How can you improve network security?

Hackers will try to access your network using techniques such as phishing attacks, data breaches, and ransomware. That’s why it’s so important to have robust network security. Here are some ways you can improve yours.

Maintain up-to-date hardware

Computer hardware has built-in security features that make them harder to hack than software solutions. Firewalls, switches, and access points are critical components in securing data flow in a network. With outdated hardware, you risk attacks due to missing patches and vulnerabilities.

Best practices for tracking and updating devices

• Maintain a detailed list of all devices with regular updates
• Enable automatic updates
• Prioritize high-priority security updates
• Test updates before using on all devices
• Backup important data before an update
• Use a mobile device manager tool to manage updates and security settings

Segment IoT devices from production environments

An IoT (Internet of Things) device is a sensor, appliance, or gadget that can exchange data over the Internet—things like smart devices and personal phones. Production environments are the “live” software versions that users interact with.

By allowing IoT devices unrestricted access to your production network, you risk potential security breaches from an IoT device spreading to a vital system.

Practical steps for network segmentation

• Identify the most valuable assets that need protection
• Label each asset based on high, medium, or low sensitivity
• Create a map of the network and data flow
• Determine how you want to segment your network (firewalls, switches, LANs, etc.)
• Use a network traffic segmentation gateway
• Create an access control policy

Is your network as secure as it should be? TeamLogic IT can provide your organization with a network assessment to determine whether it is secure enough and functioning effectively. Contact us today.