Business Broadband Security: Protecting Your Online Operations

There can be little doubt that the internet revolution has changed how we do business forever. Even the smallest businesses now have access to a global marketplace in which trade can come just as easily from the other side of the world as from just up the road. 

But this hasn’t come without costs. Online fraud has been the big crime growth area of the 21st century, and with so much potentially valuable information being held by or transmitted by your systems, it should come as little surprise that plenty of malignant eyes would like to examine that information.

Business broadband security is, therefore, extremely important. But what are the most common threats, how can they be countered, and how can you ensure that your business operates in a manner that allows your customers to trust you with their personal data? 

Understanding Business Broadband Security

The importance of securing your business network cannot be understated. Bad actors exist, and the effects of their becoming involved with your business can be disastrous. Data leaks can be reputationally ruinous for any business, and it doesn’t have to stop there either. In some business sectors, there will be regulatory requirements that you have to adhere to. 

Common Cyber Threats to Business Networks

Some of the most common threats to businesses may include: 

Phishing attacks: Emails or messages that appear legitimate but are designed to deceive employees into divulging business-critical or other personal information. 

Ransomware: Malware gets installed onto your network that locks your data or systems, crippling business operations until a ransom is paid.

Internet of Things (IoT) vulnerabilities: Potential weak points in IoT devices such as smart fridges can become entry points for cyber attackers. IoT technology sometimes runs older software versions and is less likely to get regular updates, rendering them more vulnerable to attack. 

Social Engineering: Occurs when bad actors exploit human psychology to trick your staff into breaching security protocols. 

This isn’t always a matter of bad actors taking control of small businesses and rinsing them. In August 2024, Amazon Web Services was attacked by criminals trying to force their way into 230 million different cloud environments, while Manchester City Council was hit by an attack as well. Businesses of all sizes need to be aware of these risks. 

Key Components of Business Network Security

A plethora of business security components have sprung up to counter the most common cybersecurity threats, and you will need most–if not quite necessarily all of them. Some of the most common include: 

Firewalls

A firewall is a network security device designed to monitor, filter, and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Its primary purpose is establishing a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks.

Firewalls can be hardware or software. They inspect data packets and determine whether to allow or block them based on a set of rules. Organisations can configure these rules to permit or deny traffic based on various criteria, such as source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, and protocol type. 

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) 

An Intrusion Detection System is a network security technology originally designed to detect vulnerability exploits against a target application or computer.

The IDS is normally a listen-only device. It monitors traffic and reports results to an administrator. However, it cannot automatically prevent a detected exploit from taking over the system.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

A virtual private network (VPN) is a service that creates a safe, encrypted online connection. VPNs extend a private network across a public network, allowing users to send and receive data securely over the internet. Internet users might use a VPN to give themselves more privacy and anonymity online or circumvent geographically blocked and censored content.

Typically, a VPN is used over a less secure network, such as the public internet, but this comes with risks. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) normally have a relatively large amount of insight into a customer's activities. In addition, some unsecured Wi-Fi access points might be a convenient avenue for attackers to access a user's data. 

Secure Wi-Fi Protocols

Wi-Fi security protocols secure wireless connections. They keep your data hidden, protect your communications, and block hackers from your network. Four protocols are most commonly used: WEP, WPA, WP2, and WP3. WP3 is the most up-to-date and secure security protocol, but WPA2 remains the most widely used enterprise space. Generally, WPA3 is the best choice, even though it consumes more processing power to protect your network.

Best Practices for Business Internet Security

Of course, there are best practices for business internet security that you should consider. You must install software updates and patch holes in your network as soon as they become evident. Hackers are constantly seeking new means of getting into systems, and the updates provided by software producers are designed for the latest threats.

The culture of your business–how it interacts with security–is similarly important. Regular employee training should be carried out on cybersecurity, and you can enhance security by following some simple steps. Strong password policies are important. You will be able to set password parameters, which means it’s necessary to regularly change them; you can even prevent common words–such as ‘password’ itself, for example–from being used.

Two-factor authorisation (2FA) is an extra layer of security used to make sure that people trying to gain access to an online account are who they say they are. First, a user will enter their username and password. Then, instead of immediately gaining access, they must provide other information. 

This ordinarily be something you know (such as a personal identification number (PIN), a password, answers to “secret questions” or a specific keystroke pattern), something you have (something in your possession, like a credit card, a smartphone, or a small hardware token), or in more sophisticated cases, something you are (biometric patterns of a fingerprint, an iris scan, or a voice print). 

With 2FA, a potential compromise of just one of these factors won’t unlock the account. So, even if a password is stolen or a phone is lost, the chances of someone else having the required second-factor information is highly unlikely. If a consumer uses 2FA correctly, websites and apps can be more confident of the user’s identity and unlock the account.

