3 Ways You Can Protect Your Data

Businesses have a lot of data to protect and it’s not so simple as implementing a catch-all solution that can keep your data secure. In fact, it takes several solutions working in tandem to maximize data security. We recommend a combination of a unified threat management tool, a Bring Your Own Device policy, and a virtual private network solution. Let’s take a longer look at them:

Unified Threat Management

A unified threat management tool consists of several security solutions wrapped into one. They include the following:

• Firewall: A firewall looks at the data flowing in and out of a network to keep any threats from passing.
• Antivirus: If a threat manages to sneak past the firewall, an antivirus solution can identify and eliminate it.
• Spam blocker: Email is one of the more susceptible business solutions to attack, but a spam blocker can keep these messages from being threats and wastes of time by keeping them out of the inbox in the first place.
• Content filter: Content filters keep employees from accessing dangerous or time-wasting websites throughout the workday.

All of this combines to form a comprehensive security tool that can significantly decrease the odds of being infiltrated by the myriad of threats out there.

Bring Your Own Device

Businesses need to be wary of mobile devices in the workplace, as they can become a bridge between online threats and your organization’s network if left unprotected. This is why we recommend that all businesses implement a BYOD policy that employees must adhere to in order to use their personal devices for work purposes. A proper BYOD policy should prioritize security through a mobile device management system that whitelists and blacklists applications, as well as provides the option to remotely wipe the devices should the need arise.

Virtual Private Networks

Virtual private networks, also known as VPNs, are particularly helpful for businesses that have devices out of the office that still need access to important data. A VPN acts as an encrypted tunnel, connecting your employees to important data in a secure environment. This keeps onlookers from stealing any data while it’s moving about, and it’s invaluable for organizations with many moving parts.

Washington Works can help your business get its security options in gear. To learn more, reach out to us at 301-571-5040.