Information, in all its forms, is the most valuable asset that most organisations possess. As IT systems evolve into seamless, integrated networks, the necessity of securing the enterprise is becoming increasingly critical and a simple firewall is probably not enough.

Enterprise networks are increasingly vulnerable to a wide variety of threats from computer viruses, identity fraud, "trojan horses", SPAM, malicious worms or simply curious users visiting dubious websites. Thus the need to secure internal networks and systems from both internal and external threats increases relentlessly.

The main areas where most organisations face risks to their data / IT systems (as well as from the more obvious theft or systems failure) include the following:

1. Virus attacks
2. Some viruses are designed to destroy information, sometimes causing systems to crash, others simply clog up systems and networks with unwanted and useless information. They can be subdivided into categories: macro viruses, file viruses and boot sector viruses. Within these categories, there are many types , including Worms and Trojan Horses. Protection from virus attack demands a combination of technology, people and planning. Protection against this sort of attack is typically pprovided by Anti-Virus and SPAM Firewalls.
   
   
3. Inappropriate usage
4. The most commonly cited misdemeanour at disciplinary hearings is e-mail and / or internet abuse. The term covers a huge range of activities – from surfing the net during office hours through to e-mailing material that is obscene, offensive and damaging to an organisation’s reputation and prospects. Everyone has a different view on what is obscene or offensive, and e-mail, with its potential for mass, instantaneous mailings, can magnify the problem. However this is further complicated because sending and forwarding digital information is dangerously easy. Someone who would never dream of accidentally sending sensitive information to the wrong postal address may accidentally click on the wrong e-mail address without even realising.The ideal solution to this problem is achieved by the installation of a Proxy Server.
   
   
5. Unauthorised access (hacking)
6. Unauthorised access – or hacking – can come from outside the business (with the hacker gaining access to your systems over the telephone, wireless or broadband network), or inside the business, when the hacker is often an employee. It can involve obvious damage: your website vandalised, files altered, damaged or deleted; or less obvious: files can be copied and taken without your knowledge. Firewalls, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Intrusion Detection & Intrusion Prevention Systems (IDS & IPS) can provide an effective safeguard against this sort of problem. These can be stand-alone or integrated products.