Top 10 Tips

Need assistance?  Are you planning a new network for your business?  If so, before you do anything, consider a few things carefully.

Here are a few tips to help you simplify your IT Systems management:

1. Protect your network from viruses – Anti-virus software

We would recommend strongly that Anti-virus software be mandatory as the most important security element on your network.

iConsult recommends: Sophos Anti-virus Enterprise Manager

2. Protect your network from hackers – Hardware FireWall

A FireWall will provide you with the foundation you need to begin configuring security rules that protect you from the ‘Internet’s elements’ such as hackers, Email Bomb’s, SPAM with weblink infections and spyware etc.

iConsult recommends: Cisco PIX FireWall or SonicWall TZ170 FireWall

3. Protect your network from SPAM – E-mail Gateway Security Software

E-mail Gateway Security Software works in compliment to your Anti-virus software – the simple principal is that if you stand guard at the gates of your network and halt traffic before it knocks on the door – you can refer back the your Anti-virus guard-dog and confer with him – if he has no bad reports or concerns about the pending traffic, the gateway guard lets it in.

Major benefit – helps fend off SPAM!

iConsult recommends:: NetiQ Mailmarshal

4. Invest in quality hardware for your network Server, not PCs used as servers. i.e. add resilience with disk RAID

Many small businesses use a Computer with a large hard-disk as their ‘slave’ or server.

This is a risky strategy and does little to;

 Provide a foundation for growth

 Guarantee the resilience of your applications and data

 Provide suitable back-up media

 Prevent downtime in the event of disk-failure

 Provide Remote Working or Remote Access facilities

 Provide up-time availability, flexibility and security of your E-mail i.e. Microsoft Exchange

iConsult recommends: Microsoft Small Business Server 2003

5. Regularly back-up your data and build a Business Continuity Plan

Back-up of your corporate network data is one of the most important IT functions. To survive a Disaster Recovery (DR) situation, your business should use the following as part of your Business Continuity (BC) strategy;

• Implement a Back-up Media storage solution
• Implement an off-site media storage process
• Implement a daily and monthly 'gross’ data archive as part of that process
• Engage in a DR site contract agreement – shared or dedicated
• Ensure you have a ‘server on-standby’ contract

iConsult recommends: Veritas Back-up Exec, Jersey Telecom Business Continuity Suites and iSupport Pro Contract

6. Keep things simple

The corporate network is aptly named as such because it is designed to store application data related to the corporate environment and functions of the corporate business. By increasing the size of your network, the cost of ownership rises and the likelihood of technical failure is increased.

Here are some practical do’s and dont's for planning your network policy:

Disable downloading of music and video files

  Disable use of USB/Media device ports and devices

Limit administrator rights to your IT support contractors or personnel only

Employ a password policy through your IT contractor/personnel

Employ an Internet usage policy

iConsult recommends: Veritas Back-up Exec, Jersey Telecom Business Continuity Suites and iSupport Pro Contract

7. Use Microsoft Windows Small Business server 2003 if you are a small business

As a small enterprise business and depending on the number of staff you have using a workstation, Microsoft Windows Small Business server 2003 can encompass all of the applications you need.

Microsoft Windows Small Business server 2003 provides you with:

File, print, and application sharing. The power of Active Directory® directory service and its tools.

Microsoft Remote Work Web Space – Remote Desktop technology to your PC from anywhere

Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 with Outlook - A unified place to manage e-mail, calendars, shared calendaring, contacts, and other personal and team information plus Internet e-mail and messaging solution through Microsoft Outlook® Web Access, to access e-mail through the Web.

iConsult recommends: Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003

8. Do not use illegal Software

The use of illegal software could prompt a visit from the ‘Federation Against Software Theft’ (FAST).

As well as keeping the Software Police away, Genuine software entitles you to receive free product updates from most companies.

Microsoft will even send you e-mails with tips on security, support, product information and more.

iConsult recommends: Microsoft Business Solutions

9. Use a business broadband connection, especially if you make use of an internal mail server

Business broadband provides the ability to send business email through a recognised Internet Service Provider (ISP) which can help prevent your emails from being SPAM or Black-listed.  Sending business email from a dynamic home ADSL service does not offer consistency to recipients ISP's.

iConsult recommends: Jersey Telecom Business Rapid

10. Use a professional IT company, a helpful neighbour or friend won’t have the required skills or experience!

iConsult can help you build a solid infrastructure on which to build your business - leave the computer stuff to us.