Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Why is it Important to Use Cyber Security to Protect your Business?
Virtual security network security is the union of
technologies, practices and processes specifically designed to provide
protection for computers, networks, data and programs from possible assault,
damage, harm or unauthorized access. The term commonly used in computing context
is cyber security.
Importance of Virtual Security Network Security
Virtualization, offers the promise of reduced operating
costs for business while also providing improved flexibility plus some
environmental benefits. This concept is now a high priority for most
corporations especially those doing business in the global market. The problem
though with taking full advantage of the most advanced virtual technologies is
the proliferation of security concerns. There are traditionally designed cyber security products that can be used to defend virtual network perimeters, but
they have no ability of set up specific control points and they also lack
visibility within the virtual infrastructure. To overcome these issues and to
control advanced persistent threats, it is important to use a comprehensive
virtual security network security solution that can deliver the most advanced
and functional safeguarding features that will work just fine along with the
existing virtual managing console.
What can Cyber Security Solutions Provide Your Business in
Order to Thwart Advanced Persistent Threats?
• Employees' personal information
Every business stores all the sensitive information
regarding their employees within the company files. Sets of information
include: Social Security Numbers, home addresses and contact details, pass
codes and passwords they use to get access to the company files.
• Client's information
Your clients also provide you with necessary details
regarding their personal and business details and these sets of information are
also at risk of being hacked if your virtual management is very slack.
• Business information
Of course, everything about your business is included in
your internal files. Prices, expenditures, business plans, merger agreements and
other forms of business contracts are the common detailed information stored in
the business files. You need to specifically protect these files or else your
business, as well as its reputation, will be highly jeopardized.
Businesses of today are dealing with fast-paced global
economy that heavily depends on information and data that are effectively
transmitted through cyberspace. It has now become very important for every
business to maintain their physical property and to protect it against
potential threats like theft, intruders and other kinds of attack that can be
done to cause problems within your business. This is where cyber security
becomes not just a precautionary measure but a need.
Cyber hackers are continuously on the lookout for gaps in
the defenses used by businesses as protection. If you opt to forgo the
implementation of a network security solution, you are putting your company at
risk and you are in danger of causing damage to your business reputation. Your
network security could be very vulnerable, so don't take any chances.
A cyber security solution does not only protect you, your
business and your virtual data, it also protects your clients and the
information you have on them. Therefore, it is highly recommended to choose a
cyber security solution that can deliver all your required protection.
The Basic Standards of PCI Compliance
Security is a serious consideration in online transactions.
This is the main reason why many companies have different mechanisms of
security protocols. When we make purchases online, we are most likely to share
personal information. Since security breaches are well known, trust in current
security measures is coming into question, hence the need of stronger security
mechanisms. As a small vendor, one of the things you can implement is PCI compliance. Payment Card Industry
Compliance standards, brought forward by the major credit card issuers, ensure
protection of personal information and guarantee security when transactions are
processed using a payment card.
Maintain a secure network
When handling an online business where personal information
of your customers is transmitted in your network, you need to guarantee that
your network is tamper-proof. For an online business venture, the most
vulnerable target would be the web server. However, with the correct choice of
a hosting service provider, your networks will be safe from any breach. This is
because reliable hosting service providers will take the responsibility of
handling the security of the network. If you keep cardholder information on
your laptop or personal computer which are used in a public network, your
computer should be under a firewall and other security procedures observed.
Protect cardholder's data
This standard focuses on big data storage mechanisms and how
this data is transmitted. If you own an online business that decides to store
cardholder's data, you have an obligation to ensure that this data is
protected. Business ventures that store this information will definitely store
it under encryption such that even if accessed, the information will still be
safe. While transmitting cardholder's data during a purchase over the internet,
this data has to be encrypted with at least a 128 bit SSL certificate for this
standard to be met.
Regularly monitor and test your networks
There is need of ensuring that your networks are safe all
through. This can be achieved through regularly monitoring and testing your
networks. Proof or regular testing, scanning, monitoring and tracking of data
are is required to satisfy this requirement. This can be achieved through the
use of reliable security intelligence software and signing up for security analytics
auditing service.
