The Importance of Network Security & Support for Small Businesses

Network security and support should be one of the highest priorities for any organization, even small businesses. Technology drives most day-to-day business operations, and a company's computer network is an asset that need proper support, ongoing monitoring, and a high-level of security. Below we delve into why all small businesses need some level of network security and support to help protect their company's digital assets.

What is Network Security?

A network is a large system of interconnected computers. The whole point of a network is to make it possible for people to access remote areas without physically having to be present there. Even for smaller networks, it is very important that important information be kept safe from any outside agents. This is where computer network security comes into play. It is an essential tool to protect your company’s information and data.

Why Do Small Businesses Need Network Security?

In today’s digital age, the threat from hackers and cyber criminals is a pressing concern. It is the duty of small organizations to ensure that the data of their employees and clients are protected in the best possible manner. In fact there are a number of laws that make it compulsory for businesses to have adequate network security measures.

Most businesses have financial and personal information of clients and employees. Hence it is vital that a good security system be in place, at least one with basic firewalls and anti-virus protection. Consulting with a professional computer network security company is a good way determine your needs and get a sound protocol established.

What are the problems that can arise from inadequate network security?

There are a number of problems that can arise if your sensitive data falls into the wrong hands:

a. Confidentiality Breach: There is definitely certain information that a company would like to keep out of their competitor’s reach. Improper security makes it easier for criminals to access this.
b. Data Destruction: Sometimes important data could be destroyed and this can have repercussions on your company’s operations.
c. Data Manipulation: It will be possible for hackers to manipulate data without you even realizing that anything has been changed.
d. Phishing: Many hackers will use phishing techniques to gather personal information about your employees and clients. This can enable them to break into their bank accounts or use their credit card numbers.

How to Protect Your Business?

There are many measures that can be taken to improve your company security.

Strong passwords and reliable anti-virus software are an absolute must. It would also be good to enable firewalls to enhance security. Make sure that mail attachments are opened only when there is a reliable source. The business network and IT support team should periodically monitor access to networks, memory sticks and other plug-in devices.

The following four-step program is essential for good network security:

a. Secure: Make sure all your data is protected with adequate authentication.
b. Examine: Constantly monitor these safeguards to ensure that there is no breach.
c. Test: Keep random tests to gauge the vulnerability of your system.
d. Enhance: Take the necessary action whenever there is a need to improve security.

Another important feature is to have a support system in place if there are any security breaches. After all you need to be in control, even if your system responds in a peculiar way that you cannot quite understand. Having adequate support ensures that you can handle any situation in the best possible manner.

Why NAID-Certified Hard Drive Destruction is the Only Way to Ditch Old Computers

Information technology keeps evolving and getting lighter, faster, and more powerful. Unfortunately, in the same time with technology advances, the infractions related with IT are on the rise too.

Computers and electronic devices are a preferred target for thieves looking to steal personal or corporate information and to compromise privacy. For this reason, it is important for businesses to take the appropriate steps in order to protect their computers, IT systems and data from such malevolent attempts. That goes for computers that are ready to be disposed of.

Getting Rid of Old Technology, the Righteous Way

What can a business do with their old PCs, hard drives, flash drives and other electronic media that are outdated? Companies use software to delete data from their hard drives, but these practice still leave them at risk of a security breach.

It is a mistake to think that data on hard drives can be erased by conventional means. Reformatting a hard drive still leaves the possibility that the information once stored on the hard drive is restored, even when done with professional computer network security and support. Besides the potential security risks, companies also face fines for improper disposal of hard drives.

When hard drive destruction is not handled in a proper way, it can lead to permanently damaged reputation and to millions of dollars in damages. Regardless of whether a company activates in an industry that is subject to stringent regulatory requirements and privacy laws, your no organization can afford to risk confidential and sensitive business information falling into the wrong hands.

The best approach is to only seek hard drive destruction services by company that's certified by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID). The process involves removing the hard drive and its physical destruction. NAID certified companies, like Confidential Security Corporation are specialized in secure paper shredding and computer hard drive destruction. Certified and secure hard drive destruction is the only mean that ensure 100 percent permanent data destruction from hard drives.

