Managed network security means you can breathe easy knowing NCC Data is proactively monitoring your network for security flaws and risks. Through our software partnership with Webroot, we enable management staff to monitor and control their employees’ access and time on the internet, applying Internet access policies to individual users or groups to increase productivity and to maintain the security of your network. We enforce policies even when users attempt to circumvent them via proxy bypass sites.

We also maintain security software on all computers connected to your network to protect it and all the others from malware and spyware by monitoring your company’s position on the security life cycle, allowing us to prepare a customized strategy to ensure your network is secure. Early intervention allows us to be proactive in addressing potential threats to network security.

According to the Norton Cybercrime Report 2011, online criminals cost global businesses $114 billion in 2010. In addition, the value of time lost to cybercrime was estimated by the victimized businesses as $274 billion. All together, cybercrime set companies back a whopping $388 billion. To put it in perspective, that’s more than the global black market in marijuana, cocaine and heroin combined ($288 billion). The number of people affected is also staggering. Each day, more than a million people will fall victim to cybercrime. That’s twice the number of babies born every day (490,000).

Surprised? You’re not alone. To begin with, the enormity of cybercrime is just recently mainstream news. The cost to businesses had not been calculated until Norton’s recent report, and it’s not the type of crime to make big headlines, with the exception of a few notable cases. You may also be surprised at the profile of cybercrime victims: it’s tech–savvy men between 10 and 35 who most commonly experience cybercrime. It may be because they’re more likely to use mobile devices. The Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, Volume 16, released this past April, observed 42% more vulnerabilities in mobile operating systems in 2010 than in 2009.
According to the Symantec report, cybercrime in general is up, too: web-based attacks increased 93% in 2010. Besides the new mobile technology threat mentioned above, the report noted four other cybercrime trends:

• Targeted attacks. As the name implies, these are not random attacks.  Instead, the attacker chooses victims by identifying them as having access to valuable data or systems. It’s not just large corporations who are at risk: more than 50% of victims are businesses with less than 500 employees.
• Social networks. Criminals often peruse social networks for identifying information, so that they can gain the trust of their victims and then target them with malicious malware.
• Zero-day vulnerabilities and rootkits. Organizations are often not aware of a cyber threat in time to stop it. Criminals exploit this window of opportunity to attack. Rootkits, which allow the attackers continued privileged access to the computer system, may be installed.
• Attack kits. Easily available, sophisticated attack kits allow even novice criminals to steal online information.

The rising wave of cybercrime and the costs involved should make it obvious that online security should be a priority. Instead, many businesses who could benefit from the protection offer by a professional computer network support company leave themselves open to attack. NCC Data offers complete IT services to Dallas-Fort Worth businesses and can protect your business from cybercrime. Our specialists recognize the complexity of current threats, keep abreast of new trends in cybercrime, and understand the best ways to protect your company’s valuable information. By engaging NCC Data as your computer network support company, you can make sure that your business is armed with knowledge and shielded with support.

Most of us take the time to make sure that our houses are secure. We lock our cars and hide our valuables in safe places. We’re just as careful with our businesses.  No one leaves the door unlocked. But there’s one priceless commodity that too many people (and too many companies) leave vulnerable: information. Even businesses that have professional computer network security support may not have covered all their bases. Is your company at risk? Read on to learn about three security threats you may not have considered:

Mobile Devices

Mobility technology presents an opportunity for businesses to increase efficiency. It also provides an opening for criminals on the lookout for information. Sometimes the thieves target specific devices. This past spring another iPhone worm reared its ugly head. Tablets like the iPad are now being used for work and so are open to attack. On January 21, 2011, buyerzoneblogger posted, “Ironically, the same week that Apple boasted that 80% of Fortune 100 companies are currently experimenting with the iPad for business use, an Apple iPad security breach story from June resurfaced in the news. On January 18th, the FBI stepped in to charge two individuals over a security breach that affected over 120,000 Apple users, including CEOs, media company employees, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, government employees, politicians, and the U.S. military. It was reported that email addresses and other personal information were stolen.”

Sometimes information loss isn’t planned. Mobility technology, by its very nature, is more apt to be lost or left behind by a careless employee. Which leads us to our second threat …

Your Employees

Your employees may not mean to put your company information at risk, but simply opening an email can import malicious spyware. Employees who access Facebook on company computers can invite trouble, too.

And then there are disgruntled employees who have access to company data. There are dozens of cases of malicious insiders attacking systems and stealing data. Fannie Mae, United Way and T-Mobile have all been victims. But it’s not just large organizations that are in danger from cyber criminals. In fact, many businesses, large and small, put themselves at risk with …

A False Sense of Security

A recent report from Qualys noted that more than 80% of websites are vulnerable to attack due to incorrect SSL implementation. Even more concerning, the companies thought their sites were secure. Research by AMI-Partners industry found that almost half of all small and medium-sized businesses don’t have even basic security precautions. Enormous corporations also leave themselves open to attack: recent data breaches at Citigroup, Epsilon and Sony could have been prevented with basic security measures, according to a Protegrity report.

These three often unheeded threats are just the tip of the iceberg. We’ve provided this insight into these potential problems believing that forewarned is forearmed. Now that you’re armed with information, what do you do next? You consult with a computer network support company that stays up-to-date on the latest threats, and knows how to keep your business’ data secure. We at NCC Data offer IT services to Dallas-Fort Worth businesses. We provide much more than just computer network support, we provide peace of mind.