A cyber attack.

And rightly so, cyber attacks are up 69%, according to the 2020 Internet Crimes Report provided by the FBI. In addition, two-thirds of small and medium-sized businesses had their security compromised, according to a report by the Ponemon Institute.

Cybercrimes infographic via FBI ICR 2020

We’ve talked about the importance of implementing layered security. A vital element includes a dependable firewall that protects your business and clients from a damaging attack on your organization. 

So how can a Firewall protect your business? Let’s first discuss what a firewall does.

What Does a Firewall Protect? 

Think of a firewall as the main door to your network that secures all of your data for the business (client information, credit card data, financial data, and so on).

A firewall program allows internet traffic to travel to and from your business network while examining the packets (signals containing information). The firewall protects the network by flagging and filtering out malicious information. 

Protection that could save your small business from being a victim of a security breach. 

Need help protecting sensitive data and information for your small business? Let Us Help you. 

Now that you have a better understanding of what a firewall does let’s dive into how a firewall protects your small business.  

Not All Firewalls Protect the Same

Most business owners believe their network is safe from the internet provider they sign-up with. An example of a provider would be AT&T.

An internet service provider supplies a customer with a modem/router, but these modems only have some firewall capabilities.

You may think you are protected, but unfortunately, not at the level that can help fully protect your business. Maybe that’s how 43% of cyber attacks target small businesses. 

But don’t worry, we share what a reliable firewall system should have, read below. 

What Functionalities Should a Firewall System Have? 

You may be asking yourself, “What should I look for in a firewall system?”

We have your answers. 

We list the functionalities for a business-grade level firewall. The features range from standard protection to an upgraded level of security that may require a subscription.  

1. Antivirus Feature

Protect your business from harmful attachments and links by ensuring your firewall has an antivirus function included in the system. A sophisticated antivirus feature can help protect your business’s sensitive data and emails. 

2. Content Filtering 

This function allows for the filtering of unauthorized sites not approved by the company’s administrator. You can decide which websites or platforms are not allowed to enter into the business network, like social media or pornographic sites. 

3. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

With VPN functionality, mobile device users and remote sites can securely access internal network resources. With more and more businesses allowing employees to work from home, this essential function promotes productivity, collaboration, and data sharing.

4. Wifi Encryption 

A firewall/router with a highly encrypted wifi connection can provide n extra layer of security to your small business network.

5.  Gateway Services 

The enhanced services provide sandboxing (another virtual environment that examines the data packet before sending it to your computer). This also includes protection for zero-day attacks and offers a much more security-laden examination of your data coming and going out of your network.  

A Firewall is Not a Set It and Forget Type of System

Unfortunately, most small businesses don’t realize the significance of maintaining a firewall until too late. 

We have seen this happen way too many times. After a firewall is installed, it’s forgotten. 

But to maintain the level of security and functionality of a sound firewall system, it has to be updated regularly.

Just like how your smartphone needs an update throughout the year, a firewall system needs an update too.

A Cyber Security Strategy Includes Firewall Protection

An experienced IT expert or firm will be your best solution to review your firewall’s capabilities and help determine if it meets the security needs of your business.

Have a trusted IT firm provide you with a thorough cyber security strategy (and firewall system) to secure your organization.

Want help with your cyber security strategy? Contact us for a free consultation.

The post How a Firewall Protects Your Small Business appeared first on CEO Computers.

Cybercriminals have become increasingly more sophisticated in their approach to hacking into a network and compromising an organization’s data. 

54% of small business owners think their business is too small for a possible security breach, but unfortunately, 43% of small businesses have been a target of cybercrime.   

The threat of security breach or attack is not a situation of what if it happens, but when.

We share the nine reasons why you shouldn’t ignore these threats to your business and the necessary measures it will take to build a multi-layered security plan.

Let’s dive in. 

9 Reasons Why You Need a Multi-Layered Security Plan

1. Cybercriminals use “Blended Attacks” 

Also known in the industry as “multi-prong” threats that criminals use to attack a business by infiltrating the network through different outlets; emails, hacking or shutting down a system.

2. Cyber Crime is on the Rise

75% of the world’s businesses experienced some time of phishing attack in 2020. More false emails attempting to extort information or money have risen since the beginning of the pandemic.

3. Cybercrime is Very Lucrative 

In 2020, 4.1 billion was lost due to cybercrimes according to the FBI (IC3 2020 Report).

4. Cybercriminals Run It Like a Business

Well-funded professional criminals plan, research, and organize automated attacks on individual companies and government entities.

5. UnSafe Wi-Fi

Cyber attacks aren’t just on an internal network, but mobile devices are vulnerable to attacks too.

6. Cybercriminals Are Getting Savvier

To get their malicious software installed on business computers, criminals are mixing and matching adware, spyware, keyloggers, viruses, rootkits, information “scraped” from social networks, and purchase credentials from Dark Web.

7. Employees Use Work Laptop Like their Personal  

As a result, over 80% of breaches are caused by employees.

8. Business Email Schemes Cost 1.8 Billion in Losses in 2020

Up to 90% of email is spam, and email is the primary tool cybercriminals use to access your

employee’s computer and network.

9. Your Equipment Might Be Outdated

Many unprotected computers/servers/internet devices (IoT) are connected with open ports, old applications, and un-updated software.

Need help protecting sensitive data and information for your small business? Let Us Help you. 

What is a Multi-Layered Security Approach?

Only having standard network security protection for your small’s business isn’t enough to protect your company these days.

You need multi-layer protection to go up against sophisticated criminals, socially engineered websites, downloads, or blended attacks. Layered security takes a proactive cyber defense approach.

A multi-layered security strategy should cover three main elements: 

1. Dependable Hardware 

2. Software and Monitoring services 

3. Best Practices for Company Employees  

Layered security strategies are answers to today’s cyber threat landscape. The best defense is to cover every area and aspect of your network.

What Are the Key Elements of a Multi-Layered Security Plan?

Equipment for Best Protection

• State-of-the-art routers that are updated regularly that is programmed to fend off attacks.

• Protection for Cloud/web-based applications and servers

Security Software or Systems 

• Guarding against malware and viruses with the next generation of Antivirus

• Remote Monitoring and Management of all the nodes in your network (internal and external)

• Backup and disaster recovery- using an online backup that performs snapshots and takes an image of your server drives.

• Firewall protection from attack via email attachment, files, adware, links, apps, and more using advanced threat protection packages

• DNS-level security to defend against threats originating at the network level

Best Network Security Practices for Your Team

• Two Factor authentication for emails and remote access

• Password Policy, using complex passwords policy that is regularly changed. 

• Employees Awareness Training. End-user education programs address the source of 93 percent of all data breaches, which is user errors.

Creating a Multi-Layered Security Plan and Strategy

Implementing a multi-layered security plan is the only approach to mitigate the threats at all entry points of the business network. 

Your best defense is to partner with a trusted IT firm

An experienced firm will provide you with a multi-pronged approach to protect your business network. 

Your focus running the business, bring in an expert to protect it. 

Want help with your cyber security strategy? Contact us for a free consultation.

The post What is a Multi-layered Security Plan? And Why Your Business Needs It appeared first on CEO Computers.