With all the network security software on the market, you may be wondering which is the right fit for your small business. After all, not all network security software is created equal- different programs may offer different levels of protection, or monitor different things. It can be daunting to research these programs and choose the one you feel will offer the most comprehensive network protection for your small business, but once you have found the software that will offer your company the greatest amount of security that fits both your needs and your budget, you will be able to rest easy knowing your data is safe from cyberattacks and security breaches. Here are some attributes of network security solutions you’re going to want to make sure your software can handle.

Gateway Filtering

Network security software that offers gateway filtering, or web filtering, is a must for any small business owner. This solution ensures security with use of Web 2.0 by blocking access to web-borne malware in real time. Additionally, gateway filters restrict usage of high-risk applications in order to further protect your network from being infected by malicious web downloads.

Encrypted Packet Inspection

Information is transferred between computer networks using something called packetization. A packet is comprised of the data you are sending, along with a header that gets it to the correct destination. However, data files can be corrupted as they are transmitted, which can infect the computer network that receives them. Deep packet inspection (DPI), also sometimes referred to as complete packet inspection or information extraction (IX) is a form of network packet filtering that closely examines the data part, and in some cases the header, of a packet to make sure there are no viruses, worms, spam or other potentially harmful intrusions attached. Some DPI software takes place on the SSL (secure socket layer), which is the encrypted link between a web browser and a server. DPI-SSL software is a must-have to ensure total network security for businesses of all sizes.

Bot-Net and Geo-IP Filtering

If you are in the know about IT, you may have heard the phrase “bot-net” recently, and wondered what it’s all about. A “bot” is a type of malware that lets hackers take over control of a computer, making it do the attackers’ bidding. A group of these bots can form an army, or a “bot-net,” that are controlled by cybercriminals called “botmasters,” and can wreak untold amounts of havoc. Bot-nets are one of the most prevalent threats in cybersecurity today and should be taken very seriously by business owners. Fortunately, the spread of a bot-net can be controlled with Geo-IP filtering software, which blocks connections to and from specific countries, minimizing the threat of infection. Geo-IP filtering can also block unsecured connections from local public IPs, which can reduce the risk of your network computers being turned into bots.

Encryption Key Management

One of the most necessary components of small business network security is encryption key management. As you already know, encrypting your company’s confidential data before it is stored on your network or in the cloud is essential to its protection. However, it is also of utmost importance to be able to unlock the encrypted data in order to access it, and it is also crucial to ensure that your encryption keys don’t fall into the wrong hands. Encryption key management solutions allow small business owners to effectively manage their data encryption keys and keep them safe from malicious downloads or attempted hacks while also allowing access to trusted users.

Sandboxing

If your ultimate goal is to prevent malware from infiltrating a specific application on your network, you may wish to look into sandboxing. The goal of sandboxing solutions is to isolate an application so that it can’t be touched by potentially dangerous outside sources. Though somewhat extreme, application sandboxing can be the answer if a particular application on your network is exceptionally vulnerable to attacks, or if it is absolutely vital to the operation of your business and you can’t afford even the possibility of threats.

Contact Baseline IS for Network Security Software!

Network security software runs from standard to highly-specialized in terms of the amounts of protection offered. Selecting the right network security solutions for your small business is ultimately up to you; however, if you get stuck or have questions about the level of network security your small business may require, ask Baseline IS for advice.