

Moreover, these computer security systems also protect identity theft such as stealing of your names, addresses, phone numbers and your personal information.  Network security systems include anti spyware, anti-virus, firewalls, intrusion prevention systems-IPS and virtual private networks-VPNs.

Loss of company information is one of the aspects, which place the survival of many businesses at stake and with breach of internet network security; businesses can lose data which cost them a penny. It is therefore essential for businesses to protect their data and information through computer network system protection.

Company data is not only threatened by physical intruders but also by internet and cyber war uncertainties. According to Forrester Research Incl., businesses in the world are losing close to about $221 billion in a year through data loss with the American businesses parting with about $54 billion due to loss of their company data.

At the same time, according to the ABI Research, businesses in the world are spending more than $6 billion a year in network and data-security technology and this figure is expected to rise to $ 10 billion by the year 2016. What this means is that businesses need to invest in data protection. The threat in cyber warfare is so real that every week there are news reports of companies and organizations from small businesses to the defense departments claiming to have lost their data.

The potential damage that is caused by such data loss goes far more than just lost or damaged data. For instance, information that is stolen amounts to lost intellectuality as well as jobs from the businesses since new product information can be stolen and shortly copies of that new product are found in other markets at very off the cuff prices.

One of the ways in which businesses can protect their computer network is through setting up a network breach prevention program. There is a need for businesses to define their computer and internet network security peripherals and put in place the best protection practices possible. There is a need to seek for internet services providers to establish, which IP addresses a business uses and also obtain proper permissions.

The IP addresses also need to be monitored so that the business can know when unused IP addresses suddenly come to use. All external network access points need to be managed through encrypted virtual private networks- VPNs and use of firewall. Two- factor authentication solutions help in providing secure remote access of networks. These authentications strictly control the access into your business network with authentication devices, passwords and account log in details.

The use of static passwords does not provide adequate security for your computer network. Gaining an unauthorized access to networks can be both simple and complex. In a simple way, ill-intended people can steal passwords to gain access to your network. On the other hand, they can use complex ways such as launching a Trojan or even a phishing attack.

The use of traditional static passwords is outdated and archaic and cannot effectively deter those using complex phishing and hacking techniques to penetrate internet network security systems and harvest confidential data. Statistics show that a shocking 43% of businesses who lose electronic data never reopen and that about 29% will close their businesses within two years, according to Researchers McGladrey and Pullen.

This shows the magnitude of the impacts of data loss in companies. Businesses can also protect their computer network through segmentation, which insulates the business from the risks. They can use firewalls to control the inbound and outbound traffic to their networks.

There should be internal network segmentation between different offices to help prevent breach of computer and internet network security. Businesses also need to use very strong encryption for their networks such as SSL. Last but not least, businesses should have a backup for their data through remote data backups. This can help in data recovery and retrieval when disasters strike and data is lost or damaged.