http://www.unifiedsecure.com/ - Network security services are increasingly being implemented by businesses, large and small, in the face of the growing number and variety of Internet threats.

1. Network Security Services and Your Business
Network security services are increasingly being implemented by businesses, large and small,
in the face of the growing number and variety of Internet threats. Today, nearly all firms are
connected to the Internet at least to some extent, and thus are exposed to risks that simply did
not exist even a few years ago. However, many business owners or managers are ignorant both
of the full range of cyber-threats, and also of the various ways in which these threats could be
countered. This is particularly the case in the area of computer network security.
If your organisation's computer network is connected to the Internet, then it has a real need for
network security services to counter the huge expansion in computer viruses, Trojans, spyware,
inappropriate material and "phishing" emails that have burgeoned in recent years. Information
security is a critical area for any business that uses the Internet, and especially those that rely
on e-commerce. There are a few main areas of network security services to consider, as follows:
Firewall configuration review, to check that the rules currently followed by the firewall, and
the type of firewall used, are appropriate to the given situation.
Detailed audit of computers and devices (such as routers and firewalls), and their location on
the network. This includes a review of any DMZ (De-Militarised Zone) standing in front of
your organisation's core network.
Network vulnerability assessment, to check previously-addressed vulnerabilities to ensure that
they are still covered by effective countermeasures.
Penetration testing, to probe the defences actively for new vulnerabilities. This kind of test
should be approached with caution, since it has the potential to disrupt operational systems or
cause a temporary denial of service. The rules of engagement should be agreed in advance and
put in writing.
The above functions can either be provided by an in-house team (in the case of larger
organisations) or else can be outsourced to a specialist information security firm. In either case,
it is imperative that Unified security services are implemented at regular intervals, and especially
after any major changes to the network.
The gateway to your internal network is obviously the firewall. However, there is a great deal
more to network security services than just a firewall. Also involved are considerations such
as the following:
Network configuration: Does it have a DMZ? What Internet-facing computers and servers are
present?
Type and number of devices: The choice of whether to use a hub, a switch or a router will have
security implications, as will the question of what type of cabling has been installed.
Protocols and ports supported: If the network supports services and open ports that are not
actually required by your organisation, then they should be disabled for security reasons.