SECURITY

WHY SECURE MY NETWORK?

With so many businesses dependent on networks and connected to the World Wide Web, computer security has become more important than the lock on the front door. Some of the worst criminals no longer worry about breaking into your shop. It’s safer, more convenient, and more profitable to rob you over the Internet. Your business can be brought to a dead stop by computer viruses, spyware, and other types of “malware”. Every day the news channels and papers carry reports of identity theft, embezzlement, fraud and electronic intrusion. Inception Network Strategies can provide you with counter measures for everything the Internet is notorious for, from pop up adds and SPAM to bored teenagers trying to “hack” into your system. As partners with Cisco and Barracuda, we have the resources to protect your valuable investment in information technology and keep your business online.

HOW?

Just as the bad guys seem to stay up at night plotting new strategies to break in, the good guys spend their time finding ways to lock them out. All kinds of tools and equipment have been developed to keep your computer investment safe from harm. While most routers can be configured to provide basic protection, hackers can get around this blockade rather quickly. It takes a more sophisticated device, called a firewall, to do the job properly. The Cisco “PIX” firewalls that Inception specializes in can stop almost all direct attacks from the Internet. Our partner Barracuda manufactures SPAM filters that keep the junk mail out. They also make web filters that keep your employees from getting to areas of the Internet that are potentially dangerous to your business systems. We can provide Symantec anti-virus and anti-spyware that catches anything that makes it through to your desktop, even if it comes in your e-mail.

IS IT AFFORDABLE?

The affordability depends on the value you place on your business investment. The cost of network security these days is no longer astronomical, as it was at one time. You can protect many thousands of dollars worth of time and money at a fraction of their worth. Try to remember that computers have become the core of most businesses. Everything depends on the box under your desk or in your computer room. Losing one of these black boxes could mean you lose your company as sure as if it had burned to the ground. In fact it’s worse. A building can always be rebuilt, but computers can store irreplaceable personnel and financial records, product specifications, even ideas. Is the risk of losing everything worth saving a small sum?

LIABILITY CONSIDERATIONS

A August 2007 article posted on Help Net Security (www.net-security.org) indicates that there is a movement to hold businesses responsible for data lost from their computer systems…

While this may not affect every business it certainly applies to any organization that keeps personal information such as financial or health records. When dealing with identity theft releasing even an address or phone number may be considered a breach of privacy. Some forms of malware can actually scan data from your disk and relay it back to the originator. This actually happens on a small scale whenever a person visits most websites. Almost all sites download a small file called a “cookie” on your hard drive when you visit. The cookie usually contains information you need to access that site again. Cookies are the reasons you don’t need to login to EBay every time you go there. Many sites, however, include small tracking programs in the cookies left on your computer. These tracking cookies monitor your activity on the Internet and report it back. It’s supposed to help online businesses target their market, but you might see how easy it would be to corrupt this idea to gather other information.

One other thing to consider is the fact that insurance companies may start requiring data security of their customers. An article in Bank Technology News (www.americanbanker.com) describes the possible liabilities…

WHAT CAN I DO?

It’s getting to the point where network security isn’t a choice anymore. Data security will be part of the cost of operating a business. Being in a similar position ourselves we can understand your point of view. Inception Network Strategies can provide everything you’ll need to protect your investment at a reasonable price. We have the expertise and partnerships to make network security as painless as possible.