Today's cyberattacks require a combination of security techniques
An October 2006 eWEEK article reported the discovery of a new breed of Trojan that, like previous Trojans, was designed to command other infected machines to send spam. What's different is that this new Trojan had its own antivirus software to protect and hide it from detection.
In another incident reported in a June 2006 eWEEK article, hackers used advanced search techniques to peruse data on a computer that had opened itself up to inspection via a malicious peer-to-peer (P2P) application.
Still other attacks, such as phishing attacks, rely on deceptive e-mail messages that try to lure a user to a Web site that either automatically downloads malicious software or asks the user to enter information such as passwords or credit card numbers.
Despite the attacks' technological advances, however, combining perimeter defenses with desktop and application protection to form a complete security solution can thwart many of them.
In addition, three other factors make a multilayered security solution even more important to safeguarding your business and its data.
The people factor
Part of the challenge in protecting against today's threats is that employees are often the weakest link. Strong, uniform security habits at the user level are critical. When your own people fail to follow and enforce company security standards, the risk of your business falling victim to a cyberattack increases significantly.
In some cases, employees install unsafe software or visit suspect Web sites. What's more, they don't protect their passwords. A 2006 survey of
325 companies done by the consulting firm Nucleus Research found that one-third of users write down passwords, and one-third of those write it on paper (such as a sticky note). But equally troubling is that the other two-thirds keep their passwords as text files on their computers, where they are easily stolen. The enforcement of a uniform security policy and safe user habits, while not something you can simply buy, are essential to the success of your company's security solution.
The mobile factor
In today's business environment, protection must also extend beyond the organization to remote mobile workers. These workers are likely to use either broadband services in their home or on the road and must be given a secure way to connect to the company network.
Providing mobile users with access to applications, data and information requires a mix of different internetworking equipment and management and security software. For instance, it is common to set up a virtual private network (VPN) to give employees and partners outside the office access to company e-mail, intranets and databases. In these scenarios, your solutions need to combine hardware, software and services that give different users different levels of access based on their roles and responsibilities.
The wireless factor
Today, even onsite employees might need wireless access to files and e-mail during meetings or while at other company campus locations. In fact, such access is increasingly seen as essential to help boost worker productivity. To provide this working flexibility, companies often turn to wireless networks that supplement traditional office network connections. These situations often necessitate data encryption to secure the wireless connection through wireless access points.
Let CDW assist you with multilayered security
A multilayered approach to security includes hardware, software, services and the enforcement of a uniform security policy and safe user habits. What's more, you'll need ongoing support to ensure that your solution remains up to date to meet new threats as they occur.
Your CDW account manager can help you assess your current infrastructure for specific vulnerabilities and help you choose the right multilayered security solution to protect your business now and in the future.
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Multilayered security and your business
Multilayered security solutions help you focus on the following business challenges:
• Safeguard data integrity and privacy
• Assure customers their information is safe
• Avoid downtime caused by infected systems
• Manage business risk in all areas of operations
• Secure your business operations and IT infrastructure
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CDW Leasing
CDW offers four different leasing terms with three end-of-lease options. Leasing specialists are available to assist you with quotes, account information or any questions that you have. To learn more, contact your CDW account manager today.
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