Today, the corporate network is an essential element that cannot be underestimated. It serves as a critical backbone for any business, enabling the rapid exchange of information between devices and more. Its importance also makes it a target for those with malicious intentions. In this article, we’ll provide some guidance on how to create and maintain a secure network.
Router
The first step in properly managing your connection is finding the right location for your router. This is because the router can be tampered with. Therefore, it is crucial to control access to it and verify that no unknown devices are connected.
Pay attention to network names
The network name should have specific characteristics that must be carefully considered to avoid surprises. It should be clear but should not provide any information about the router model or network service provider. Such details could be useful to a hacker in planning an attack.
Dividing the network
Another important aspect not to be overlooked is dividing the corporate network into multiple networks. While it’s polite to provide guests with Wi-Fi access, it is equally important to ensure that this network is separate from the one used by employees. Unknowingly, a guest might connect a device that has been compromised, potentially leading to infections across the network.
It is essential to create a guest network separate from the main one to ensure that, even in the worst-case scenario, accessing confidential information becomes significantly more difficult, thus maintaining the security of your business.
Strong passwords
Building a secure infrastructure for your business is practically useless if it is not protected by strong passwords. We discussed this in another article. Passwords represent a major vulnerability that must be addressed. A short password, a common name, or even including the company’s name poses a serious risk. Therefore, it is necessary to implement a corporate policy that strongly emphasizes the creation of secure passwords, possibly with the help of dedicated generators.
A secure password should contain uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as a variety of symbols. This increases complexity and makes it more challenging to successfully carry out an attack.
Firewalls
A properly configured firewall is undoubtedly the first line of defense against external attacks. Most modern routers now come with integrated firewalls that can be customized. These help protect your network. It is equally important that all computers connected to the network also have firewalls, ensuring that all potential weak points are adequately covered.
Two-factor authentication
Another potential solution to enhance your corporate network’s security is requiring two-factor authentication before accessing the network. This adds an extra layer of security since, even if a device is compromised, a code would be sent to a second device, making the attack significantly more difficult.
The effectiveness lies in the fact that two devices must be compromised. While not impossible, it adds a layer of complexity that may discourage hackers.
Consulting third parties
There are companies that specialize in managing corporate networks, allowing you to focus solely on what truly matters to you. These services come at a cost but significantly reduce the expertise required within your organization. An internal staff member would need a highly specialized background to handle such a delicate task. Engaging a team of experts might be the best solution, but it should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
