The Ultimate Guide to Network Security for Small Businesses

Understanding Network Security

In today’s digital age, there is an increased demand for implementing security online and developing access limitations. As cyber threats develop, businesses must influence effective protocol implementation to safeguard their data. This article offers constructive advice to help small businesses improve their network security and institute access control strategies.

Network security in business involves measures designed to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data within their network. Security enhancements may involve multiple authentication factors to ensure higher enforceability. Authorized users will be given access, whilst others are denied. Every organization that deals with customers and employees must have a reputable security system. A business is not only viable for its data records and documentation but also contains sensitive information of all its customers or users. There are many key components of network security, but we will look at the eight most reputable for small business operations.

Key Components

1. Firewalls
   • Firewalls create a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted foreign networks.
   • Programmed to identify traffic and decide whether it is allowed or blocked.
2. Antivirus/Anti-Malware Software
   • Protects against viruses and other hidden malware.
   • Keeps your devices safe and protects personal information.
3. Email Security
   • Businesses are susceptible to security breaches through email phishing which often involves deceiving the user to enter a website with malicious intent or downloadable malware.
4. Access Control
   • Network Access Control (NAC)
     • Limits or denies access to unauthorized or noncompliant users or devices from the business’s private network.
   • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
     • Certain permissions are granted to users depending on their role and power.
     • Prohibits those within the organisation from gaining information and access above their role and management.
   • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
     • A security measure that requires two or more login processes.
     • For example, a website might ask for a password, along with a confirmation code sent to an email address.
5. Network Segmentation
   • Segment your network into smaller subnetworks
   • Improves network performance, decreases congestion, isolates network traffic preventing malware infection from spreading onto other systems.
6. Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
   • This technology identifies and prevents unsolicited use or transfer of data being sent outside the local network system.
   • This maintains the integrity of the business and possible sensitive data exposure.
7. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
   • Establishes a protected connection when using public networks
   • Encrypts internet traffic and hides the business’s IP addresses
8. Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
   • A network security tool that regularly examines the network for any malicious content and acts to prevent it
   • Its role is to identify, report, block, and drop any suspicious activity

Businesses are highly recommended to institute various practices depending on their operations, size, financial situation, and overall security and preventative measures. Listed below are some notable protocols for small businesses to institute to ensure network security.

Best Practices to Ensure Network Security

1. Network Maintenance and Update
   • Why – Helps protect against system vulnerabilities
   • Action – Schedule frequent network inspections that will check for updates and apply patches or fixes
2. Network Segmentation
   • Why – Contains network traffic, isolating any potential breach from other local network systems
   • Action – Separate the guest Wi-Fi network from the administrative network
3. Employee Training and Awareness
   • Why – It is important that the business increases awareness and trains their employees about cyber security and actions to prevent potential breaches or attacks
   • Action – Hold a team meeting discussing network security and how to ensure cyber safety is maintained. Refer employees to this blog.
4. Strong Password Policies
   • Why – Prevents unauthorised access within the network whilst helping educate and reform employees on password strength awareness and ensuring uniqueness.
   • Action – Implement employee awareness and include a minimum number of certain symbols in each password to heighten variability.
5. System Audits and Testing
   • Regularly tests and identifies vulnerabilities or discordance within the system.
   • This can be achieved by performing a vulnerability assessment to identify security defects.
   • Furthermore, a simulated cyber-attack is performed to exploit system vulnerabilities. Once achieved, a detailed overlook of all system vulnerabilities will be identified.
   • Action – Hire a cybersecurity firm to engage in vulnerability assessment and penetration testing annually

Network security is crucial to protect your businesses against cyber threats. Understanding and researching key components, implementing the most appropriate and effective security measures, and administering certain practices, can overall strengthen your network security, protecting businesses and consumers’ data.

Data Breach Identifier

Has your business or employees been involved in a possible data breach? By clicking this link, it will take you to a website that scans and checks if a certain email address has been involved in a data breach. We recommend visiting the website and analyzing if you or an employee has been under threat.

References

“A Deep Dive into Network Security Solutions and Cybersecurity Services.” SLK, 10 Aug. 2023, www.slksoftware.com/blog/a-deep-dive-into-network-security-solutions-and-cybersecurity-services/

Australian Cyber Security Centre. (2023). Multi-factor authentication. Cyber.gov.au. https://www.cyber.gov.au/protect-yourself/securing-your-accounts/multi-factor-authentication

Email security | Cyber.gov.au. (2020). Cyber.gov.au. https://www.cyber.gov.au/protect-yourself/securing-your-email/email-security

Hunt, Troy. “Have I Been Pwned: Check If Your Email Has Been Compromised in a Data Breach.” Haveibeenpwned.com, 2023, haveibeenpwned.com/

Role-Based Access Control. (2022). Auth0 Docs. https://auth0.com/docs/manage-users/access-control/rbac

What is a VPN and how does it work? (2020, November 3). Kaspersky. https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/what-is-a-vpn

What is data loss prevention (DLP)? | Microsoft Security. (n.d.). Www.microsoft.com. https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/security/business/security-101/what-is-data-loss-prevention-dlp#:~:text=Data%20loss%20prevention%20is%20a

What is Intrusion Prevention System? | VMware Glossary. (n.d.). Www.vmware.com. Retrieved August 2, 2024, from https://www.vmware.com/topics/intrusion-prevention-system#:~:text=What%20is%20an%20intrusion%20prevention

What Is Network Security? (n.d.). Cisco. https://www.cisco.com/c/en_au/products/security/what-is-network-security.html#~how-network-security-worksWhat Is Network Segmentation? (n.d.). Palo Alto Networks. https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/cyberpedia/what-is-network-segmentation