The COVID-19 pandemic served as a massive spur to online business. In 2020, the US alone saw a 32 percent increase in online sales. Some of that came about as people ordered essentials online. Still, many came back as businesses revamped their business models to offer online options they had never shown before.
The massive shift into e-commerce meant a massive adoption of information technology. It also means businesses face an even-more urgent need to prioritize IT infrastructure security. Without a firm IT infrastructure security plan and policies, companies risk losing everything they gained by transitioning online.
Please keep reading for a brief overview of IT infrastructure security and why your business needs it.
What Is IT Infrastructure Security?
In basic terms, IT infrastructure security refers to the risk management steps you take to protect the components of your IT infrastructure. It involves protecting not only the physical elements of your IT infrastructure but also the software and operational elements.
A good infrastructure security plan looks to address both current and emerging threats, such as:
- User error
- Viruses
- Lack of backups
- Service outages
You can build and maintain a more resilient IT infrastructure by addressing current and emerging threats.
IT Infrastructure Components
Your overall IT infrastructure includes a lot of related components. Some of the more apparent parts include:
- Desktop computers and laptops
- Servers
- Networking hardware, such as routers and switches
Your infrastructure goes beyond that, though, and can include the physical facility, operating systems, and even customer relationship management software.
Beyond that is the existing network, which incorporates physical hardware and software to run efficiently.
Elements of IT Infrastructure Security
Given that the components of your IT infrastructure cover so much ground, your security for it must also cover a lot of ground. Some of the more common elements you see are:
- Antivirus software
- Intrusion detection software
- Firewalls
- Virtual Private Networks
- Scheduled data backups
- Network security, such as monitoring
Besides network security, you must also consider access control measures. Some access control is purely physical, such as securing server rooms.
The next level of access control is user access levels to sensitive data. Limiting your employees’ access to data and things like software settings.
These measures help limit a wide range of IT threats, such as intentional fraud, malware, viruses, data exposure through setting changes, and data loss.
IT Infrastructure Security and You
If all of this seems like a lot to handle in one go, it probably is for many small businesses. When in doubt, focus on critical areas of IT infrastructure security.
Get your access control and data backups in place. Lock down your network security. Get antivirus software and firewalls installed and updated.
Once you deal with this IT infrastructure security checklist, worry about setting up VPNs and finding a company that can do intrusion detection and response for you.
Are you looking for more business Tech tips? Check out the posts over in our articles section.
