All posts by SystemsNet Administrator

Benefits of Using WebRoot DNS for Web Gateway Security

Security, , ,
Team of IT professionals in an office using a computer showing WebRoot DNS digital features.

Preventing harmful websites and malware from attacking your company data.

Is your business hosting sensitive client data on the web? Do you have hundreds of clients that need the best state-of-the-art web security to keep their personal information safe?

If so, WebRoot DNS is the perfect choice for you! Your customers will never have another question about the security and privacy of their data on the web! WebRoot DNS provides cloud-based security solutions, which include: Web Filtering Services (WFS), Web Security Service (WSS), and a new Website Protection Platform (WP).

Why choose WebRoot DNS?

Having a DNS filter and web gateway security system is important as it protects your company’s assets. It also allows you to control what users can access, such as content that needs to be filtered for sensitive information.

This will help you avoid any downtime due to hacking, unauthorized intrusion, and other attacks on your systems by monitoring the types of traffic in and out of your network. It also helps with compliance requirements like PCI-DSS and HIPAA/HITECH Act regulations.

This blog post will explore some benefits that come from having this type of protection in place, so read on!

Benefits of using WebRoot DNS

Webroot DNS Protection prevents access to harmful websites and malware by locking down the domain name system (DNS) your company uses for Internet browsing. It ensures that URLs you type into a browser are safe, blocking over 88% of all threats to your network before they can do any harm.

Webroot protects you from malware, viruses, and ransomware. Its DNS protection blocks inbound threats for devices and networks, and it provides cloud-based threat intelligence services to give you 24/7 all-around security by covering your devices too!

Some of the many benefits of using WebRoot DNS include:

1. Endpoint protection

Endpoint protection, often referred simply as endpoint security, refers broadly to cybersecurity services for network endpoints—meaning laptops/desktops computers; smartphones/tablets; servers (cloud-based); virtual machines used in cloud computing environments), etc.

With security breaches occurring on a daily basis and the personal information of millions of people worldwide at risk, it is essential to protect our vulnerable endpoints. Endpoint protection can help stop malware from infecting your device with all sorts of nasty viruses that are out there trying to steal your most private data or cause other damage such as deleting files. It also includes protection services like web filtering so you don’t unintentionally visit an unsafe website which could lead to more problems down the road.

2. DNS protection

Webroot DNS provides control over internet access by blocking malicious browser activity and enabling strict Internet usage restrictions. One of the best features is that it protects your servers with a domain filter service, registering the WAN IP address associated with your network to prevent hackers from accessing sensitive data like private passwords or financial information.

3. Web filtering services

Automated filtering offered by WebRoot DNS can help to block requests to undesirable, dangerous, or malicious internet domains even when encrypting DNS over HTTPS. This helps to avoid most of the threats before they affect your network and endpoints.

Conclusion

Webroot DNS Protection lets you easily and securely control how your employees are using the internet by limiting their access to only the sites that you want them to visit. Web-based management console makes it easy for admins to set up policies, while an intuitive interface helps users stay productive on work computers without having unrestricted web usage.

If you’re looking for an easy way to keep track of what’s going on in terms of malware protection across all devices connected to your network(s), Webroot DNS has got you covered. Contact our experts at SystemsNet to learn more!

Best Practices for Setting Up Your New Office for Success: Wired or Wireless?

Manage Service, ,
Business professional holding a tablet device while speaking with an IT professional about setting up his new office space.

Weighing the pros and cons of setting up your office space.

Setting up your new physical office can be an exciting time. Surveying your space and imagining the quality work that’s going to get done there fires up the imagination like nothing else. With lots of options and decisions to make, however, the job of planning your new office can quickly pivot from exciting to stressful. One of the underlying questions you’ll have to bear in mind before you get started is whether you want to set up your new office space on a wired or wireless model.

Wired or Wireless Model? Pros and Cons

When planning your set-up, before you get in the weeds with lighting, office furniture, and décor, you’ll want to decide if your new office will be wired or wireless.

Wired Offices

Though wireless technology creates lots of flexibility, wired offices still carry some distinct advantages:

  • Wired internet may prove faster than wireless
  • Wired networks typically have stronger security options
  • Wired set-ups are often less expensive than wireless ones

Of course, in a completely wired office, laptop and tablet users will be out of luck in freedom moving about the office.

