Network infrastructure threats continue to increase every day. Companies register more attempts to access their data illicitly today than they did last year. As more threats emerge, companies have to stay on top of their security protocol. One way to do that is to develop a reliable network infrastructure.
Since you cannot eliminate cyber threats, a secure infrastructure will discourage criminals from targeting your organization. This article will offer insights into what to include in your network to make it robust.
Create a strategic plan
Security starts with a foolproof strategy of how to go about it. In your plan, include the following items.
- Network virtualization
- All infrastructure requirements
- Operational readiness
- Site preparedness
Creating a virtual network makes it possible for you to test the system before launch. It will help you determine hardware and software requirements. It will be possible to check operational and site features that will support the network.
Have a network infrastructure policy
Sometimes the most robust network is undone by a predictable and straightforward password. Ensure that you have these two policies within your company ranks.
- Password policy
- Internet use policy
Setting a strong password can keep most attacks at bay. However, go beyond the password itself. Ensure that you have a policy around how people use their passwords. Visiting suspicious websites or opening a suspicious email on the company computer can pose a serious threat to your company data. An internet use policy is also imperative. Train your team on how to use the internet safely.
Train your personnel
People have to interact with your network every day. If a person wants to get into your system, the weak link is always your team. Social engineers have taken their game a notch higher recently. Their success rates are also quite impressive.
They know that you don’t need to break in to enter, you can simply ask for the key nicely. Employees fall for this trap more often than not. Train them of the following:
- Existing network threats
- Network usage
- Importance of logging out
Training should be thorough, updated, and regular. Little knowledge can do more harm than good. Professional security training can improve your employees’ confidence, increase productivity, and reduce possible security-related downtime.
Conduct regular audit
System vulnerabilities often come to light with time. A robust system may not stay that way for long. Internet security criminals do their research. They gain skills and expertise to crack systems. Companies also add assets to their networks that can bring vulnerabilities.
As companies grow, they face new threats. Companies that are not popular in the public eye may not suffer the same level of security threats as those that are regularly in the media.
These developments make a regular system audit a security requirement. While at it, look into the following:
- Security threats
- System vulnerabilities
- Ways to improve
Find ways to prevent incoming threats. Ensure that you remove all glaring system vulnerabilities by going beyond perimeter defenses. Go beyond firewall and antivirus, review and prevent internal threats. If there are employees who are no longer part of the company, terminate or recover their accounts safely.
Test software and programs
Over-the-shelf computer programs come with their fair share of vulnerabilities. Before you adopt them, have a professional check them for weaknesses. You can review previous security patches for the programs to determine their robustness. Do the same to bespoke programs. You never know where the enemy is hiding.
Conclusion
Security threats are quite costly. Companies incur millions to recover from security breaches. However, with a robust network infrastructure, you can overcome most of the threats.
