Your business may be small, but it still has a big need for network security. With e-commerce on the fast track to becoming the preferred method of retail, more people than ever are shopping online at a variety of retail stores, small companies and corporations across the globe. Unfortunately, hackers are becoming more sophisticated at the same time, developing new programs and algorithms to steal your customers’ identities, shut down websites for prolonged periods of time, and generally cause mayhem for business owners and consumers alike. The best line of defense is to make sure you have the right type and amount of network security to effectively protect your company’s website against cyberattacks. Here are a few of the most widely-used types of network security that provide the best defense against would-be hackers and utilize best practices for cybersecurity for companies of all sizes.

Firewall

Perhaps the most simple network security tactic, the firewall is the first line of defense against cyber terrorists and identity thieves. The firewall works by setting rules for which ports should be open and which should remain closed. This cuts down on potential pathways for viruses and malware to infiltrate your network. While many desktop firewall applications exist, these don’t take the place of a network firewall that sits directly behind your point of connectivity and puts a stop to dangerous traffic before it has an opportunity to shut down your website.

Antivirus/Anti-Malware Software

Malware, which is short for “malicious software,” is just what its name implies- software that is harmful, detrimental and destructive to your network. Once malware infiltrates your network, it can cost a significant amount of time and money to get it removed. Since some malware is designed to lie dormant in your network for days or even weeks before wreaking havoc, it is best to stop it before it has a chance to permeate your system with some good anti-malware software. You will want to select an anti-malware program that not only scans for malware at the point of entry but also runs constantly in the background to track and kill any suspicious files before they become problematic.

Behavioral Analytics Tools

Of course you’ve heard of malware and viruses, but are you sure you know how to spot one and what they do once they’ve made it into your network? Adopting a behavioral analytics tool for your small business can help pinpoint any abnormal behaviors on your network and analyze them to make sure they don’t pose a threat. The more quickly you are able to spot deviant behavior in your software, the easier it is to shut it down before it turns into an issue.

Data Loss Prevention

You trust your staff members, and you think they always have the best interests of your company at heart. While this is probably true of 99 percent of your employees, it is nice to be certain your staff can be trusted not to share sensitive information. That’s where data loss prevention comes in. With a DLP technology in place, you can put a stop to concerning staff behavior such as uploading or forwarding critical documents that shouldn’t be shared outside of the company. In this way, you are protecting your business against a number of infringements, compliance violations and other security matters.

Contact Baseline IS for Network Security Today!

Many types of network security exist to ensure the protection and safety of sensitive information on networks across the globe. Make sure your company’s website has its defenses up with small business network security you can trust. Baseline IS can help!