Small business owners often deal with tasks independently, but cybersecurity requires multiple security layers and a team-centric outlook. Getting the best out of your cybersecurity setup can’t rely solely on guesswork or DIY approaches.
IT infrastructure design and implementation can range from simple to highly complex, depending on the full scope of your business needs. Your organization-specific goals and pain points influence hardware, network design, endpoint protection, choices, and more.
Before you dive into building network infrastructure or architecture, you’ll need to do a bit of planning and strategy. This article focuses on three important questions small business owners should ask before building their own network.
More Than Just Network and Security Solutions
Cybersecurity involves more than just installing basic network hardware. If you want effective security, you need to understand the importance of a layered system of tools and policies. Modern threats love to target endpoints, user credentials, and any vulnerabilities in configuration.
Here are a few other details to think about:
- Security decisions should align with your business operations, data flow, and risk exposure
- Your future network plans should account for growth, remote access needs, and cloud usage
- A well-designed security stack reduces downtime, compliance risk, financial loss, and reputational damage
Asking the right foundational questions is where you start. This is how you end up properly aligning your security tools with business objectives for long-term, scalable support.
1. What are My Network Security Goals?
The scope of your network security should be tailored to your industry, unique operations, and any relevant compliance requirements. Specific use cases come into play as well. Whether it’s content filtering, PCI compliance, or unrestricted access, all of these points matter when looking for the right network security appliance.
Businesses will also want to have their daily workflows mapped out pretty well. This helps to identify which network functions are critical for productivity and reliability on a day-to-day basis. If you’re working with a mobile workforce or multiple locations, then there should be a priority on VPNs, email security, and secure remote access.
At the end of the day, your overall performance needs and security priorities correlate to the type of firewall solutions you end up with. Keep in mind that different firewall platforms are built for varying operational goals. From beginner-friendly to high-performance and advanced configurations, there are a lot of options to choose from.
2. What Licenses, Subscriptions, or Services Will I Need?
While the firewall is your foundation, small business owners also need to think about any licenses or subscriptions they might need. You won’t need every add-on out there, but some services are critical compared to others. A few examples of this include the various options behind Sophos Central or SonicWall’s Cloud Secure Edge (CSE).
Things like email security and phishing protection should always be high up on the list. The attack frequency with phishing scams is only going to get worse as threats continue to evolve. Other services you’ll want to consider are cloud-based sandboxing and AntiSpam services. Both are important in protecting individual users and mail systems as a whole.
The licenses and services you’re looking into should be chosen based on your organization’s unique network goals and risks. Outside of choosing firewall hardware and associated services, you also want to put a lot of thought into what configuration.
3. How Hard is it to Configure a Firewall?
The reality is that firewall configuration is often the most complex and time-consuming step. Proper setup requires steps like network diagramming, policy planning, and rule creation. In addition to that, NAT rules, traffic handling, and user segmentation require a bit of consideration of their own.
Even if you’re working with the perfect hardware and license setup, misconfiguration can completely undermine your network security. It’s also vital not to rely on DIY resources, as this could just end up creating more problems than intended.
Utilizing professional configuration and management services guarantees accuracy, performance reliability, and saves businesses from a lot of wear and tear. That’s why working with experts on the matter can be so helpful. Not only can they point you toward the right network security appliance, but they can also walk you through proper setup as well.
The Final Word
Building a business network is a strategic decision, one that affects security, productivity, and scalability. Defining your goals, requirements, and configuration needs are all core parts of IT infrastructure best practices here.
Small business owners tend to be frequent targets of evolving cyber threats, highlighting the crucial need for a layered security stack. Avoid the trial and error and come have a talk with us at Firewalls.com about how we can help you find the right network and security solutions.
FAQ
Why Can’t Small Business Owners Rely on a DIY Approach for Network Security?
Cybersecurity requires layered protection, proper configuration, and ongoing management. A DIY approach will leave gaps that advanced threats can easily exploit.
How do I Determine the Right Network Security Goals for My Business?
Start by evaluating your industry, daily workflows, and compliance requirements. Also consider whether you need support for remote users or multiple locations. These factors define the level of performance, access control, and protection you’ll need.
Are Firewall Licenses and Subscriptions Really Necessary?
Yes, many critical protections, such as email security, phishing prevention, and sandboxing, are delivered through licenses and subscriptions.
What Makes Firewall Configurations so Challenging?
Firewall setup involves network diagramming, rule creation, NAT policies, and user segmentation. A single misconfiguration can make for a vulnerable network.
When Should a Small Business Owner Consider Professional Network Configuration?
If your network deals with sensitive data, remote access, or compliance requirements, professional configuration guarantees reliability, reduces risk, and helps you avoid a ton of trial and error.
