NEW YORK (PRWEB) July 02, 2018 -- Now that Information Technology (IT) is basically integrated into almost every business function and in every organizational process – cyberattacks may now come in many different ways. ETech 7, a leading managed IT services provider, discusses how companies could deal with the most common IT vulnerabilities.
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What does IT Vulnerability mean?
In layman’s terms, IT vulnerability is a cybersecurity term that basically refers to an opening in a computer network or system that may be susceptible to an attack. These types of attacks may vary from the most common of viruses to the more intricate data breaches which are all geared towards exploiting sensitive information. In this day and age, more and more devices are connected to the internet which means that more and more opportunities arise for hackers as well.
“In reality, the speed with which hackers exchange information is faster than ever – meaning that computer system vulnerabilities may be exploited as soon as they are discovered,” says ETech 7 CEO Emil Isanov. “Having a dedicated IT team that’s proactive with the latest IT security issues and preventative measures should – most of the time – mitigate cybersecurity threats.”
But what should companies expect?
“Well, everything. Companies should expect that attacks may come from many different places since technology is basically involved in almost all of a company’s processes,” says Isanov. “For example, hackers can easily penetrate an outdated software especially after figuring out an unpatched software’s security flaws.”
In addition, Isanov claims that IT consulting companies oversee large data centers and put multiple layers of protections in place. However, user devices may still be breached by hackers. “By creating many different layers of protection, you are making it more and more difficult for hackers to acquire your data. Evaluating what your company needs and what types of security measures each department needs should be enough to keep attacks at bay.”
How can companies minimize vulnerabilities?
“As previously discussed, companies may be able to mitigate its vulnerabilities by basically staying on top of everything. However, the three most common ways to lessen IT vulnerabilities are automating software updates, periodically checking servers, and placing multiple layers of security,” says Isanov.
Software Update Automation
A lot of people will argue that software update automation may not always be the best idea. However, having a dedicated team to properly review and manage these patches will not only be beneficial overall for a company but also ensure that security, company productivity, and functionality are all up-to-date.
Isanov further adds that “It is understandable that a lot of companies – especially startups – do not have the necessary budget to hire a dedicated IT team to manage all of their IT needs. My advice is for these companies to check out managed IT services. The great thing about managed IT support is that companies may evaluate what their exact IT needs are and just pay for the stuff that they need.”
Periodic Server Checks
While having an automated software update system is clearly advantageous, having manual periodic server checks – in case something went wrong – is a great way to ensure that servers are working perfectly. In most cases, servers are reviewed to ensure that local firewall rules, unused accounts, and bloatware are all accounted for.
“At ETech 7, we strive to provide quality services for our clients. Clients tell us what they need and, as a managed IT services company, we try our best to suggest improvements to our clients’ systems, networks, software, and hardware. The regularity and thoroughness of our server checks depend on the extent of our clients’ needs,” says Isanov.
Multiple Layers of Security
“Think of data as your garden and your fence as your main security tool. Having only a fence to guard your garden would make it vulnerable to pests that can fly over your fence or burrow under it. To further protect your garden, you would have to avail of other security measures such as netting, pest repellents, and traps. In the world of cybersecurity – to ensure that your company is safe from attacks – your networks/systems should have web protection, anti-virus software, data encryption, firewalls, among others. The key is to determine what your company needs,” says Isanov.
With the mindset that attacks could come from anywhere, each security layer should have independent and individual capabilities in case another layer has flaws or is missing coverage. Each individual layer in a multiple security layer approach should focus on protecting a specific component of your system in the event of an attack.
“Having multiple layers of security is probably the most important security measure for companies that deal with sensitive data,” concludes Isanov. “In this day and age, there’s a plethora of managed services out there that could cater to every company’s needs. Knowing what you need and properly communicating it with your IT team or a managed IT services provider should ensure peace of mind and allow business continuity.”
For more information about ETech 7, you can visit our website at https://www.etech7.com/ as well as our tech blog at https://blog.etech7.com/.
Andro Yuson, ETech 7, https://www.etech7.com/, +1 (212) 997-1202, [email protected]
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