Network Monitoring: Why Your Business Needs It
Time = money. It’s an old adage; it might sound cheesy, but in business, it is 100% true. If you experience an outage on your network, you will lose time, sales, contracts, and perhaps even vital information.
If you want a streamlined and protected network, then network monitoring is a must. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of network monitoring.
What Is Network Monitoring?
Network monitoring is used to refer to a system that monitors a computer network. It looks for problems like failing components, required software upgrades, slowing or halting of processes, attacks, and more.
It includes servers, client systems and software, firewalls, monitors, routers, and other components that can slow down the network. It is a proactive approach to your company’s network and is an invaluable asset against cyberattacks.
Kaleigh Floyd, Call Coordinator of the of the full-service IT provider Axiom, remarked, “You never know where your network can improve until you take a long, hard look at it. Find a managed service provider that can perform a network assessment and help you strengthen your weak points.”
The system alerts administrators through support line systems or directly, and problems can be handled with speed and efficiency.
Costs
No matter the size of your business, keeping overheads low is essential to your bottom line. A loss of productivity or server downtime is going to have an impact on your profits.
A managed service provider will have your network monitored 24/7. What does that mean for you? Proactive management of your system, anticipations of any outages, and controlled rollouts of software that may cause outages.
You can also see a significant saving in the number of people you will need to hire. A whole team will typically be working through your managed service provider and usually for an affordable price too.
Security
Security is something that can’t be taken lightly. In 2020 there has been an increase in cyber attacks, hacking, and fraud targeting all businesses. Network monitoring, when combined with specific security services from an MSP, can be the first line of defense.
A trained professional will monitor unusual traffic flow or unfamiliar devices that are connecting to your network, in addition to several other red flags.
Human error is a real risk. With more staff working from home and remotely, there is an increased risk they will access harmful downloads and websites. Having your network configured correctly will minimize the potential of harmful material entering your network.
Many companies function under the assumption that they don’t have any weak spots or points of risk. Network monitoring will usually require an audit of your network, where all of your risk factors can be highlighted and rectified.
Data Loss Protection
Network monitoring can help you avoid data loss. DLP is a technology that ensures all communications within the company, emails, application use, FTPs are all secure. Sensitive information about clients, finance, and employees will be protected. Encryption of the data means that it cannot be accessed outside of the network.
DLP solutions are required in order to meet many regulatory compliances, including; HIPAA, GLBA, HITECH, PCI-DSS, and more.
Your network can be optimized to reduce costs, increase productivity, and highlight problem areas when you have an MSP. Networking monitoring can improve your process and protect your business.
