Changes in the way we work can have a significant impact on cybersecurity, including network monitoring. Network developers are constantly changing systems so that their services are exposed to the internet.

Secure networks are the backbone of every modern business. With so many different attack vectors and entry points, relying on firewalls and point-in-time scanning is no longer enough. Companies need to understand how firewalls can be changed in real-time, so network monitoring must be done continuously.

What should be protected on the network?

With the increasing normalization of remote work, there is so much expansion in the company’s network today. Not to mention the use of cloud and third-party integrations. That way, what needs to be protected in the office is no longer just a device or system. From hardware to network software, to all devices that access it, from IoT endpoints to laptops and smartphones, network security needs to be monitored.

Companies also need to monitor cloud resources, edge devices, third-party hosted content, integrations with other hardware and software, and assets hosted on the company. To make matters even more complicated, some of these services, especially those hosted in the cloud, may only be active for a short period of time for a particular project or event. With such a scattered network, security supervision must certainly be carried out even more strictly.

What can be problematic in the network?

Vulnerabilities can appear on corporate networks in a variety of ways, including misconfigurations, expired certificates, new assets added to the cloud environment, missing patches, or exposing internet services in ways they shouldn’t. In addition, there is always a dangerous risk of phishing attacks, supply chain infiltration, and exposed credentials.

For example, Windows services on a company’s internal network are not threatening. But exposing it to the internet can be a completely different matter. This is what can cause the WannaCry ransomware attack to spread around the world.

Another example is a breach that occurs through an unprotected and publicly exposed API, as it does not require user authentication. That way, anyone who finds the API on the internet can directly connect to it without the need to enter a username and password.

Here are some problems that may occur in the network:

1. Loss Of Important Company Data

The company’s network certainly stores various important data. Compromised network security can result in the loss of sensitive data, such as customer information or even financial records, which is of course very crucial for businesses.

2. Damage To The Company’s Reputation

Network disruptions can be caused by human error, but they can also be caused by external interference. Whatever the cause, a company’s reputation can be damaged due to network issues. Furthermore, companies can have difficulty restoring customer trust.

3. Loss Of Income

In some cases, compromised network security can result in lost revenue as customers shift their business elsewhere. These losses can be substantial, especially if network disruptions occur over a long period of time.

4. Rising Costs

Disruption of a company’s network can also lead to increased costs being incurred. For example, improving the security system means recruiting new staff to overcome network problems so that there will be no more disruptions in the future.

How To Protect The Network?

Continuous network monitoring is necessary to prevent various risks that are harmful to the company’s network. There are several ways to protect the network, including:

1. Install Software Antivirus

One of the first lines of defense against malware and other viruses is to use antivirus software on all devices connected to the network. Antivirus software can detect and prevent the installation of potentially harmful files on the system, and the software should be updated regularly to include updates that make it even better.

2. Set up a strong password

To protect the network, make sure to create a strong password. The password must be at least 8 characters long and include a mixture of letters, numbers, and symbols. Passwords should not be personal information, such as dates of birth, because they will be guessed by the people closest to you.

3. Enforce Security Policies

The so-called security policy is a system where all devices on the network can be ensured to be protected from viruses and malware. Security policies can also restrict access to some network regions and restrict user privileges.

4. Use Network Monitoring Applications

In addition, it is also important to check all activities that occur on the network. To make this task easier, companies can now use quality network monitoring applications so that monitoring can be carried out thoroughly and on a scheduled basis.

Tracking logs and other data allow suspicious activity to be identified quickly. That way, the company’s network team can immediately take steps to investigate and mitigate potential threats.

Why Should The Network Always Be Protected?

The networks that companies use are always changing. New services are launched, web apps are updated, permissions are changed, and devices are added and removed. All these changes can give rise to vulnerable potential. The purpose of continuous monitoring is to provide immediate feedback and insight into these changes, assessing and prioritizing vulnerabilities, so that the network team in the enterprise can understand the risks across the office infrastructure. 

With a clear picture of what attackers and hackers can see and what is accessible on the internet infrastructure, then the network team can easily address any issues as soon as they arise. Continuous monitoring not only gives visibility to its vulnerabilities and remote devices but also clarity about how those vulnerabilities are particularly risky in the business. 

Network monitoring should always be applied because network conditions are always changing. Monitoring manually is certainly difficult to do because it requires special applications or software whose performance can be relied upon at all times, such as Netmonk. Comes with Netmonk Prime as a superior product, which is able to monitor the network, WEN/API, and also the server. 

Netmonk Prime monitors in a proactive and preventive way. Netmonk Prime has been trusted by various companies such as Kominfo, Pelita Air Service, Telkom Indonesia, and many more. Find out more and try the demo for 14 days right now!