As businesses begin to grow the need to add productive employees becomes a necessity. Adding and retaining valuable employees is the lifeblood of growing companies.
But what challenges does this growing workforce present to the business owner as it relates to his information technology security? Do these new workers practice safe Internet and email practices? Are these workers aware of the risks of Internet viruses, email threats, malware and other malicious activities associated with their online activities? Is productivity and security threatened by indiscriminate online behavior? Does the business have an Internet security protocol in place for web browsing, email activity, remote access, and use of remote devices to access company information? All of these issues should be addressed in both the company’s business environment as well as any company or employee manuals. Most incidents involving employee related Internet breaches are not malicious but rather unintentional consequences to unsafe web practices in the workplace.
A variety of tools are available to businesses owners to help control or mitigate their risks with these issues. Tools like web filtering appliances and software can help to enforce policy restrictions on web activity while increasingly sophisticated anti-virus products can capture and quarantine Internet threats such as viruses, worms, and other malware. A variety of firewall and routing products can enable secure encrypted remote access to the business network through Virtual Private Networks or VPNs. Also programs such as “Teamviewer” and “Go To My PC” can be used to securely login to business computers remotely.
We recommend that business owners seek help from professionals in regards to their IT security to safely enable remote access, protected Internet practices, and internal best practices as the company productively grows its workforce.
We will take up the subject of Internet safe practices in future weeks. Stay tuned……….