It’s never too late to start network monitoring as a small business because having a better understanding of the activity on your network can help identify why your network connection slows down or breaks and catch malicious activity before it turns into a bigger problem. You will also be able to bring more information to the table when you meet with an IT consultant to upgrade parts of your network or implement large changes in your business’ IT environment. If you are monitoring your own network, then a network monitoring tool is necessary, but your trusted IT consultant can also provide network monitoring services for you.
Your Devices & Their Activity
The first step to network monitoring is knowing every device on your network. No matter the size of your business, it is critical that you are aware of every endpoint that connects to the network. Knowing this will help identify when unauthorized devices have found their way into your business. Once you’ve become familiar with each device, a baseline for their activity must be understood. Each employee will have different activity when performing their role but setting an expectation for network activity will allow you or your IT staff to quickly notice unusual behavior that could result from a cyberattack.
Decide Who Handles Which Problems
After establishing a baseline for expected devices and their activity, the network can be meaningfully monitored for suspicious activity. Small businesses should make a plan for what to do in the event of malicious activity on their network by deciding who is best equipped to handle specific problems. For example, if your business does not have someone on staff that can address a data breach, then it may be time to work with an IT consultant who can give insight into network protection and handle complex problems when they arise. Planning how to remediate expected threats is a critical part of network monitoring, and it’s the beginning of strategizing a resilient response plan for when things go wrong.
Configure Now, Configure Correctly
Configuration constitutes some of the most important work for network monitoring because configuring tech right as soon as it’s introduced goes a long way in preventing cyberattacks. Your devices, security services, and network technology should be configured in a way that does not leave your endpoints open for attack, such as someone taking advantage of remote desktop protocol. Additionally, your IT staff should have a plan for how to ensure the secure configuration of future devices and services that come onto your network. Proper network monitoring will allow your business to know when new devices come online and need a security checkup and lets you closely monitor high-risk technology that still needs attention.
Summary
Overall, network monitoring is a complex task. Finding the right software and learning each endpoint on your network can be a time-consuming process, and if you don’t have the IT staff with the right skills to handle discovered problems, it can take even longer to properly protect your business. This is why Robinett Consulting recommends working with a local IT consultant who can do the work for you. Our team of security specialists are already well equipped with the tools needed for advanced network monitoring, and we pride ourselves on doing everything it takes to improve the IT infrastructure of our partners!
