Secure valuable data on workplace

If you are running a business, you may deeply understand the expression of the competitive market is a jungle out there. A secure network and data storage environment is essential in order to survive the “jungle”. Since the network stretch into our life and work, we can life more convenient and work with high efficiency with assistance of network. If we compare our daily life and work as a machine, the network must be the mechanical arms. It’s the network that makes data transmission from one place to other places with no efforts possible; while it’s also the network that increases the risks of data loss and data leak.

Especially for administrator of the business, what they are most concerned about is that unethical employees may steal and sell the company’s confidential and sensitive data and information to competitors, or the employees unintentional mistakes will lead to data loss. All of the concerns ask for company network management and surveillance for all computers which store confidential and valuable data that are susceptible to compromise either by intention disclosure or misconducts. Computer monitoring software that can filter websites, applications, and monitor employees’ computers activities are hence very hot now.

Features of computer monitoring software

Computer monitoring can be done without other use of software and hardware. With the professional computer monitoring software, the admin of the business is able to block some sites and applications such as IM chatting tools or social network sites which may decrease the productivity at workplace. Since this software is also able to capture screenshot and search terms on computer, admin can keep an eye on all computers’ activities without need to stay close to employees all the time; employees can be reminded when their computer activities are in contravention of the company’s policies. Some software will also be able to record employees’ communication in email; besides, the usage of applications will be presented in form of reports to admin.

The purpose of computer monitoring software is not to keep track of computer’s activities, or even monitor employees, but to prevent employees from engaging in things unrelated to work during working hours and to prevent them sending confidential and valuable data and information to others. Therefore, computer monitoring software that’s used for enterprise usage must have more features that can be used for enterprise network and files management. The software must be able to monitor computer activities and manage employees operations on documents and files on their computers. Some software allows admin to block the USB port usage on employees’ computer to prevent them taking documents and files away.

Since computer monitoring software will be used for individuals or special groups, it must be easy to use to cover wider user groups. Graphical user interface that’s simple to use is an essential factor for good software, protection function for the software itself is also need to be considered. In addition, you are not encouraged to use this software on employees’ computers without any notice. To avoid lawsuit of employees’ privacy, admin of the business had better expressly state the computer monitoring action on company and remind employees of the using of the software.

Tips to protect computer from hackers

One of business administrator or leader’s responsibility is to manage and control company’s costs and budget. It’s important for them to take efforts to secure company data and information, for data especially sensitive and confidential data and information loss or leakage may lead to a large amount of economic loss.

Many small business administrators and leaders think that hackers wouldn’t take them as targets because of their small scale. Hackers and malicious attacks just use their fluky psychology to steal their valuable data and information or damage their computer system, because this kind of businesses lack security precaution and easier to be attacked.

Small to medium size businesses seldom emphasize on computer and network security management; hence, they often become targets or even victims of data breaches. As computer and Internet attacks are constantly annoying administrators and managers of business. That’s why many large companies and governments agencies around the world spend much time and money on data and information security. Some companies build professional IT team to arrange company network system. For small businesses that can’t afford to hire a group of professional IT staffs, the following equipments and tips can help them a lot.

Anti-virus software
Every computer in company should install anti-virus software; we can say that the anti-virus software is a necessity of every new machine for computer security. With effective and powerful anti-virus software, virus, Trojan and other malware can’t invade or infect your computer system that easily. And all staffs in company must regularly check computer using anti-virus software.

Firewall
Firewall is another necessity for new computer. And the firewalls should be in active mode as long as the computer is on. Firewall is useful to prevent unauthorized entry of hackers.

Keep operating system up to the date
To minimize risk of virus and malware attacks, every employee need to ensure the loopholes or vulnerabilities of computer operating systems are fixed in time. Every vulnerability or loophole may provide hackers with opportunities to invade and damage the company computer system.

Update all the programs running on your system
Some hackers will make use of the vulnerabilities and loopholes of some common programs running in your computer to invade your system. You should never ignore the importance of the patches and updates of these programs.

These equipments and tips are just the primary precautions to help computer system defend the common attacks of virus or malware. For folders or files that contains confidential and sensitive data and information, extra password protection is necessary. As any data loss or data leakage may result in reputational or economic loss for company, comprehensive protection on files and folders in employees’ computers can effectively assist to decrease the rate of data theft. For enterprises, shared folder is a part of important documents which should be protected with password. Not all employees on LAN have right to access all the shared folders, which gives us a reason to password protect shared folder and then assign permissions to different user groups based on their right level.