Days of having single, isolated networks are long gone. Today, even the smallest networks need some type of connectivity to the Internet, and here comes the exposure to the world with all of its benefits and risks. Independent analysis shows that in 1999, more than 90% of major companies were hacked. The problem is not limited to major companies; companies of all sizes are subject to hacker attacks.

Some managers think that their information is proprietary and has no value for others, so hackers are not attracted to their network. Not quite so, not everybody thinks the same way as you and I do. Intruders have many different motives for their actions which might not make sense to you.

Security is not something that you can buy off the shelf and inject into your network. It requires in-depth analysis of your infrastructure, information flow, and work procedures. Having a comprehensive security plan along with good design, implementation, and execution is one of the most essential elements of having a healthy operation. Also, choosing the right combination of hardware and software plays a major roll in implementing a successful security plan.

PetaNet can help you design, implement, and execute your security plan. We have strong background in all these areas, especially in design and management of various types of Firewall, including Symantec® Firewall appliances.

While Firewall does create a level of protection against hackers, it does not create protection against other forms of security threats such as viruses and various forms of malware (adware, spyware, ...). These threats require different types of attention and protection, and there are many good programs on the market for that purpose. However, new malicious programs surface almost every day. The challenge is to keep all the safeguards up-to-date. In a network environment, this is no easy task. You cannot rely on your users to be diligent on keeping their computer's protection up-to-date. Here is where centrally managed protection comes to the rescue. In a centrally managed protection environment, the servers automatically pull the most up-to-date signature files from the vendors' databases. As users logon to the network, the new signature files are pushed into their systems. As the result, users' computers are always protected, with absolutely no effort on their part, and very little IT administrative work.

We have extensive experience in setting up centrally managed protection environments. PetaNet is the authorized distributor of Webroot Software products, including the world famous Spy Sweeper Enterprise®.

Check your network's security
There are tools that allow you to check your network's Inbound & Outbound security. Gibson Research's ShieldsUp! is a wonderful tool that can check your network's inbound security. It can test your network's shield and probe its ports from the outside. It then displays the results in an easy to read and understand format.
To check your Network's outbound security you can download and run Leak Test, another wonderful tool from Gibson Research. It can check your network from the inside to see if Trojan horse programs can fool your firewall.

Check your Browser's vulnerability
One of the other areas of vulnerability is your Browser. Most new generation browsers, specially Microsoft Internet Explorer, now have new features to make them more functional. These new features definitely make them more powerful and functional, but unfortunately, open new security holes as well. These vulnerabilities could be as simple as revealing your personal information, up to much more serious threats of gaining control of your computer and accessing its information. Qualys, Inc. has a powerful Browser Check tool to check the vulnerability of your browser. It also shows you how to fix these vulnerabilities.