Maintaining an information security policy
Humans are the most exploited breach in security. To meet
PCI compliance standards, you have to ensure that information is accessed by
only those who need it. It is also very important to have rules and policies
regarding handling of this data within your employees. Your employees are
expected to understand their responsibility regarding this type of data.
The above standards are the first steps that have to be met
when you are thinking of becoming PCI compliant. These standards will be
checked by credit card companies before you are rated based on the volumes of
your transactions. With the widespread use of virtual technology in payment
card systems, ensure you choose the services of virtual security and compliance
providers especially if you are working in virtual environments.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Why Network Monitoring is Crucial to any Business
The Microsoft Network Monitor is one example of a tool
that analyzes a network for
troubleshooting purposes. In a typical company, there is always a person or a
department that looks into this function. If it is a person, this individual is
commonly referred to as the IT guy or gal; otherwise, the common reference
would be the IT department.
The Microsoft Network Monitor would be an excellent
application to use. It is backed by a company that is the epitome of technical
prowess and experience. There are countless network analysis software out in
the market, but not everyone has the same reputation as Bill Gates.
This will explain why the Microsoft Network Monitor is a
popular brand for conducting day-to-day network analysis. Code-named
Bloodhound, this type of packet analyzer can be trusted upon handily to find
out what is causing network traffic or a breakdown in an application. It will
be hard for an IT guy to do everything by himself or herself.
Sniffing packets for clues as to what ails a network at any
point in time can take so much of the IT desk's time and so automatically doing
it with the aid of a robust program is the only way to go. Especially for a
huge firm, manually conducting network analysis would be a tremendous waste of
time. This type of network monitoring is not even network forensics yet. It is simply covering the basics.
Now what if there is a crucial breach in the system,
something like a hacker gone rogue in a busy network that cannot afford to be
down. The plot thickens. This is where network forensics come into play. The support desk needs to be on top of the situation
and at break-neck speed, or else, vital
data may be lost at the blink of an eye. At this point, the techie is no longer
just monitoring the WAN's data passively, he or she is already doing what is commonly known as
intrusion-detection.
At this hard core level, the technical individual is said to
be performing network forensics. Most individuals would like to think that an
escalation from network monitoring to network forensics does not happen until
law enforcement gets involved. However, this can never be further from the
truth.
This is because network forensics has two components,
namely, tracking the usual and non-usual suspects; and, information-gathering
for legal evidence. Doing any or both is definitely an escalation already from
the usual analysis of data traffic. Come to think of it, an IT specialist must
take care of all this.
Therefore, hiring the perfect person for the job is
paramount. In this day and age, data
management is absolutely important to a company that intends to remain profitable
as well as reputable. In fact, human resource is beginning to lose out to data
as a corporation's most important asset. Thus, having an employee who handles
network monitoring like a pro is like hitting two birds with one stone.
Important Aspects of Cyber Security
Cyber security is of paramount importance in view of
continuing cyber attacks and increasing range of malware and viruses. Most
organizations and enterprises run their business online and hence are connected
to the Internet and other private networks. This exposes them to a variety of
risks, which includes identity thefts and loss of crucial data. Loss of
critical data can cause great damage to any organization, and can even close
down a business enterprise. A strong cyber security system is the first line of
defense for data loss prevention, which can be supported by a good backup
solution.
Cyber security has now much broader implications, and has to
be addressed as a risk management issue of the entire enterprise, rather than
merely an IT problem. Security breaches are now common, in not only consumer
and financial systems, but also in systems of industrial control, as most
systems now use open technologies and platforms. The first line of defense
would obviously be early detection of an attack or malware, and in this aspect,
deep packet inspection plays an important role.
Deep packet inspection is a
type of filtering system that examines network data packets especially the
header, for non-compliance of protocol. This will usually reveal whether it is
a malware, intrusion, or some form of spam. The deep packet inspection system
then decides whether such packet has to be let through, or diverted to another
destination for further analysis and statistical information.