Setting the Standard for Hard Drive Destruction & Secure Document Disposal

NAID sets the industry standards for information destruction and they offer the NAID certification, which is a voluntary program for companies that provide services of secure information destruction.

The certification program, which was developed by professionals in information security, it is recognized by thousands of governmental and private organizations worldwide. In order to pass the certification, the NAID certification auditors verify that the proper protocols are in place in order to ensure that the security of the confidential material is preserved throughout all stages of the destruction process.

Practice & Benefits of NAID-Certified Hard Drive Destruction

The hard drive are psychically destroyed by the specialized companies using a hard drive hammer or through a certified shredding process. The NAID certified companies use best practices for hard drive destruction and disposal, in compliance with current HIPAA, PHI, PCI, GLBA, FACTA, NIST, NSA and other industry standards and requirements.

It is important to have a NAID approved company for hard drive destruction in order to ensure that the process is handled and documented properly. Physical hard drive destruction is the only safe mean to eliminate the various risks related to personal and business information access on sensitive data such as:

• Medical information
• Social Security Information
• Credit Card Data
• Bank account information
• Trade information
• Trade secrets
• Business strategies
• Customer information
• Classified and confidential data
• Government and military records.

NAID certified hard drive destruction companies can also provide onsite destruction services by using state of the art mobile hard drive shredders.

Best Websites to Find Solid IT Jobs With Reputable Tech Companies

The Information Technology (IT) industry offers wide range of opportunities, but finding a desirable job in IT can be a challenge. In addition to defining your niche in the IT profession, it's not easy pinpointing reputable IT companies that are locally-based in your area, in addition to hiring young talent.

IT graduates that are willing to relocate have a greater chance of finding an IT job, and one that will keep them happy. Regardless, it's important to know where to look. Whether you're seeking a gig in business IT support, corporate IT consulting, strategic computer networking, or on-site IT staffing, below we highlight three great websites that maintain regularly updated job listings from some of the most reputable IT companies in the industry.

TechCareers.com

TechCareers.com is a highly-acclaimed, community-based website that enables prospective IT employers to connect with job seekers. The community aspect of TechCareers.com helps facilitate networking opportunities while building quality relationships.

IT job seekers can search the website's constantly updated database to discover precise opportunities spanning from IT consulting, business solutions, and IT support. Users can also connect with IT employers that are focal to engineering and niche topics not directly defined as "tech companies." What's also neat about TechCareers.com are the "Career Portfolios" - which allow job seekers to showcase their professional achievements.

ITJobs.com

As one of the most popular websites to find a wide range of IT careers available, ITJobs.com contains a wealth of information about various jobs available in the IT profession. The website's simple user interface makes it easy for IT job seekers to browse with ease. Users can browse opportunities by job category, which is broken-down into specific areas of the IT support and consulting profession, such as: network systems, client/server, Internet/intranet/extranet, applications consulting, and software testing, to name a few.

Other handy features found at ITJobs.com are the site's Post Resume option, which makes it easy for IT companies to find potential employees that meet their needs. The Links section of the website is also robust with many different resources and businesses spanning from local computer repair shops to other job listing websites. This can help job seekers do some outreach to relevant companies that spark their interests.

ITJobsWeb.com

Although ITJobsWeb.com is still be erected and has yet to reach its fullest potential, the website showcases a full spectrum of IT careers available for recent graduates with little professional experience. In the left hand navigation, you'll see that you can search IT jobs by type, making it easy to pinpoint the niche you want to pursue.

ITJobsWeb.com also enables job seekers to post their resume for potential employers to check out. Additionally, you can search for IT jobs with companies based in certain geographic areas. So whether you're seeking an IT staffing agency in New York, a local computer repair company, or an IT consulting company in Bloomington, this site makes it rather efficient to do so.

Do you know of any good website to find jobs and careers in IT consulting, support, computer repair, and more? Let us know in the comments section below.