audits2016 has come and passed, and 2017 is coming in hot! Modern businesses depend on networks day in and day out. A safe and secure network is essential to business continuity. Networks are a part of your company’s critical infrastructure. If you are unsure about the safety of your network, then your business needs a network audit. Network audits successfully disclose the risks, threats, and vulnerabilities which could devastate assets.

How?

Network Audits Expose Vulnerabilities

Fact is that many computer and network systems are not safe. Computer systems and networks may contain vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities are weaknesses which reduce the level of security of a computer or networking system.

A company’s entire computer and network systems could have vulnerabilities. Network audits expose these vulnerabilities early. Information learned from a successful network audit can determine the proper security strategies required to eliminate, prevent, and mitigate the damage from vulnerabilities.

New network security threats and vulnerabilities are discovered daily. It is possible that nearly 100 new network security threats can be created in a single month. Just because a network setup does not have vulnerabilities this month, does not mean it will be secure next month. It is good practice to regularly evaluate network security.

Network Audits Will Help Minimize Risk

People understand the need to lock their homes, roll up their car windows, and guard their purses and wallets. Why? If these precautions aren’t taken, it increases the risk of becoming a victim. People are realizing that the same is true with computers and networks.

A single hacker can scan thousands of computers and networks looking for ways to access private information. Network security is vital to protecting sensitive information and maintaining business operations.

According to Heimdal Security, software vulnerabilities can be found on almost all computers. These vulnerabilities increase risk, which leads to unpredictable network threats. Threats could exist in an operating system, software, a router/firewall, or any other system running on a network.

All companies are at risk. Smaller companies are at a higher risk for cyber and network threat frequency than the larger corporations. Having a security company perform a network audit is a great first step to determining risk. Network security resources may be limited for businesses, especially the smaller ones, but the best security companies will offer a free network audit.

The Price is Right

The first network audit should always be free. If a security company is trustworthy, then they will recommend the appropriate services. Network audits provide both parties with professional and tangible results. This allows the two parties to discuss future security strategies.

A free network audit removes the pressure of purchasing security services that may not be required at the time. If a security firm is willing to audit your company free of charge, then they truly care about your company’s security and are not solely focused on the profits.

Final Thoughts

2017 will present greater threats than years prior. Do not put your company’s network on the back burner. It is time to take cyber, data, and network security seriously.