Direct Support | Network Security

Many businesses use networked IT systems and the Internet as a means to increase productivity. But they can also facilitate accidental or malicious attacks on companies’ data.

Direct Support are expert at providing workable security solutions to small and medium sized businesses. We can help you create a company security policy which will reduce the risk of data loss through faulty equipment, human error or malicious attack and yet maintain the productivity you need.

Virus Protection

Viruses and worms can very quickly wreak havoc on your business’s network. It is essential that virus protection is installed on your system otherwise you risk losing vital data and may be unable to work for several days.

Direct Support can advise on the best ways to protect your systems from attack. In addition, we are highly skilled in cleaning viruses and getting systems working again quickly should you suffer an infection.

Firewalls

A firewall acts as a secure barrier between your private IT systems and the public Internet to protect your network from security threats on the Internet. There is available a large range of firewall applications, suitable for one PC through to networks with 100 or more users. Direct Support can help you choose and install a firewall right for your business.

With all firewalls, it is advisable that they receive continued maintenance to ensure patches against latest threats are installed and your system remains protected. We can provide this on an ad-hoc basis or as part of a service agreement.

Spam Filtering

Spam is one of the most irritating by-products of the Internet age. Email spam targets individuals with direct mail messages which are usually totally irrelevant or involve dubious “get rich quick” schemes. Spam can reduce productivity by wasting time for end users who have to filter out irrelevant emails or messages. In addition, spam costs relatively little to send with the recipient bearing the majority of the cost of receiving unwanted mail. It can also “block” up some of your network bandwidth and make ADSL and ISDN connections slower and less efficient.

There are several ways you can keep your network free of spam and ensure high productivity, block inappropriate content form reaching users, conserve network bandwidth and keep spam-related security risks to a minimum.

These services scan the contents of emails and can stop all types of email borne threats: viruses, worms and malicious macros and spam email, before the emails arrive at your computer. Your mail is simply routed through a filtering application before it gets onto your internal network, then screened for viruses and spam before being forwarded to your mail server. Updates happen automatically so that the latest spammers' tricks can't get through your defences.

Authentication

Passwords are the main method of protecting computer data from unauthorised access. However, they need to be chosen with care to ensure they are effective. Direct Support can help advise on choosing effective and easy to remember passwords.

There are additional methods to protect access to commercially sensitive data such as Security ID keyfobs which Direct Support can supply and install for you.

Content Filtering

Many businesses gain essential information and resources through the Internet. However, there is a risk of offensive and irrelevant material reducing worker productivity and clogging your ADSL/ISDN bandwidth.

Direct Support can advise, supply and install a variety of systems to suit various budgets and concerns that effectively “police” Internet use in your business.