Although a strong defensive and filtering architecture forms
the basis of a good network security system, it should also have an effective incident
response plan to counter new threats. In today's world, a computer system will
be bombarded with numerous cyber attacks daily, and if the defense mechanism
fails to cope with the new threat, there should be an incident response plan in
place to control the damage or counter the attack effectively in a timely
manner. Incident response is now becoming an important aspect of protection and
data loss prevention at the national level, and governments of various
countries are forming expert teams and procedures for combating new cyber
threats.
It is not possible to have a foolproof system, as cyber
criminals keep improving their techniques and come out with superior malware.
Cyber security is an evolving science as new methods and techniques are
developed constantly in view of new threats. However, the basic principles and
strategies have remained the same, and they still play an important role in
developing an effective system for security. In addition, having an effective
online backup solution is an important aspect of a security system. With a good
backup plan, there is hardly any risk of data being lost, even in the worst
cyber attack.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Advice For Maintaining Internet Security
Knowing they should protect themselves, many internet users implement measures to ward off the myriad of dangers that lurk on the world wide web. The corporate sector is not immune to these dangers either. Vast amounts of sensitive, even confidential, information is house on the internet. This information can be harvested unethically and used to cause devastation. Creating a plan to strengthen internet security, investing in credible antivirus software, and ways to change how you think about internet security intelligence are points to consider when thinking about internet security and thus are described below.
The first piece of advice you should consider is to devise a plan for strengthening internet security. Researching the different types of mechanisms internet predators regularly use to illegally glean sensitive information should be included in this planning phase. Predators can gain access to your personal information through specific types of software, often called malware, that covertly infect your computer. There are also ways that internet predators gain your trust so that you willingly provide them with the information they want. No matter what your research brings to light, a comprehensive security plan is the best way to protect yourself.
A second piece of advice is to invest in a credible, high-quality antivirus software. A good antivirus software can prevent the previously mentioned malicious software from infecting your computer. In you maintain it and update it frequently, this antivirus software can prove invaluable. Antivirus software is not only preventative, but it can also actually remove infectious malware that has already found its way onto your computer. As internet predators evolve their tactics, so do antivirus software. Visit www.soleranetworks.com, for more details.
The final piece of advice is to evolve your attitude toward and perceptions about network security. Advances in technology require internet users to always take another step towards internet security well being. I am not trying to say that you need to be an expert on security measures, but because perpetrators of internet crimes are constantly innovating new ways to violate the average internet user, we must all evolve to combat them. Admittedly, it is easy to believe that other people are victims of these crimes.
Discourse regarding internet security is extremely beneficial. If you are an internet user, do not be overwhelmed or intimidated by internet security information. This article should serve as a catalyst for you to being devising a internet security plan. Hopefully this article will cause you to inquire more seriously into antivirus software. The biggest step you can take to secure yourself from internet predators, is to continue to evolve your perceptions of internet security.
The first piece of advice you should consider is to devise a plan for strengthening internet security. Researching the different types of mechanisms internet predators regularly use to illegally glean sensitive information should be included in this planning phase. Predators can gain access to your personal information through specific types of software, often called malware, that covertly infect your computer. There are also ways that internet predators gain your trust so that you willingly provide them with the information they want. No matter what your research brings to light, a comprehensive security plan is the best way to protect yourself.
A second piece of advice is to invest in a credible, high-quality antivirus software. A good antivirus software can prevent the previously mentioned malicious software from infecting your computer. In you maintain it and update it frequently, this antivirus software can prove invaluable. Antivirus software is not only preventative, but it can also actually remove infectious malware that has already found its way onto your computer. As internet predators evolve their tactics, so do antivirus software. Visit www.soleranetworks.com, for more details.
The final piece of advice is to evolve your attitude toward and perceptions about network security. Advances in technology require internet users to always take another step towards internet security well being. I am not trying to say that you need to be an expert on security measures, but because perpetrators of internet crimes are constantly innovating new ways to violate the average internet user, we must all evolve to combat them. Admittedly, it is easy to believe that other people are victims of these crimes.
Discourse regarding internet security is extremely beneficial. If you are an internet user, do not be overwhelmed or intimidated by internet security information. This article should serve as a catalyst for you to being devising a internet security plan. Hopefully this article will cause you to inquire more seriously into antivirus software. The biggest step you can take to secure yourself from internet predators, is to continue to evolve your perceptions of internet security.
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