Internet Security – 5 Types of IT Security Your Small Business Needs to Stay Safe

There are five types of internet security crucial for small businesses.

The concept of internet security isn’t as complicated as it sounds, though implementing safe technology practices is more nuanced. In the most simple terms, internet security, also known as IT security, refers to a set of cybersecurity strategies that prevent others from gaining unauthorized access to a company’s technology assets. When we discuss assets, we are referring to computers, networks, and data. IT Security keeps the integrity of a business in tact by guarding sensitive or confidential information and blocking the access of hackers.

Why is there a need for IT security?

As hackers continue to build upon their hacking techniques, the need to protect your business’ technology assets, network, and devices becomes even more important. A large security breach can put a small business in big peril. IT security helps prevent a hacker attack. It also helps plan ahead in the event of a cybersecurity breach to mitigate any potential damage or disruption to small business.

How can my company benefit from IT security?

IT security prevents potential security breaches from negatively impacting your business (and your bottom line). Internet security makes sure only authorized users can access your company’s most sensitive information. IT security assigns roles and sets parameters around what each user is able to view and change.

5 Types of IT Security

1. Network Security

Network security prevents hackers or unauthorized users from gaining access to your network. This type of internet security is key to prevent someone from getting inside your network. Network security helps to safeguard your confidential information. It also helps to keep the integrity of your business in tact. Network security has become an increasingly challenging topic, particularly amid the pandemic, as many businesses turned to remote operations and had to quickly find ways to connect with colleagues over home internet connections, with little infrastructure. The migration of services to various cloud strategies also added another layer of complexity and a great need for network security.

2. Internet Security

Internet security is two-prong. It refers to information that is exchanged within browsers, as well as the web-based applications that make up network security. The main role of internet security is to monitor incoming email and internet traffic for malware. Internet security is also responsible for keeping firewalls, antispyware, and antimalware up-to-date to ward off unwanted traffic.

3. App Security

App security or application security already comes built-in to your applications. As technology progresses, applications usually need to be upgraded. Some of the app upgrades are automatic but others must be performed manually. Over time, some applications may need to be retired or replaced to make sure there aren’t any weak spots in a company’s overarching cybersecurity strategy.

4. Cloud Security

Now that apps and data are moving to the cloud and being connected directly to the internet, information is no longer protected by the traditional security small businesses have become used to; this is where cloud security comes in. Cloud security helps keeps your company’s information safe while using software-as-a-service applications, better known as Saas, and cloud services.

5. Endpoint Security

Endpoint security refers to protection at the device level, also called endpoints. This means laptops, desktop computers, tablets, and mobile devices. Endpoints serve as access points to a business. As such, endpoint security prevents your company’s devices from accessing malicious networks that could pose a threat to your organization. Some examples of endpoint security include malware protection and device management software.

The Importance of Cybersecurity

Cyberattacks and security breaches are so common, that the importance of cybersecurity cannot be stressed enough, particularly when it comes to small business.

A cybersecurity report by Cybersecurity Ventures, the world’s leading researcher for the global cyber economy, and a trusted source for cybersecurity facts, figures, and statistics, predicts that this year there will be a ransomware attack on businesses every 11 seconds, up from every 40 seconds back in 2016. More than half of all cyberattacks are committed against small-to-midsized businesses, causing 60 percent of them go out of business within six months of falling victim to a data breach or hack. Check out these things your business can do right now to increase its internet security.

For support in implementing the different types of internet security or to probe the cybersecurity risk for your small business or request a cybersecurity audit, send us a an email.