Enhancing Business Wireless Network Security

Other steps can be taken to secure your network further. If you have Wi-Fi networks, ensure that they are secure. WPA3 encryption is the latest network security protocol. Installing it will ensure that you are as up-to-date as possible. If you offer guest network access, ensure it’s configured to be secure.

Advanced Business Cyber Security

As businesses face growing cybersecurity threats, advanced solutions are becoming essential to protect sensitive data and operations. 

AI and Machine Learning

Businesses increasingly adopt AI and machine learning (ML) for cybersecurity. These technologies analyse vast amounts of data, identifying unusual patterns and suspicious behaviour that might signal a security breach.

Pros

• Threat Detection & Response: AI-driven systems can detect threats in real-time and respond more quickly than human analysts.

• Automation: Machine learning models can automate routine security tasks, like scanning logs for anomalies, which frees up IT teams for more critical tasks.

• Predictive Analysis: AI can predict potential vulnerabilities by learning from past cyber incidents and identifying patterns.

Cons

• False Positives: AI systems sometimes misinterpret benign actions as malicious, leading to many false positives that can waste time and resources.

• Dependence on Data Quality: The accuracy of machine learning models depends heavily on the quality of the training data. If the data is biased or incomplete, the system’s effectiveness decreases.

• Vulnerability to Attacks: AI systems can become targets of adversarial attacks, in which hackers manipulate the algorithm or input data to bypass detection systems.

Cloud Security Solutions

As more businesses shift to cloud services, cloud security has become crucial. Cloud security solutions involve tools and policies to protect cloud-stored data, user access, and overall infrastructure.

Pros

• Scalability: Cloud security solutions can scale with the business, providing flexible protection as data volume and user numbers increase.

• Centralised Security: Businesses can apply unified security policies across all cloud resources, reducing the risk of inconsistencies or overlooked vulnerabilities.

• Data Backup & Disaster Recovery: Cloud solutions often come with built-in data recovery capabilities in case of a breach or failure, ensuring business continuity.

Cons

• Shared Responsibility: Cloud providers often operate on a shared responsibility model, where they secure the infrastructure, but businesses must also secure their data. Misunderstandings or lapses can lead to vulnerabilities.

• Insider Threats: If access control policies are not implemented properly, internal employees could misuse cloud resources or data.

• Vendor Lock-In: Businesses can become overly reliant on one cloud provider, limiting flexibility and complicating security measures when moving data between platforms.

Endpoint Protection Systems

Endpoint protection systems (EPS) focus on securing individual devices—such as computers, mobile devices, and servers—that connect to a business's network. Advanced EPS solutions use firewalls, encryption, and behaviour analysis to safeguard data and control access.

Pros

• Comprehensive Device Security: EPS can protect all devices connecting to the network, preventing unauthorised access and minimising the attack surface.

• Real-Time Monitoring: Advanced endpoint protection includes continuous monitoring of devices, helping to catch security breaches early.

• Data Encryption: Endpoint security solutions often include data encryption, making stolen or compromised data useless to hackers.

Cons

• Complexity: Managing endpoint protection across various devices can be complex, especially in organisations with a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy or a remote workforce.

• Performance Impact: Some endpoint protection systems can slow down devices or disrupt normal workflows due to heavy resource usage.

• Over-reliance: Focusing solely on endpoint protection can lead businesses to neglect network security, which remains crucial in preventing large-scale breaches.

These advanced methods significantly improve business security, but none are without their challenges. AI and machine learning offers incredible promise in automating threat detection but can lead to false positives and require high-quality data. Cloud security provides scalability and centralised control, but shared responsibility and vendor lock-in remain issues. Lastly, endpoint protection secures individual devices but can be resource-intensive and difficult to manage at scale. For businesses to achieve strong cybersecurity, they need a comprehensive approach that combines these methods while being mindful of their limitations.

How to Implement a Robust Network Security Plan

Implementing a robust network security plan involves several key steps:

Assess Current Security Measures

Conduct a thorough audit of your existing network security. This includes evaluating hardware, software, access points, and data security measures. Understanding your current state helps identify areas that need improvement1.

Identify Vulnerabilities

Perform a risk assessment to pinpoint potential threats and vulnerabilities. This may involve analysing network architecture, user access levels, and data flow. Prioritise risks based on their likely impact.

Develop and Implement a Security Strategy

Create a comprehensive security plan that addresses identified vulnerabilities. This plan should include:

• Network Segmentation: Isolate different parts of the network to limit access.

• Access Controls: Implement robust authentication methods and define user roles.

• Security Controls: Deploy firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and antivirus software.

Continuous Monitoring and Improvement

Monitor network traffic and security logs regularly to detect and respond to threats promptly. Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) and conduct periodic security audits. Continuously update and patch systems to protect against new vulnerabilities. 

Network security can appear daunting at first, but when bad actors like never before have attacked businesses, your business must be completely up to speed with the latest security developments. The cost of not doing so could be significant; should hackers find a way through, your bottom line will be hit!