In 2022, IT security will be an even more essential requirement for every business, including those growing California businesses. Why? Because the trends in cyberattacks continue to threaten business data, whether it’s information shared on internal communication platforms like email or Microsoft Teams, customer information, financial records, or more. Having an IT security plan in place – an individual IT provider, an outsourced Managed IT Services provider, or an internal IT team – is essential to your company’s IT security.
What is IT security?
When you consider the sheer amount of sensitive data your business works with daily–all of which could be abused by a hacker or malicious third party with a desire to gain access–your head might begin to spin. The good news is that IT security can be as comprehensive as your company needs. IT security not only includes securing the company’s internal network as well as the individual devices used by employees, but also implementing policies, training employees, and conducting audits and tests to ensure that security measures are working to prevent a malicious breach.
How to think about IT security
When thinking about IT security, consider two major areas of your company’s needs: protection from any interference in business operations and protection from outside or third-party invasion. Both approaches secure company data, and, in turn, protect your company’s time and money.
If your network fails, a cloud service goes down, or any part of the hardware malfunctions, proper IT security will make sure your data is protected and the network is back up and running to protect the company from lost information or lost operational time or reputation damage. If a third party attempts any kind of intrusion, like introducing malware into company systems or a phishing attack, IT security measures like antivirus, firewalls, and consistent monitoring will protect your company’s data.
You can also think of IT security in terms of “where” the protection is being provided.
Individual devices, desktop security, or end-point security all refer to the specific devices used by employees and the different measures taken to protect those devices. This includes software installed on these devices, application and data controls put on the devices, or encryption of data being transferred.
Network security refers to the connection between a group of devices used by employees, the interaction of those devices, and all the information passed between devices. Protecting the network with software, detecting any issues with the network, and providing protocols for any breach in the network are all common IT security measures.
While aspects of Internet security overlap with network security, it essentially refers to online digital data, like cloud security, for example. Any transfer of data over the internet should be covered in internet security.
Wherever data is stored is another area that needs to be protected, whether that’s in the cloud or in company databases. An important part of IT security is ensuring the privacy of sensitive data and making sure it’s all backed up.
The difference between cybersecurity, information security, and IT security
Cybersecurity and information security or “InfoSec” are terms you might hear in the discussion of IT security. The three terms are often used synonymously, and they do share many similarities as they deal with the protection of data.
IT security is focused on protecting digital company data as it exists and moves through internal networks. Cybersecurity is focused on protecting against online threats from hackers or other external, internet-based dangers to data. Information security or InfoSec deals with the protection of data of any kind, digital or physical– whether that’s ensuring compliance with different laws surrounding data use and protection or maintaining accurate data records.
There is often overlap between cybersecurity, information security, and IT security. Many of the initiatives undertaken by IT security professionals might be considered cybersecurity, like cloud data protection or password management and policy, or InfoSec, like data encryption or securing the network infrastructure. One way to think of these terms is that InfoSec is part of cybersecurity, while cybersecurity is part of IT security. IT security is the broadest, most inclusive set of data protection terms.
Typical IT security solutions
Every business is unique due to the personality of executives and employees, size, industry, and many other factors. Every company needs IT security solutions, but exactly which services or safeguards depend on the company. The range of typical services offered by Royal Network IT Solutions for our clients include:
- desktop security
- network and internet security
- server security
- privacy of sensitive data
- security audits
- data backups
As an IT security provider, we review individual devices and the overall network to equip our clients with firewalls, antivirus, and whatever is necessary or desired to create the perfect measure of security to keep them safe. We then conduct audits and monitoring to ensure these measures are working effectively. We also review storage, access, and privacy policies, as well as backup status and policies. We collaborate with our business clients to develop or improve company policies on issues like online communication and password use and management.
The best kind of IT security
The best kind of IT security combines the most sophisticated technology with an IT professional’s or group of IT professionals’ human expertise. Managed IT security solutions, especially with Royal Network IT Solutions’ dedicated professionals, provides on-call experts who are consistently monitoring, engaging with company executives and employees, and troubleshooting problems as they arise.
Need IT help? Call us
Protecting business data and internal processes requires comprehensive and unique IT security. Our professionals have over 50 years of experience providing technical support to the Tustin and Eastvale areas of California.
We are ready to help you keep your business safe and secure with personalized managed IT services, including all the latest IT security solutions. With proper safeguards, hardware, policies, and security procedures in place, you can have the peace of mind you deserve.
Call or email us today for a consultation at (949) 236-7700 or services@rnitsolutions.com.