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An Increasingly Mobile Environment
IT support in Houston has been forced by the market to transition beyond simple on-site IT security solutions. Cloud computing makes it possible for an entire network to be “floated,” such that on-site servers are no longer necessary. DaaS (Desktop as a Service) makes it possible for remote employees to log into a company database or desktop. Then, they can bring up their occupational tasks and finish them from wherever they happen to be connected to the internet. That saves money in terms of equipment, space, and time. No longer do employees have to commute and no longer do they milk the clock. Additionally, they are only productive when clocked in, unless some abstruse situation forces things another direction.
Now all that sounds excellent, except for untrustworthy networks. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is affordable and ideal. Although, this may not always be a tenable solution for your company. However, what can be done in terms of security is educational expansion. IT support in Houston can help your remote employees exercise IT security practices that will safeguard your network:
- Only using trusted networks
- Employing multi-factor authentication protocols
- Educating employees internally
- Outsourcing password management to an MSP
Only Using Trusted Networks
Say you’re in a coffee shop and the Wi-Fi decides to quit. Then, you go through your Wi-Fi list and find some “unlisted” Wi-Fi option that is listed as “open.” This could be a hacker’s Wi-Fi used to leach onto corporate networks, through end-user portals accessing the cloud. So, you get the web for a bit, then the hacker “gets his” and cuts the connection. You go back to work and think nothing of it until the home system crashes and you have to drive to the main office for a meeting about computer security practices. What did you do wrong? You used an untrusted network. Don’t do that! Turn your Wi-Fi/Hotspot/Bluetooth connectivity off when you’re not using it. Only log onto secure networks and use a VPN if such a thing is available to you.
Employing Multi-Factor Authentication
You’ve, likely, encountered this already when you go to retrieve a forgotten password from your email account. You get a text message with a code you must type in to verify your identity, upon initial request. After you’ve typed in the code, which arrives via automated text message, then you’re granted access. This can be a great way to keep cybercriminals from exploiting your network. Employ multi-factor authentication protocols.
Educating Employees Internally
If employees don’t know where they’re making mistakes, how can they fix them? You must have training sessions. If you’ve got the right MSP, they can send a trainer. At the very least, educate your trainers so they can pass the knowledge on.
Password Management
It’s pretty easy to hack a bad password; that’s what imploded the DNC in 2016. Don’t let that happen to your business. MSPs can manage and update passwords more securely than many internal options. Use such solutions as they’re available.
Enhanced Mobile Security
IT support in Houston through ICS provides IT security solutions, which can help safeguard employees in most remote situations. Contact us to help protect your remote operations.
Further reading
ICS is a Texas-based 40-year-old technology company specializing in Managed IT, VoIP, Video Conferencing and Video Surveillance solutions for US and International businesses. ICS has over 4000 regional installations and specializes in multi-site businesses between 25 and 2500 employees. ICS’s customers enjoy the experience of ICS’s Total Care program which provides clients flat fee services with obsolescence and growth protection. Whether a customer elects to deploy their IT, Video Conferencing or VoIP in the cloud or on the customer’s premise, ICS can provide a full turn-key solution for our clients under one flat monthly fee.