In recent posts, we’ve highlighted the importance of an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) over a basic Intrusion Detection System (IDS). While an IDS merely detects cyber attacks, an IPS goes further by actively PREVENTING attacks through immediate response upon detection. Having an IPS on your server is essential to safeguard your business and ensure its ongoing success.
Real World Scenario
Earlier this year, the City of Atlanta faced a ransomware cyberattack that crippled their systems. This assault brought the City’s financial operations to a complete halt and is regarded as the most severe cyberattack on a US city to date.
Customers (citizens) are required to use this government service, with no alternative options available. This means that anyone needing to pay bills for water, garbage, taxes, parking tickets, and similar services must visit the City offices in person to make their payments.
Yes, this means they had to navigate Atlanta traffic and find parking just to pay their bill.
This was a significant inconvenience for their customers, but once again, the customers had no alternative. Would your business be so fortunate? Definitely NOT! Your customers have options, and an inconvenience like this would be unacceptable. They could easily turn to a competitor, and your business could disappear overnight!
Saving Money or Risking Your Business
You’ve likely heard about large businesses being targeted in the news, but what does this mean for a small or medium-sized business? You possess valuable non-public, private data, and hackers know it. This means you are NOT immune to an attack.
Unlike a large corporation like Equifax or a government agency, a small or medium-sized business is unlikely to recover from the reputational damage caused by a major cyber attack – it could be the end of your business. Additionally, the financial burden of repairing the damage from the breach can be overwhelming.
You’ve likely invested countless hours and immense effort into building your business. Cutting corners on security is a risk you simply can’t afford.
It’s estimated that the City of Atlanta’s cyber attack could cost over $17 million. However, they have the assurance that their customers will remain loyal once they recover. Your business does NOT have that guarantee.
Is it truly worth saving money instead of investing it where security is concerned? Absolutely not.
Server – Where the Data Resides!
A Server IPS is one of the most crucial components of an IPS, second only to an IPS on your Network.
If your server goes down or becomes unavailable, it impacts your entire business, unlike a single workstation failure. When one workstation goes offline, only one user is inconvenienced. You can continue operating even if a workstation is out of commission. However, if your server is attacked and taken offline, it significantly disrupts your overall business operations.
Your business could face a shutdown similar to what happened in the City of Atlanta. How long could you realistically sustain such a halt? Likely not very long. During that time, customers would turn to your competitors and take their business elsewhere.
This does not even account for the trust your customers place in you to keep their data confidential. If you are subject to HIPAA or FINRA regulations, a breach could not only drive customers away but also result in hefty fines and potential jail time.
Taking Preventative Action
At 24×7 Protect IT, Inc., our comprehensive package features a sophisticated Intrusion Prevention System that integrates anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-malware protection. We continuously monitor this solution and offer dedicated backend support.
If an incident occurs, we are immediately alerted and will promptly inform you as well. The best part is that we will notify you when no data has been compromised. As you can see, having an IPS on your server is essential for your business’s ongoing operations. Contact us today to discuss how we can protect your business now and in the future.
