If you’re getting a startup off the ground, it’s probably an exciting time for you. Doubtless, you have big plans for the next months and years. However, you also need to recognize everything that’s going to go into this new endeavor.
For instance, when setting up your business’s computer system, you’ll need to consider how well it can handle your infrastructure management. You’ll also need to think about network security, which is every bit as critical.
In this article, we’ll hit some bullet points about these two business aspects.
What is Infrastructure Management?
There is a connection between network security and infrastructure management. We’ll talk about the latter before we discuss the former.
Infrastructure management:
- Is a business’s essential operational component
- Might have to do with human resources, data, processes, equipment, and policies
That is what it means in a broad sense. However, if you’re talking about a computer network, this term means something more specific.
With computer infrastructure management, you’re focusing more on the system, storage, and network itself.
How Can You Handle Computer Network Infrastructure Management?
With computer infrastructure management, you need to either create a proprietary system for your staff and business to use or pay a monthly fee to access one that already exists. Many companies go with this second option.
If that is what you choose to do, you can use products or services from:
- Microsoft
- IBM
- Hewlett-Packard
The idea is that you browse the different available services, and then you pick the one that best matches your needs. Some options might be Pulseway, ConnectWise Automate, Datadog, PagerDuty, and the Microsoft System Center.
What is a Computer Network Infrastructure Management System’s Main Purpose?
There are lots of different things you might need one of these management systems to do. Exactly what you need from it will vary according to your business model.
For instance, you will probably need it to maintain effective change management practices and policies. You may need it to ensure interoperability between external and organizational entities.
You might be thinking about promoting the adaptability necessary for a rapidly changing environment. You’ll probably want to enhance information flow through your system as much as possible. You need to ensure standard adherence and reduce effort duplication and redundancies.
What is Network Security?
As you think about all these things that you need your computer infrastructure management to do, you’ll need to consider your network’s security.
Simply stated, network security consists of the safety measures that you put in place to guard your network as it’s doing all the things that we just mentioned.
For instance, if you’re exchanging client information via your network or communicating with out-of-network elements, you must be sure that you’re not leaving yourself open to hackers, malware, etc.
What Are Some Basic Network Security Elements?
Some of the more basic network security elements that you’ll want to use are anti-spyware and anti-malware software packages. You can often get these as part of infrastructure management tools.
However, if you feel like what you’re using lacks security, you can always add additional software until you’re satisfied.
You’re going to want to put up a firewall. This will isolate your network from the internet. People on the web with bad intentions can’t access your network through the firewall unless you grant them access.
You’ll also want to give your employees some cybersecurity training. You can call a Zoom meeting if you like and hire an expert to talk to your team if you feel that some aren’t the most experienced in this area.
The expert will likely talk about things like not opening emails with attachments from senders you don’t know. They might mention having complicated, lengthy passwords that your employees change frequently.
You Can Add Some Additional Security Elements
It would also be wise to add some more security elements to protect your network. You might install email filters and spam protection.
You may want to set up a VPN, also called a virtual private network. You may think about content filtering and wireless protection.
There is a direct connection between the computer network infrastructure management you choose to set up and the security system you have in place for it. Until you have both elements up and functioning correctly, you won’t be able to progress very far with your plans.
Consider which tools make the most sense for you, and then price them to see if they’re within your budget.
