It doesn’t matter if you’re a small business, a large enterprise, or if you're in a rural town, or a larger city. You still have to worry about the security of your data and the integrity of your infrastructure. Thankfully, there are services out there that allow even small businesses to leverage powerful, enterprise-level tools for maximum network security. The most valuable of all is perhaps the Unified Threat Management (UTM) tool.

A UTM combines several enterprise-grade security solutions and delivers them in one compact package. Included in a UTM is a firewall, antivirus solution, spam blocker, and content filter. These four solutions combined are the ideal approach to small business network security.

Set Up a Firewall
The firewall is like a bouncer to your network, scanning any incoming or outgoing traffic for threats or notable inconsistencies. By limiting the data flowing into and out of your network, you can effectively mitigate many attacks before they come to fruition. Of course, even the best firewalls can’t keep out every single threat, which is why the rest of the UTM’s functionality is especially important.

Implement an Antivirus Solution
While most desktops come with consumer-grade free antivirus, you don’t want to rely on this to protect your business from online threats. They provide, at best, passable protection. An enterprise-grade antivirus solution can scan your system to identify known threats on your network, including viruses, malware, and so much more. A specialized tool is often the only way to identify some threats that may remain undetected, so a comprehensive antivirus solution is much desired for any security-minded business.

Keep Spam Out of Your Inbox
Spam is not just a waste of time, it is also a threat to your business’s network security. All it takes is one employee clicking the wrong link or downloading the wrong attachment to compromise data and expose it to threatening entities. Furthermore, spam is the preferred method of spreading malware and viruses, specifically because many messages can be sent all at the same time. The best way to protect your organization is to keep spam out of your inboxes in the first place with spam protection.

Filter the Web’s Endless Content
The Internet is a place filled with endless possibilities and opportunities, but not all of them are great for your business. Some content on the Internet can be malicious in nature, including websites designed to harvest credentials and websites laden with malware or viruses. A web content filter can keep your employees away from unsafe or wasteful online content, and it can be implemented on a per-user basis.

What is the state of your business’s network security? 415 IT can help your business optimize it to ensure that you minimize the chances of a data breach. Proactive measures can go a long way toward securing your organization, so reach out to us today to get started.