Wireless Offices

Just like wired office set-ups, totally wireless offices come with their own benefits:

  • Wireless connections increase mobility
  • Wireless systems are quicker and easier to install, since there’s no fiddling with connections and cables
  • Wireless networks typically present a neater and tidier appearance
  • Wireless networks allow for the latest in technology (including laptops and tablets)

Despite all these advantages, an exclusively wireless office isn’t always the best choice.

Benefits of Hybrid Deployment

Back in 2012, experts over at Inc. predicted that “the future of your office is wireless” and that some time in the near distant future, all office would be exclusively wireless.

This wire-free future will be the result of several technologies that exist or are in development, including one called WiGig, a multigigabit wireless docking technology capable of speeds of up to 7Gbps that runs on spectrum in the unlicensed 60 GHz frequency band. These frequencies are great for short-range communications and require line of sight between devices. That means it doesn’t work well between rooms. (Inc.com)

In a way, reading that description is a bit like time traveling.

While the technologies being described above have come and even been surpassed by more powerful and innovative replacements, we still haven’t seen a hard pivot to totally wireless offices.

While there are exceptions, most offices today deploy a hybrid approach to networking and internet access, and there are distinct reasons why this works best.

Naturally, if you choose an exclusively wireless office, you’ll lose all the advantages that come with wired connections; and if you choose to set up an exclusively wired office, the reverse is also true.

By deploying a hybrid set-up, including both wired and wireless connections, however, you’ll allow for the best of both worlds.

  • Security and mobility
  • Speed and aesthetics
  • Affordability and dependability

If you’re looking for current best practices for setting up your new office for success this year, rather than debating between wired and wireless connectivity, you would do best to lean more toward an inclusive hybrid model.

Of course, with a hybrid model, you’ll want to pay special attention to your network security.

That’s where we come in.

SystemsNet Can Help

At SystemsNet, we offer affordable plans to protect you from cybersecurity threats. If you’re interested in adding or tightening security for your business but aren’t sure where to start, we offer free consultations to get you on the right track.

For more information on our premium services, or to discuss setting your new office up for success, please contact us today. We look forward to serving you!

5 Reasons Why Small Businesses Need Cyber Security

Security, , , , ,
IT professional using a laptop to program cybersecurity measures with a small business owner.

Protecting your business and customers with cybersecurity practices.

Did you know that over 58% of small business owners do not consider cyber attacks a threat? On the contrary, many small business owners tend to think that they are immune to these attacks. They believe that nobody is interested in their data- this creates an avenue for cybercriminals to explore.

Coming from a year where almost every aspect of life moved digital, cases of cyber attacks continue to rise. Now, more than ever, even small businesses need cyber security. Here is why:

1. Small Businesses are Easy to Attack

Large, established companies know that they are always vulnerable to cyber-attacks, so they annually spend millions on cybersecurity. With dedicated and talented staff, they can easily identify and neutralize threats as soon as possible.

On the other hand, small businesses do not have to put these tough measures in place- most companies do not protect themselves at all. As a result, cybercriminals can easily breach their security and do away with important data.

It is easier for criminals to have a successful attack on a small business than a giant. Taking the necessary precautionary measures prevents you from these attacks that can cause massive losses.

2. Inadequate Policies in Place

Most small businesses do not have data security policies. In case of an attack, these businesses are always underprepared- they take a lot of time to react.

Having good policies in place makes the job tougher for cybercriminals and gives your staff adequate time to respond to the attacks and make amends.

3. Cases of Ransomware are on the Rise

Not long ago, WannaCry and NotPetya ransomware were used to attack middle-sized companies, holding their critical information hostage. For those who paid the ransom, they had their data back. For those who didn’t, they didn’t recover.

As a small business, you do not need to pay ransom to anybody- invest in cybersecurity.

4. It is Hard to Recover from Cyber Attacks

If huge businesses can feel the impact of cyber attacks, imagine what they do to small businesses. With your information gone, it is very hard to collect yourself and start again.

5. Clients Do Not Appreciate Data Breach

Even for small businesses, clients want to know that their data is safe with you. Having good cybersecurity policies will improve your business in many ways.

