Business networks and the methods and resources used to access them have continued to grow at a rapid pace. For this reason, among others, business executives and other organizational leaders have placed increased attention on administrators to thoroughly verify that an IT infrastructure is in good condition.
Basics Of Network Monitoring
A network monitoring system essentially tracks activity on one or more networks to detect issues that stem from either overloaded servers/connections or malfunctioning devices. Typically, diagnostic tools and applications are utilized to conduct network monitoring. As part of this process, algorithms are used to establish a standard for data-at-rest, and three main metrics are used to evaluate the strength and reliability of a network (or group of networks):
- Availability (which is difficult to obtain if a malicious agent is capable of launching a DDoS attack against appliances and servers)
- Configuration (i.e. application settings, system inventory)
- Performance (i.e. data transfer speed).
According to information management consulting company Infonetics, network monitoring switches with advanced processing capabilities witnessed “sharp growth” in 2014. These transitions represented 84% of total network monitoring switch revenue.
Endpoint Devices
An endpoint device is a computer device on a TCP (transmission control protocol) or IP network that has Internet connection capabilities. With regard to network security, endpoint security refers to the process of shielding a corporate network whenever it is accessed via laptops and other similar mobile and wireless devices.
Each of these remote devices constitutes a possible entry point for security dangers. According to research by software company Code42, CIOs and IT decision-makers estimate that nearly 45% of all corporate data is contained on endpoint devices. If you allow employees in your organization to bring their own devices (smartphones, laptops, etc.) to work and neglect to require endpoint devices to satisfy certain criteria prior to receiving authorization to access network resources, your business could potentially end up facing security issues (e.g., compromise of sensitive data).
Network Infrastructure
Basic network monitoring is not the only important process to undertake to ensure your organization’s infrastructure is stable. You should also acquire monitoring tools that offer administrators the ability to observe network activity in real-time. These tools are particularly important if you have installed a large number of components and systems on your network. Today, data breaches and other cybersecurity attacks occur at incredibly frequent rates, which means it’s critical to react quickly whenever these types of assaults occur.
According to a 2017 study conducted by the University of Maryland, a hacker attacks computers with Internet access every 39 seconds (on average). This translates to approximately one in three Americans being targeted each year. For this reason, your organization should emphasize to all employees the importance of choosing secure usernames and passwords and implementing multi-factor authentication for all users.
Benefits Of Network Monitoring Services
One of the primary benefits of network monitoring services is the fact that they help you maintain complete visibility of your network(s) while working to detect security threats. However, these services can also help:
- Predict and prevent network downtime
- Track bandwidth usage (how much digital information is exchanged across a network during a specific amount of time)
- Reduce mean time to repair (MTTR)
- Reduce labor costs and greater efficiency in assisting clients
- Generate network performance reports
- Identify performance issues that occur outside regular business hours
It’s also important to note that network monitoring and network security monitoring are different, although the tools and resources used for these processes often overlap.
Speak With An Experienced Managed IT Services Provider
Reach out to the managed IT services providers at SeaGlass Technology in New York to learn more about the importance of network monitoring services. We are dedicated to providing small and mid-sized businesses with innovative and efficient solutions that are customized to meet their unique needs. Our staff are highly certified in many IT-related services and have extensive knowledge of top original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and independent software vendors (ISVs).
In order to conduct network monitoring and management, SeaGlass’s staff utilize special software programs that allow managed service providers (MSPs) the ability to solve IT-related issues remotely. We use tickets or alerts to notify an MSP when an issue arises on a client’s network. These alerts are generally categorized as either critical or non-critical, depending on the severity of the issue at hand. Our services are intended to help your organization save substantial time and money. Call SeaGlass Technology today at 212.886.0790 or contact us online to schedule a consultation or for more information about our managed IT services.