When it comes to providing network security for your mid-sized business, one thing is clear: vigilance is not an option, but a necessity. Mid-sized businesses are not immune to security threats. In fact, mid-sized businesses often fall victim to security issues that strike both enterprise organizations and small businesses. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top network security threats facing mid-sized businesses today.Lack of appropriate hardware security: Believe it or not, one of the main threats to your business’ network comes from inside the organization. Network hardware can be irreparably damaged by electrical surges, and can develop problems if exposed to extreme humidity or high temperatures. Also, some businesses don’t insist on limited-access server rooms or locked server cases, which makes it easier for curious or malicious employees to create network havoc.
Disgruntled employees: Speaking of employees, an unhappy employee can cause huge issues for a business’s IT network and infrastructure while he is there or if he builds a ‘back door’ into the system to access in the event he is fired. Because they have intimate awareness of and access to your code, they also have the ability to maliciously introduce problems into your network system, causing your network to cease functioning and putting your valuable data in jeopardy. Unfortunately, the possibilities are numerous and hazardous.
Spyware, malware and viruses: The combination of spyware, malware and viruses present a huge network security threat for businesses of all sizes, but especially mid-sized businesses. If a user visits an infected website, he/she can unknowingly download malicious script and begin infecting other computers on the network. Similarly, hijacked browsers, infected e-mail attachments and fake YouTube videos shared among users can impede network performance and bring business productivity to a crawl.
Remote users accessing the network: Today’s businesses are embracing remote workers as a way to lower overhead costs and be friendlier to the environment. But remote connections can cause network security issues. If a user is accessing your company’s network from an infected home machine, data and information on your network may be compromised. Also, remote users are more likely to disable built-in security measures in order to work around a temporary problem, then neglect to turn them back on, increasing their vulnerability.
Hardware security, unhappy workers, remote workers and spyware, viruses and malware present some of the top threats to network security. However, they are not the only threats out there. Employees and network administrators must diligently monitor network performance and stay abreast of changes in network security best practices in order to ensure that your network performs at an optimal level.