What to Do to Improve the Cybersecurity of Your Small Business

Cybercriminals invent new ways to attack every day. However, ensuring the following components of cybersecurity are in place will keep you going. They can help you repel, note, or anticipate an attack.

  • Regular security assessment
  • Secure your emails from spam
  • Apply security policies on your network. Manage passwords well
  • Embrace multi-factor authentication
  • Update your computers regularly
  • Use advanced endpoint detection and response
  • Encrypt every possible aspect of your business
  • Back up your data to the cloud
  • Have web gateway security
  • Use data engines for event and security logs
  • Tighten your mobile device security
  • The firewall should be on at all times
  • Dark web research- knowing all the passwords and accounts on the dark web in real-time
  • Train your employees on the benefits of security awareness.

Quit gambling with your business and allow us to keep you safe. No cybersecurity fits all companies- you must have the services customized to suit your needs.

Need a Cyber Security Expert? Consider SystemsNet

At SystemsNet, we have the expertise and experience to do that. Our security options include multi-factor, Perch, SentinelOne, Webroot DNS,  profile protection and many other services. We can analyze the nature of your business and come up with an affordable plan that will protect you from cybersecurity threats.

Contact us today to choose your package. Please go through our blogs for more information and updates.

 

The Benefits of 24 x 7 x 365 Proactive Monitoring of Network Infrastructure

Manage Service, , ,
IT professional in an IT company using a tablet device performing proactive monitoring of networks.

Increase your company’s productivity through proactive network monitoring.

In IT, proactive network infrastructure monitoring is critical in order to ensure that systems are operating properly. Proactive monitoring allows IT teams to understand how systems are performing 24/7, which could help to prevent potentially costly network failures and server downtime. Unfortunately, instead of focusing on a proactive approach to infrastructure maintenance, many IT departments spend the majority of their time responding to unexpected problems. However, continuous monitoring can play a critical role in preventing problems and saving money, as this can allow solutions to be implemented before system failures occur, enhancing productivity. If your IT department currently takes a reactionary approach to network infrastructure maintenance, here is a look at just a few of the reasons why it is critical that you make the switch to proactive network infrastructure monitoring.

Proactive Monitoring Gives You More Control

As a modern business, your IT network is critical in ensuring that your company is productive, secure, and relevant. Proactive network infrastructure monitoring can then prove beneficial by helping you to ensure the health of your network. Monitoring allows you to keep track of the performance of hardware, ensuring that you are always aware of your server capacities and the health of your network. Continuous monitoring will provide you with resources to ensure that you have full control over your network at all times.

Prevent Potential Disasters

One of the biggest benefits of proactive network infrastructure monitoring is that it ensures that you always know how your network is operating. This helps to ensure that you are not caught off guard by unexpected problems. The last thing you want is to receive a phone call that your systems are down, as this can bring business to a halt. Proactive monitoring ensures that your network is always being observed for prospective problems or patterns indicating that a problem may soon arise, giving you time to make adjustments before there is a catastrophic system failure.

Increased Productivity

Of course, proactive network infrastructure monitoring can also be critical in helping to maximize productivity. Not only will proactive monitoring prevent downtime, which can severely dampen productivity, but it will also allow you to monitor your network for potential performance problems. As your network utilization grows, you will want to ensure that you are planning ahead for the additional bandwidth this will require. The last thing you want to have happen is to lose out on precious productivity because your network is being slowed down by too many users attempting to access your network at the same time. Fortunately, proactive monitoring allows you to check what is being used at any given time. Tracking usage patterns will allow you to ensure continuous service availability, preventing costly delays that a slow network can cause.

Proactive Monitoring Saves Money

A big reason to get ahead of the game with proactive monitoring of network infrastructure is that this can help you to reduce expenses and increase profits. The fact is that prevention through monitoring costs less in the long run. Instead of continuously reacting to problems as they arise, and struggling with the consequences of network downtime, proactive monitoring helps you to implement cost-effective solutions that will prevent these problems while saving you money. Additionally, ensuring that your employees have access to a fast, reliable network will boost productivity, potentially leading to increased profits.

In the long run, taking a reactionary approach to maintaining your network infrastructure will likely cost you time and money, putting you at a disadvantage over the competition. Feel free to contact us to learn more about proactive network monitoring and the benefits it can provide to your business.