The first line of defense to your network is your firewall. Then you have antivirus and SPAM filtering. But your security must go deeper than that. As you look at password policies, software firewalls, and wireless settings and more, you need the help of experts to come up with a plan that effectively accounts for all these factors.

At Hi-Tech Digital, we specialize in helping small- and medium-sized businesses like yours develop their unique IT security plan. We work with you to find a balance between cost, productivity and security. We take basic steps to ensure that you’re effectively protecting yourself and your business, such as purchasing and deploying a firewall, virus scanner, and anti-SPAM solution. Even these basics investments require choices, and we help you make the right ones.

IT Security Q&A

How often should we be changing our passwords?

The frequency with which you change them is less of a deterrent than creating complex passwords. The speed at which a password can be broken is too fast for simple passwords, even if they are changed regularly, and it’s no longer an acceptable security method. We work with you to educate you on how to create effective passwords and update you as best practices for encryption evolve.

How complicated should my password be?

We recommend that passwords are at least nine characters, have a mix of uppercase, lowercase letters and include symbols. If possible, you should not use a string of characters that make an English word. And, it’s important to steer clear of your name, first or last, and those of family and friends.

I have a basic home Linksys/Netgear router in my business. Am I fully protected from hackers and viruses?

For any business, we recommend taking one more step in security from Linksys and Netgear routers/firewalls to SonicWall and Cisco solutions. The company’s offerings for small businesses have more functionality and security than the ones you might have in your home. For example, they have Gateway antivirus, anti-SPAM, anti-malware and intruder prevention services—all of which protect your network much better than the security features available on the Linksys and Netgear routers.

My computer or network has been compromised in the past. How do prevent it from happening again?

The truth is no one tool can catch everything out there. We leverage our years of experience and information security expertise along with a sophisticated, custom suite of tools to track down and eradicate these infections. For our ongoing clients, we monitor the network for insidious behavior and perform sweeps of hardware for malicious applications. More often than not, we are able to make repairs and upgrades without disturbing day-to-day business.