Creating a competitive edge is something you should be passionate about as a business owner. Utilizing the power of technology is a vital part of getting ahead in the world of business. The more technology your company uses, the more security measures you will need to put in place.
Did you realize that by the year 2020, security breaches will cost businesses around $150 million? Instead of putting your sensitive information at risk, now is the time to find the right solutions to protect it. For years, business owners have been using Free Network Monitoring Tools to keep hackers at bay.
Are you in the market for network monitoring software? If you answered yes, then be sure to consider the following tips before making a selection.
Get to Know Your Network Beforehand
One of the biggest advantages of using modern network monitoring tools is the high level of versatility they have. Getting the right monitoring solutions for your network will require you to do a bit of research. Before going out to look at the network monitoring solutions at your disposal, take the time to get to know your network.
Finding out things like how many routers, servers and workstations your network has is vital. You will also need to consider the amount of growth your network will undergo in the next couple of years. With this information, you should have no problem choosing a monitoring solution that can grow with your business.
An Easy to Operate Network Monitoring Tool
If you are like most business owners, your knowledge of network monitoring is limited. Rather than choosing a program that is hard to use, you need to find an option that is built with the end-user in mind. The more cumbersome and hard to use a network monitoring tool is, the higher the risk becomes of cyber-attacks occurring.
Often times, the manufacturers of these programs will offer demo versions of their software. These demos will allow you to get a feel for what the program in question offers before you buy it. While it will take some time and energy to try out a few programs, it will be worth the effort in the long run. The last thing you want to do is rush through this selection process due to the problems this can cause later on.
How Effective is the Program in Question?
The main goal you should have when investing in a network monitoring tool is getting a program that is effective. Some business owners make the mistake of choosing a program based solely on price. Opting for the cheapest network monitoring solution will only lead to headaches in the future.
Ideally, you want to select a program that is routinely updated. By doing this, you can rest assured that your software will detect the latest methods being used by hackers. Often times, cloud-based software is the best way to go due to the fact that it updates automatically.
The Tech Support Factor
Another important consideration to make before choosing a network monitoring solution is the tech support offered by the manufacturer. When setting up or maintaining this monitoring tool, you may be confronted with problems. Trying to figure these issues out on your own can lead to excessive downtime.
Choosing a software program with tech support, you can get these problems fixed in a hurry. Paying a bit extra for this type of support will be well worth it.
Take Your Time When Choosing a Network Monitoring Tool
Getting impatient and rushing through the network monitoring tool selection process should be avoided at all costs. Consulting with a reputable and experienced IT professional can help you make this important decision.