In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, protecting your organization from threats requires a proactive and layered approach. Protecting how your organization interacts with the internet is one of those layers. Internet schemes offer many opportunities for cyber criminals to scam people and steal sensitive data. Staying safe online is a challenge today, and it can be monumental for businesses who have no security measures in place to protect their data from web criminals.
So, what’s the right online safety tactic to defend your data and employees from exposure to risky sites? This article explores DNS filter protection and how it could be a great security tactic to add to your cyber defense strategy. Before hopping into DNS filtering and what it does, let’s start at the beginning and define the virtual connection between us and the internet…
DNS Defined
DNS stands for Domain Name System and it’s kind of like the phonebook of the Internet. We access information and resources online through domain names, like google.com or espn.com. Web browsers interact through Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. Your IP address is a unique number linked to you and your online activity. DNS translates domain names to IP addresses so browsers can load internet resources. Internet safety is a security best practice that any business should prioritize. While the internet is an invaluable resource for daily work and business operations, it offers a lot of risk. A simple but effective method to protect people from such risk is to filter those seedy websites out with DNS filtering.
A DNS filter essentially acts as a website blocker, preventing access to precarious websites. For businesses, DNS filtering is a solution that works beyond traditional firewalls and antivirus software. It can offer comprehensive internet security, visibility, and productivity enhancements. A business internet filter is a great way to minimize your threat profile from online hackers and seedy websites.
Here’s why a DNS filter should be a key component of your cybersecurity strategy.
Common Cybersecurity Concerns and How DNS Can Help
- Phishing and Social Engineering: Phishing attacks are on the rise. A 2024 report from SlashNext estimated a 341% increase in malicious emails over the past six months. AI is making cyber criminals smarter and craftier while their tactics are becoming more efficient. A DNS filter is an effective way to block phishing attempts, preventing hackers from stealing credentials or deploying malware.
- Remote Work Security: With more employees working remotely, traditional firewalls are no longer enough as a standalone security measure. How strong is your employees’ home office internet security? Do they use public wi-fi when working remotely? Firewalls can’t catch some man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, like spoofing and hijacking. DNS filtering provides protection regardless of location.
- Legacy Network Setups: Even if your network setup has been problem-free for years, the rising sophistication of cyberattacks necessitates enhanced security measures like DNS filtering.
- Trust and Security: DNS filters are not just about monitoring employees but also about protecting them from malicious content. Prominent sites like Facebook and other social media outlets bring security risks to employees. Communicating this to your team can help alleviate concerns.
Finding Your ROI with DNS Filter Protection
Visibility: Beyond Blocking Threats
Blocking threats is one aspect of cybersecurity. Understanding and analyzing these threats is where your cybersecurity strategy becomes smarter and more proactive. Implementing a DNS filter can offer more visibility into what is being blocked based on user behavior, the frequency of threats, and precarious sites/pages. IT administrators should advise on policies regarding acceptable web usage during work hours and establish written guidelines. This enables detailed tracking of individual user DNS requests, helping identify time-wasting behaviors or legitimate business needs.
Productivity: Balancing Technology and Efficiency
While technology enhances productivity, it also introduces distractions that can hinder efficiency. Social media, news sites, gaming platforms, and even email can detract from focus. Implementing content/web filtering can help mitigate distractions by blocking inappropriate or disruptive sites during work hours, thus enhancing productivity.
Customized block pages can serve as reminders to stay focused, and content filtering policies can be scheduled to allow access to certain sites after work hours. This balance ensures employees remain productive while still having access to necessary resources.
Internet Safety Rules: An Evolving Necessity
Cybersecurity is not a one-time implementation but a continuous process that adapts to emerging threats. Hackers evolve by the day as they learn new ways to phish for your data and pose ransomware attacks. They come at us from every angle, so it’s becoming more imperative to have multiple layers of defense, such as firewalls, antivirus software, and internet filtering. Each of these elements protects your organization in the different ways of how your data is being accessed, shared, and secured.
The internet is a wonderful place, but it’s also a feeding ground for cybercriminals to compromise your employees and data if you’re not careful. Hackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often targeting web users for financial gain. Even with cybersecurity awareness training, highly motivated attackers can deceive users into clicking malicious links. A DNS filter could block those threats instantly, and even previously unseen ones. Studies have found a DNS filter solution can identify over 76% of domain-based threats, including zero-day threats.
Is DNS Filter Protection Right For Your Business?
Should you use DNS filtering in your business? YES. Cyberthreats are ever –evolving and businesses of all sizes and industries are at risk. Cyber security for small businesses is of greater interest today, as SMBs are becoming a prime target for cybercriminals. Your business needs cybersecurity that adapts to evolving threats, enhances visibility into network activities, and improves productivity by minimizing distractions.
NetGain has experience setting up and supporting many different cybersecurity applications, including DNS filter software. We’ve got a full team of cybersecurity experts in-house who would be glad to offer guidance and support on how you can make your business safer and more secure. Reach out for a quick chat if you’d like more information on DNS filtering applications and implementation. We’re here to help.
