Almost every company relies on broadband Internet to manage the day-to-day runnings of the business and liaise with customers. Its become a critical part of a company’s success and ability to maintain a competitive edge in the market.
But with Internet connectivity comes potential cyber threats. It’s not just large corporations who are targeted, any business of any size could fall victim to phishing scams, malware or data breaches which could reveal sensitive company and client information.
According to the UK government, 50% of businesses experienced some form of attempted data breach in 2024. This highlights the necessity of safeguarding data and bears the question, what tools can protect this information?
The Growing Need For Cybersecurity With Business Broadband
While business broadband offers ultra-fast and reliable Internet, it almost has a double-edged sword. The stronger it is, the more attractive it is to cybercriminals who could potentially target the business.
Cybercrime has become incredibly sophisticated and, in most cases, are automated where vulnerable devices and networks are checked for continuously. When those are identified, hackers can carry out their attacks. Just one of those attacks can cost a business greatly, both financially and in terms of reputation where clients may lose trust in them.
It’s come to the point where protecting your broadband is no longer an option, it’s essential to avoid disruptions to business activities and keep your customers’ faith.
Best Cybersecurity Tools For Businesses Using Broadband
When it comes to cybersecurity, there are different avenues that a business could take to protect their data. The most common groups are firewalls, web filtering, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and endpoint protection.
It’s not uncommon to use a combination of these tools to provide maximum protection and ensure every aspect of the business is protected against cyber threats.
Let’s take a look at some of the top tools in each of these groups to use.
Firewalls
Firewalls are used to block traffic that is coming in or out of your network that is not authorised. These are usually the first line of defence and are highly beneficial to have to stop potential threats from causing damage.
pfSense: This is a free open-source firewall suited to those who are tech-savvy, particularly small businesses with an IT team.
Cisco Meraki MX: A cloud-managed firewall that has security features already installed including malware protection. The system is easy to manage remotely, ideal for businesses who have multiple locations.
Web Filtering
These tools are able to block links to phishing scams and malicious websites before they are opened. These are particularly helpful for businesses who have remote teams and aren’t always able to monitor their teams’ online activities.
Cloudflare Gateway: There is a free DNS filtering option but the paid plans are affordable, suited to remote workers or businesses where employees use their own devices for work.
Cisco Umbrella: This is a cloud-based DNS protection and web filtering tool to protect against phishing and malware attempts, ideal for businesses who are budget-conscious.
Endpoint Protection
The goal of endpoint protection is to safeguard phones, laptops and computers against ransomware and malware.
CrowdStrike Falcon: A cloud-based endpoint protection platform that is AI-powered and monitors activity in real-time. It’s best for companies who manage a lot of confidential information.
Microsoft Defender for Business: This is a built-in antivirus tool for those who already use Windows-based systems. It’s an affordable tool and can integrate easily with Microsoft 365.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
VPNs are used to encrypt the web traffic of remote workers who use the company’s network. Once the data is encrypted, it becomes almost impossible for hackers to intercept it.
NordLayer: This is a business-grade VPN service with strong encryptions and known for its reliability, suitable for remote or hybrid teams.
Perimeter 81: A cloud VPN platform that combines the use of VPNs, firewalls and user access control for maximum security.
E-mail Security
The majority of cyberattacks begin with an e-mail as it’s tempting for users to click on links when they are received directly in their inbox. Fortunately, these tools can filter and scan e-mails as they come in.
Proofpoint Essentials: An advanced threat protection designed for e-mail that uses encryption and filtering. It is suited to industries who are heavily regulated like finance and legal sectors.
Mimecast: This tool prevents spam and phishing attacks and is ideal for companies who use Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
Password Managers
It happens all too often where systems can be hacked because the same password has been used for multiple accounts, or the password is too weak.
LastPass Business: This is a business password management platform with strict access controls. It generates strong passwords with shared vaults where authorised users can access multiple passwords.
1Password for Business: A secure password vault designed for team access. It has role-based permissions, ideal for growing teams.
