Network security helps to protect your computers and network system from intruders and viruses.

A network security system typically relies on many layers of protection and consists of multiple components including networking monitoring and security software in addition to hardware and appliances. All of these components work together to increase the overall security of the computer network.

Your IT partner will explain to you that network security refers to any activities designed to protect your network. Specifically, these activities protect the usability, reliability, integrity, and safety of your network and data. Effective network security targets and identifies a variety of threats and stops them from entering or spreading on your network.

There are many network security threats today that are spread over the internet. The most common include:

• Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses
• Spyware and adware
• Zero-day attacks, also called zero-hour attacks
• Hacker attacks
• Denial of service attacks
• Data interception and theft
• Identity theft

There is no single solution that protects you from all of these threats. You need multiple layers of security. If one fails, others still stands.

Network security is accomplished through hardware and software.  You must constantly keep updating your protection to keep threats away from your computer and networking system. As the network security system consists of many components that work together, this  minimizes maintenance and improves security.

Network security components often include:

• Anti-virus and anti-spyware
• Firewall, to block unauthorized access to your network
• Intrusion prevention systems, to identify fast-spreading threats, such as zero-day or zero-hour attacks
• Virtual Private Networks, to provide secure remote access

The benefits of an effective network security in place are so vast that they are hard to measure, and will give you and your company peace of mind that your computer systems are safe and will function as you need them to run your business productively. A security system ensures that your company is protected against business disruption, which helps keep employees productive. Network security helps your company meet mandatory regulatory compliance. Because network security helps protect your customers’ data, it reduces the risk of legal action from data theft. Most importantly, network security helps protect a business’ reputation.  You’ve worked hard to build a strong reputation, to it is wise to invest in a computer security system that protects you and all you’ve worked to achieve.

For all of your computer security and network advice and support call or contact Alpha Engineering Associates at 410-295-9500.