SECURE YOUR NETWORK

The Importance of hiring an IT Company to Secure your Network.

Computer and Network Support for McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsvile, Weslaco, Rio Grande City

McAllen Computer Repair, Harlingen Computer Repair, Brownsville Computer Repair

It’s no secret that security vulnerabilities of private and public networks are real concerns that should be addressed quickly and assertively. Whether you have a Windows Server, Linux or regular desktop all computers and networks are susceptible to hacking.  Without proper training sensitive information stored on these devices are exposed to hackers and internal information theft. 

You can strengthen and enhance your company’s internal and perimeter network security by enforcing strict security checkpoints and enforcing protocols.  This can be accomplished by hiring a knowledgeable and reputable IT company that could arrest vulnerabilities and prevent future outbreaks.

The benefits of monitoring your company’s network.

An IT company will be able to manage and implement security practices against thousands of application level attacks.  In addition, they have the expertise in the following technologies that are vital and securing your network and sensitive information.

• ·         VPN
• ·         Firewall/VPN
• ·         Unified Threat Management
• ·         Remote Access
• ·         Intrusion Detection & Prevention
• ·         Endpoint Security

Furthermore, they will be able to safeguard your network against intrusions by implementing a perimeter gateway and applying security solutions such as IPS-1 and SmartDefense.  These intrusion prevention solutions provide precise, real-time attack mitigation, granular forensic analysis which warrants a secure network perimeter.

Intrusive (hacking) traffic will try and merge with legitimate traffic which is called spoofing.  These spoofing techniques bypass network passwords and security checkpoints if unfiltered.  If proper techniques are applied your IT Company can isolate intrusive traffic at your firewall.  Isolating intrusion track at the point of entry is called SmartDefense which maintains a high level of preemptive security.

Should I be worried about Denial of Service Attacks?

We here about DoS all the time and you should consider DoS a real threat.  A Denial of Service attack is an attempt to make a machine or network resource unavailable to its intended users. Just because a DoS has not hit your network does not mean it won’t and never will.  DoS attacks are a serious problem that do crash networks and if left unattended can result in network outages for days if not weeks.

In February of 2012 the notorious hacking group Anonymous, managed to take down the CIA, Mexico’s Mining Ministry and the State of Alabama’s Department of Homeland Security.

An IT company can deploy a proactive double firewall that filters unidentified traffic and data signatures before they hit your network that neutralize any such attacks and minimize downtime.  Banning IP’s, limiting the number of connections to your server are protocols that require certain hardware purchased such as Cisco, SonicWall or Barracuda’s NG firewalls.  The use of home grade equipment such as Netgear and Linksys will not allow for enterprise level security.

Prevention of Information Theft

The most compelling reason to hire an IT company is to prevent information theft and leakage.  Hackers are always on the prowl and ready to pounce on vulnerable networks in order to steal usernames and passwords.  Once your network is compromised hackers implement phishing techniques to dig deeper into your network with the malicious intent of stealing confidential company information such as; credit cards, customer list and trade secrets.

Despite hearing the horror stories of networks and servers being compromised it’s your own employees that allow hackers to sneak without being noticed.  In some cases it’s your own employees that engage in information theft because security policies and procedures were never implemented and enforced.

Too often businesses leave themselves wide open to information theft either because they choose to use home grade products in commercial environments or in extreme cases they choose to tackle security themselves.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying home grade products don’t work in commercial environments but they can’t handle enterprise security policies and protocols. Furthermore, just because I know a little about cars does not mean I am going to break apart my engine and give it an overhaul.

Investing in the proper hardware is the right choice every time

If your current setup uses any of the following configurations below you are opening your doors to attacks and information theft.

·         Using Windows Home Edition in a commercial environment

·         Sharing files between local computers

·         Computers that have no password to login

·         Leaving your default password on your router

·         Using a free anti-virus solution in a commercial environment

When it comes to your company’s security you can hire a full time computer staff but you have no guarantee that your applicants really have enough experience to implement complicated security solutions.  For businesses with current IT staff then hiring an external IT company to handle security not only frees up resources but it allows your business to tap into your IT companies experience and knowledge base.

More importantly, when it comes to your network security you don’t want to hire a computer guy that is the jack-of-all-trades, you want to hire the expert in that trade.

TagleRock Technologies provides computer, network and server support for all of the RGV including Edinburg, McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville and Rio Grande City.

Visit us online at www.taglerock.com