All it takes, experts say, is access to one computer and hackers can steal files from an entire network or introduce a virus. Too many companies make available important documents and files that are accessible by all employees. By limiting access to just a few and enforcing access through user names and passwords, businesses will reduce their risks to hacker attacks. Prevention Headaches could be avoided by instituting policies within a business. Phillips says procedures addressing the use of e-mail and diskettes is one way to limit the effects of viruses and hackers on a company's network.
Education is another big component.
Once the policies have been established, officials need to stay on top of reminding employees of the policies. Phillips says they also need to encourage employees to be the company's eyes and ears for anything unusual happening on the network. It's important to make sure they are aware of what's out there. Disaster planning Disaster can still strike, no matter the level of prevention a company has undertaken, experts say. That's why policies and procedures for network security should be accompanied by a disaster recovery plan.