What risks could you run into if you don’t receive a network assessment? Is it worth the investment? One of the most valuable reasons for receiving a network assessment is that it is a proactive way to secure your environment.
Cyber attacks are becoming extremely common, and the only way to become less vulnerable is to have strong security measures in place. A network assessment is one of the best ways to ensure your cybersecurity is strong enough to prevent cyber attacks.
The cybersecurity risk assessment is a thorough analysis of all your equipment and will determine where your security is strong and where there are weak spots that could open the gates to a hacker breaching your network.
As a managed service provider, the network assessment is critical to understanding our client's environment to properly implement the right tools and processes for a secure network. You can not simply look at someone's office and see if there are potential vulnerabilities. It takes a thorough analysis using network monitoring tools that can present a vast amount of data regarding the health and security of your network.
So what threats could arise if you don't receive a network assessment? Let’s take a look.
Not meeting compliance and regulations standards:
Cybersecurity compliance is a set of cybersecurity requirements that organizations must adhere to. Compliance standards are typically industry-specific. For instance, organizations in healthcare should meet all HIPPA compliance requirements.
These requirements are usually imposed by where your business is located or your industry. They are meant to help minimize the risk of a breach. If you are breached, and it is because you did not adhere to compliance regulations, you will likely be fined.
A network assessment will review all your current IT tools and processes. If your business has strict compliance regulations, that will be factored into the network assessment. If you do not receive a network assessment, you could risk not being compliant.
Many companies may think they are meeting the requirements, but at a deeper glance with a network assessment, it is expected that there are flaws that are still leaving you open to a breach. A network assessment will deliver you a full report to see any faults and fix them to ensure you meet all compliance regulations.
Undetected vulnerabilities that can worsen over time
If you don't receive a network assessment, you may be at risk of physical vulnerabilities that you were not aware of. An IT expert will use advanced tools to look deep into your system for any flaws during a network assessment.
Most of the vulnerabilities found can be easily missed unless you have an intricate understanding of everything happening in your network.
Outdated equipment
It is essential to have equipment that is up to date. Technology is changing at a breakneck pace, which means new equipment models are constantly being released. As new models are released, so are new software updates.
These software updates give your computers and laptops security for any new vulnerabilities. As your equipment becomes older, it becomes more difficult for your computer to keep updated software. Your equipment will start to get slower and could be putting you at security risks.
A network assessment will look into your equipment models and whether or not they are out of warranty. This will help you determine what needs to be refreshed. Refreshing your IT equipment will help keep your environment more secure. The risk of not receiving a network assessment is that you may be using equipment that is not secure and needs to be updated.
A network assessment will also help pinpoint any equipment causing your network to run slow. For example, if you have old equipment configured in your network that you were unaware of, this could be causing your systems to run much slower.
Unknown Open Ports
A port is a term in IT that refers to a gateway used to send and receive data through your network. If a port is left open, this could be a way into your network for hackers to access confidential materials.
In a network assessment, you can identify if there have been failed logins detected, which is typically someone trying to break in.
If hackers discovered an open port, it could mean they and anyone else on the dark web could gain and cause disaster. That is just one example, but several vulnerabilities could go undetected if you fail to invest in a thorough assessment of your network.
Risks of Malware/Malicious Software Infections
Malware is software that can infect your computer by clicking or downloading a malicious app or file. Hackers commonly use it to extract sensitive data from your network. A network assessment will look for any malware threats hiding in your network. Once detected, you can take the necessary steps to remediate the threat immediately.
Outdated or Unpatched Software Leaving You Vulnerable
Software developers constantly create new patches that protect your network from new cyber threats. Old equipment is less likely to have been updated with the latest software, which poses a security threat.
This can cause your business to be at significant risk of cyberattacks. A network assessment can detect any flaws in your software to ensure that everything is secure and report on any necessary changes that must be made.
Risk of Credential Exposure on the Dark Web
Using special software, hackers can access your employees' computers to find personal credentials, such as login username and passwords. If credentials have been stolen right under your nose without your knowledge, you might be at risk of imminent attack without realizing it.
A network assessment will include a dark web scan which determines any information that has been exposed. With this information, your company can change any vulnerable usernames and passwords to keep hackers out.
Poor Active Directory Hygiene
Your active directory is where all your user's information, authorization, and permissions are stored. Poor active directory hygiene occurs if you have old user accounts that are no longer being used open within the directory.
The network assessment will look into your active directory and locate any accounts that should be closed. It will also find any accounts that have unnecessary permissions or authorizations. Keeping a clean, active directory is essential, so hackers don't use old credentials to access your network.
Want to Get a Network Audit?
A network assessment is a great strategy in proactive cybersecurity. An evaluation will give you a complete written analysis of any potential threats to your business, which offers inherent value in the long run.
Wondering where you can get network assessment? An MSP can perform the network assessment, and they will give you a valuable report on all of their findings.
After receiving the assessment report, you can choose one of two options. One option is to take the tangible deliverable and implement any changes independently. The second is to partner with the MSP that provided the assessment so they can assist you in making these changes.
When you are looking to get a network assessment you may notice that some are free and some cost money. If you are interested in learning why some network assessments, like Usherwoods, cost money check out this article: Free vs Paid Network Assessments
To get in touch with a managed cybersecurity expert and learn more about our Odyssey Global IT network assessments, click the button below.
