Filed under Blog …

Did you know that more than half of the U.S. businesses out there have outdated networks? Well, sad to say, this also means that a ludicrous number of companies out there are lacking the protection and benefits associated with an upgraded network. In other words, a business with an outdated network equates to an unprotected business susceptible to security breaches such as data theft, which leads to decline in production and profit loss. Furthermore, a business that runs on an outdated network is also a business that lacks the technological advantages that its recently-upgraded competitors have already put in place.

In this blog, we’re going to discuss the dangers of working with an outdated network as well as shed light on the top three ways unprotected businesses are victimized. However, we will most definitely end on a good note and provide some ways that you can keep, the current commercial network that you do have in place, safe. But first, let’s evaluate…where does your business rate on the network safety scale?

IS YOUR BUSINESS’ CURRENT NETWORK SAFE?

You may not need to upgrade every aspect of your commercial network, so it’s important to have a clear idea what needs to be changed. If you don’t have a full-time IT department, consider bringing in an outside consultant. Here are the areas you should evaluate:

Security: Does your business have strong firewalls, VPNs, antivirus protection, etc.? Your business’ routers, switches, access points, and other enterprise equipment should all work together to create cohesive safeguards against hacking.

Disaster Recovery: What happens to your company’s vital data if a server goes down? Your system should have built-in redundancy for protecting business-critical information.

Reliability: Can your employees count on having clear, uninterrupted access to the internet and server information all day, every day? Business operations shouldn’t be delayed simply because your network can’t keep up.

Ease of Use: How easy is it for your employees to use the business network? This goes beyond having instant access to internet from anywhere in the building. Your business phone system, teleconferencing equipment, conference room presentation technology, and more can all be connected into a single system that’s simple to use.

THE DANGERS OF WORKING WITH AN OUTDATED NETWORK:

Data Loss: If your network hasn’t been set up with appropriate disaster recovery measures, a damaged server could mean that you lose vital company data forever.

Network Outages: Network outages happen, but in most cases, your IT department can have you up and running in a few minutes. However, if you have an older network that is no longer supported by the manufacturer, you could easily run into problems that could take days to resolve, leaving you without network access.

Security Breaches: Network manufacturers consistently release updates to their devices as new network security risks emerge. However, if your network is outdated, you’re most likely using components that are no longer supported for manufacturer maintenance. This leaves your company’s network exposed to security threats.

Incompatibility with New Tech: There have been a lot of great innovations in business technology in recent years, but companies with obsolete networks might not be able to take advantage of them if their network devices don’t support the newer components.

IN WHAT WAYS ARE OUTDATED BUSINESSES VICTIMIZED?

There are many types of online threats, and some of them are not obvious. In all actuality, a severe threat can potentially shut down your business if you have an outdated network. Here’s an overview of three of the most common dangers:

VIRUSES: Viruses are programs that get into your system and do damage. Once it gets into your network, it replicates itself, infecting files throughout. They can perform various types of harmful activities on your system.
SPYWARE: Spyware is a type of software that allows an outside entity to view files, gather information and potentially gain control of a computer or network without your knowledge or consent.
ADWARE: Another type of malware is adware. Adware can infect your server and cause it to automatically spam programs on files stored on it. Eventually, the output will overload the server and it will shut down, halting all network use.

HOW CAN I PROTECT THE NETWORK I ALREADY HAVE?

It’s not impossible to keep your network safe, though any single solution probably won’t protect you from every threat. That’s why it’s best to maintain a series of defences that work together in order to ensure the safety of your network. Here are some examples:

NETWORK FIREWALL: Firewalls monitor network traffic based on rules you or your programmer have set. They’re typically used to protect from incoming threats from the internet, which can’t be totally trusted.

ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE: Antivirus software monitors and detects computer viruses and other malware. Most modern and efficient versions will also protect from other threats, allowing you to isolate and solve issues before they become a problem.

VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORKS: If you have employees working remotely, you’ll want to utilize a virtual private network, or VPN. It will grant secure access to all important data and files over the internet. Rest assured though, only authorized users will be permitted access.

However, a modern networking solution isn’t just something you should implement to avoid a data breach or server downtime. Upgrading your network will help your company operate more efficiently and effectively as well as ensure that your business remains current with its competitors.

If you think it’s time to evaluate your commercial networking system, contact Custom Audio Video. We are the networking experts that can provide the diagnosis as well as handle all of your business’ IT needs. Trust us to ensure the safety of your company.

Make upgrading your network a priority with Custom Audio Video