Why Your Small Business Needs Network Security?

A business falls victim to ransomware roughly every 11 seconds. This number is growing rapidly as cybercriminals target small businesses with limited resources to invest in cybersecurity. With many small businesses having virtually no cybersecurity, they are prime targets for hackers to steal and sell their data.

According to Forbes, cybercriminals can penetrate up to 93% of all company networks. This statistic is even more worrisome for small businesses since most of them have little to no network security. In this post, we will cover what network security is and how your business can improve it to protect you and your customers.

What is network security?

Network security is the practice of securing a network from unauthorized access. This includes both hardware and software systems that are used to protect networked data. Network security entails aspects of cybersecurity like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption.

Network security is important for all businesses, but it is especially critical for small businesses. This is because small businesses typically have fewer resources to invest in network security than larger businesses. By improving network security, small businesses can secure their data and ensure they thwart and prevent all attempts to gain access to their data.

Benefits of network security for small businesses

There are several key benefits of improving network security. They include:

Preventing data breaches

By securing networked data, businesses can prevent sensitive information from being stolen in a data breach. This is especially important for small businesses, as a data breach can be devastating and even lead to the demise of the business.

Maintaining customer trust

In the event of a data breach, customers will lose trust in the business and may take their business elsewhere. By ensuring network security, businesses can maintain customer trust and keep their business.

Avoiding regulatory penalties

In some industries (e.g., health, law), a data breach can result in hefty fines from regulators. By investing in network security, businesses can avoid these penalties and keep their business running smoothly.

How can you improve your network security?

• Get a network assessment: A network assessment is the best first step you can take to improve network security. In a network assessment, a network expert will analyze your network and identify any vulnerabilities. They will then provide you with recommendations on how to improve network security.
• Work with an IT provider: Working with an IT provider is a great way to get started with network security. They can assess your network and make recommendations on how to improve network security. Additionally, they can continuously monitor your network for potential threats and help you respond to any incidents that may occur. 
• Implement network security solutions: You can also start implementing network security solutions like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption. These solutions will help you secure your network and prevent data breaches. This will give you a great first line of defense against threats on your networks.

Implementing the recommendations above is a great way to get started on network security. To learn more, get a free assessment from an IT provider here.