| Computers are at the heart of nearly every business, | | | | One essential part of the organization's security policy |
| from massive corporations to small family retail shops. | | | | should deal with software updates. New vulnerabilities |
| However, without a solid computer security policy, | | | | are discovered every day and patches plug these |
| threats such as viruses or spyware could threaten | | | | holes and protect your system. Pushing updates from |
| your organization's financial future. It is important for | | | | a central server allows more control over end user |
| business owners to be proactive and secure their | | | | systems but often increases the burden on IT staff. |
| information systems before it's too late. | | | | Reputable malware applications include automatic |
| Security Software Provides Non-Stop Protection | | | | update capability to allow user computers to stay |
| It is impossible for IT staff to monitor and react to | | | | current without requiring IT intervention. |
| threats against the system. Any modern business | | | | The Best Security Is A Padlock |
| needs security software to protect the system around | | | | Don't put all your faith in security software. Many |
| the clock. An anti-malware application keeps malicious | | | | intruders still break into businesses the old fashioned |
| software from installing itself, whether it comes from a | | | | way: with a crowbar. Once inside they have free |
| site exploiting a browser vulnerability or from a user | | | | access to all your computers, which is why any |
| installing spyware masquerading as a game. | | | | computer security program should also include physical |
| Modern anti-malware applications have moved beyond | | | | measures. Not only should the building be locked, but |
| the signature technology of the past. They react to | | | | individual offices should be locked as well. The more |
| suspicious behavior, protecting the system from new | | | | obstacles in a person's path, the less likely the intruder |
| viruses or spyware automatically. Automatic updates | | | | will successfully steal information or erase information. |
| ensure the software has the information on the latest | | | | Outside intruders aren't the only threat. Servers should |
| security threats and can react accordingly. Today's | | | | be in a secured room with only authorized IT staff |
| applications run efficiently, putting little strain on the | | | | allowed access. Disgruntled workers can cause |
| system and doing their jobs quietly in the background. | | | | serious harm to a server, but an even bigger threat is |
| Creating And Enforcing Security Policies | | | | often the helpful employee who took an Access class |
| You can't expect users to make smart decisions | | | | two years ago and is convinced he can fix the |
| about computer use. Even experienced computer | | | | database. |
| professionals can compromise system security if they | | | | Computer security is too important to be treated as an |
| don't have the guidance of companywide security | | | | afterthought. Don't wait for disaster to strike to realize |
| policies. Rules on subjects such as third party | | | | you need to secure your company information. Instead, |
| software, password complexity or authorization to | | | | consider installing malware protection as the central |
| work from home should be spelled out in no uncertain | | | | piece of a comprehensive security plan. |
| terms and distributed to all employees. | | | | |