| Security assessments and audits are vital aspects of | | | | exhausted list of problems that can arise, but it can |
| managing a network. If your company has never | | | | lead you in the wrong direction. A professional network |
| completed one, you may be due to have it completed | | | | administrator will be able to address each asset's |
| at this very moment. A network audit is recommended | | | | threat in a comprehensive list if you feel overwhelmed. |
| at least on a quarterly basis, occasionally this may be | | | | Analyse each threat. |
| even more frequent, depending on your organisation's | | | | How does each threat interrupt your business |
| needs. | | | | operations? Network administrators and Chief |
| In most of today's demands for new technologies, you | | | | Information Officers (CIOs) are responsible for building |
| need to take the necessary procedures to protect | | | | a corresponding list that removes the mystery of |
| yourself from perpetrators. Creating a network | | | | security risks. The execution of the protective steps |
| security audit is the first step in protecting all of your | | | | must be overviewed by professionals with experience |
| assets, physical and intangible, which can help save | | | | - it is vital to get one of the UK's finest IT networkers |
| your company time and money. | | | | are available to help you. |
| What happens in your audit? | | | | When is it the most important? |
| You have to list assets, review current threats, | | | | A security audit is very important. You have to |
| analyse each threat and develop a plan to counter | | | | consider the possibilities of losing information if a |
| issues that arise in your network. Some of the best | | | | backup defaults, employees entering unauthorised files, |
| networks are penetrated, but the likelihood of it | | | | and potential hackers from outside the organisation. |
| happening again is rather low if the audits are done | | | | Without addressing these issues now, you can lose |
| correctly. | | | | the power to control your business' protection against |
| List assets. | | | | an IT attack. Another crucial step in managing your |
| 'Assets' are computers, company information, credit | | | | security audit is to use the latest and most reliable |
| card numbers and other important physical | | | | network testing software to pinpoint issues that can |
| technologies in your business. A few other tangibles | | | | harm your operations. |
| include cameras, PDAs, laptops, mouse, and printers | | | | Preparation is the best way to prevent problems with |
| (mostly in small businesses). All of these pieces of | | | | your network. Security reinforcements and addressing |
| equipment are important in identifying possible issues | | | | issues early are smart steps towards prevention. |
| that happen when in use. If you want a thorough list of | | | | Without a solid plan in place, there can be problems |
| your inventory, it is time to make a tracking sheet that | | | | you cannot overcome in the future. If you are not sure |
| includes the users' names, designated property and | | | | that an audit is necessary, contact a local network |
| purpose of the assets in their possession. | | | | administrator to discuss possibilities or points of interest |
| Review current threats. | | | | regarding your company. There are problems circling |
| What are your current threats? It may include lack of | | | | your network that are unseen - keep them at bay by |
| password encryption, email hacks and even data | | | | preventing occurrences now. |
| backups that do not work. Many businesses have an | | | | |