Seacom Business provides on-premise IT security for SMEs

Businesses of any size face constant cyber threats, but small to medium enterprises (SMEs) have all the more reason to take cyber security seriously. Recent statistics suggest that one-fifth of SMEs will fall victim to a cyberattack at some point and 60% of these will go bankrupt within half a year as a result. Large organisations are also bombarded with cyberattacks, but big security budgets help them to ward off the major threats.

Having on-site IT security gives businesses more autonomy over the systems in use. However, for many businesses, high costs have proven to be a major barrier. Seacom Business offers on-premise IT security for SMEs that deliver a full suite of advanced protection, without a restrictively high price tag.

SMEs can enjoy greater flexibility and maintain full control over their cyber security using our range of virtual security systems. The security experts at Seacom Business have identified the main issues faced by SMEs and have developed security products and services to handle cyber security for these types of companies.

Benefits of on-premise security for SMEs

Our on-premise IT security is ideal for SMEs as an affordable option for improving basic cyber security. We use renowned security software that is able to detect threats within seconds and give alerts so that appropriate action can be taken. Security software can automatically identify and isolate infected systems or files. This advanced software can be set up to include automated responses to threats.

Cyber security software is something that needs continuous development as the nature of digital attacks is always evolving. Seacom Business strives for continuous innovation in order to release regular updates for emerging vulnerabilities. SMEs can benefit from advanced on-premise security, without the need for their own in-house tech team.

Traditionally, companies required a number of different security systems to monitor and respond to security threats. Our advanced security offerings are able to detect and block attacks at different levels: application, port and protocol. This gives a more complete picture of what is happening on the business network as a whole. Before going into more detail on the features of advanced cyber security systems, let’s consider how basic cyber security works.

How cyber security works

The main purpose of cyber security is to prevent data breaches, hacks and system shutdowns. While preventative measures are certainly useful, security systems also need to be able to quickly detect when a breach is taking place and kick in proactively, rather than reactively.

Firewalls are standard IT security tools; they are used to scan incoming and outgoing traffic. Using a firewall ensures that the connection between the network, the internet and all devices are secure. A firewall is used to give an indication of the network’s health using both static and dynamic packet filtering. When data is sent over the internet, it is divided into packets, or collections of data. Packet filtering is done by firewalls to monitor incoming and outgoing data.

To add another layer of protection, firewalls also do something called “stateful inspection.” This means looking at the packets in the context of what is happening on the network as a whole. In doing so, the firewall can determine if the packet contains malware or is a legitimate part of the network. Traditional firewalls include a stateful inspection of traffic coming in and out of the network, blocking traffic based on pre-established protocols or filters.

Next-generation firewalls mean better protection

Since traditional firewalls are not able to give a complete picture of what is happening on the network, more SMEs are opting for advanced IT security technologies. Next-generation firewalls have much better capabilities and provide an all-in-one security solution for companies.

Having a security system that includes antivirus, firewalls and application security is a must for any business relying on the internet for its daily operations. Next-generation firewalls provide broad-spectrum protection and have additional security capabilities. They offer complete network visibility and constant monitoring of what is happening with users, devices, hosts, active websites and networks. This helps to determine when and where threats arise.

Next-generation firewalls also analyse and filter packets on applications. They support remote access control of applications and can detect threats that are cloud-based. They are effective against advanced malware and application attacks. These intelligent systems use historical data to upgrade network paths, as well as generate paths for future updates. They are ideal for addressing evolving security threats.

Simplified cyber security management

Seacom Business’s on-premise IT security for SMEs includes unified threat management (UTM). This offers complete cyber security of antivirus, antispam, network firewalls, anti-spyware, content filtering, leak prevention and intrusion detection and prevention.

Previously, companies had to contract different vendors to perform diverse security functions. Stand-alone security technologies are costly and difficult to maintain. Advanced UTM means that all these technologies are now available on one system.

Another benefit of advanced UTM is that it can be tailored to meet the needs of SMEs. There are multiple security options that SMEs can choose from, updating to have more advanced security as required. The consolidation of security into one system allows for easy monitoring. Advanced UTM systems are able to detect quicker, preventing the spread of malware or other threats to the rest of the network.

Our on-premise IT security solutions for SMEs

Using the latest technologies in firewalls and security management, Seacom Business offers SMEs an affordable solution to well-rounded cyber security. Being able to customise security packages gives SMEs more freedom and flexibility. The combination of the security systems onto one console makes security management much more streamlined and effective.

Advanced technologies help to give a more complete picture of a company’s security status. In this day and age, a security breach can have devastating consequences for SMEs, so choosing the right security solution is crucial. For more information or to get a quote for our on-premise IT security services, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.

Seacom owns Africa’s most extensive network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including subsea cables and secure internet connections. We offer a diverse range of flexible, scalable and high-quality solutions for businesses that meet world-class standards for connectivity.

Seacom is privately owned and operated, making it agile and adaptable to the needs of the customer. This makes us the preferred ICT and internet connectivity partner for African businesses and peripheral service providers. We can guarantee high-speed, low-latency and secure internet connections to corporates and small enterprises.

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