When considering an IT supplier to manage your business network, it's important to understand how they protect your network from cyber threats and keep your systems running smoothly. Network security isn't just a technical detail—it directly affects your business's ability to operate without disruption, safeguard sensitive data, and maintain customer trust.
Why network security matters for UK SMEs
For a typical UK small or medium-sized business, network downtime or a security breach can lead to lost sales, damaged reputation, and regulatory headaches. For example, if your network is compromised, personal data of customers or staff could be exposed, risking non-compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. This can attract investigations by the ICO and potentially costly fines. Additionally, malware or ransomware attacks can halt your operations, reducing staff productivity and increasing recovery costs.
A practical example
Imagine a 50-employee accounting firm in Manchester. Their IT supplier manages their network, including firewalls and Wi-Fi. One day, a phishing email leads to a ransomware infection. Because the supplier had implemented multi-factor authentication (MFA) for remote access, and regularly tested backups stored securely offsite, the firm was able to restore their systems quickly with minimal data loss. The supplier's proactive monitoring also detected unusual network activity early, allowing them to isolate the threat before it spread further.
Key questions to ask your IT provider about network security
- How do you protect our network perimeter? Ask about firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and secure Wi-Fi configurations.
- What authentication methods are in place? Confirm if they enforce strong password policies and MFA, especially for remote access.
- How is network access controlled? Find out how they manage user permissions and whether they regularly review access rights.
- Do you monitor the network continuously? Continuous monitoring helps detect and respond to threats quickly.
- What is your backup and disaster recovery approach? Ensure backups are regular, tested, and stored securely offsite or in the cloud.
- How do you keep our network devices updated? Regular patching of routers, switches, and other hardware is essential to close security gaps.
- Can you provide evidence of compliance with relevant standards? Look for adherence to Cyber Essentials (or Plus), ISO 27001, or similar frameworks.
- How do you handle incident response? Understand their process for managing and communicating security incidents.
Simple internal checks you can perform
- Review who has administrative access to your network equipment and systems; remove any unnecessary accounts.
- Check that all network devices have up-to-date firmware and security patches.
- Verify that backups are happening regularly and test restoring a file or system.
- Confirm that staff use strong, unique passwords and that MFA is enabled where possible.
- Ask your IT provider for recent network security audit reports or vulnerability assessments.
Choosing an IT supplier who takes network security seriously is vital for protecting your business from cyber risks and ensuring smooth operations. Discuss these points openly with your current or prospective provider. If you're unsure about their answers or want a second opinion, consider consulting a trusted managed IT service or independent IT advisor familiar with UK SME needs and compliance requirements. This practical approach will help you make an informed decision and strengthen your business's security posture.