The recent COVID-19 pandemic drove cybercrime rates up to 600%, based on cybersecurity statistics for 2022. Worldwide, such attacks can cost an estimated $10.5 trillion by 2025.
These figures indicate a significant threat to businesses with inadequate security measures against numerous cybercrime attacks. One way to minimize or prevent such threats is through web filtering.
How important is web filtering in maintaining your business’ privacy? What are the ways companies can benefit from implementing web filtering?
This article helps individuals and business owners become informed of the importance and benefits of web content filtering concerning an organization’s network security and privacy.
The Importance of Web Content Filtering for Businesses
Internet access has its advantages and disadvantages. Businesses must understand how to capitalize on these advantages while limiting or preventing the drawbacks and threats of such access.
One solution to accomplish these things is through web content and traffic filtering.
Web filtering is an investment for your privacy and security, especially if you’re operating an internet-based business such as an eCommerce website. If you’re based in Australia and require tax preparations involving such investments, click here to request a free tax consultation.
Businesses implementing web content filtering are typically concerned with the following issues:
- Avoiding data leakage
- Preventing access to inappropriate content and malicious websites
- Managing the company brand
- Preventing productivity loss
- Protecting internet access
Web filtering can help businesses address these concerns by intercepting potentially harmful or inappropriate content. A high-quality web filtering service can also inform managers, web administrators, and other relevant parties of such threats.
Benefits of Implementing Web Filtering
Large companies are likely to implement web filtering to oversee their employees’ internet activities and filter network traffic since these businesses have the capital to do so.
However, cybercrime threats can also affect small and medium businesses (SMBs). Of the 30 million SMBs in the United States, 66% had at least one cybercrime incident from 2018 to 2020. Thus, these companies should consider implementing web filtering as a security measure.
The advantages of web filtering for businesses include the following:
Improved System Security
The significant cyberattack increase has caused the global content filtering market to experience a 13.9% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR). Still, hackers continue improving their tactics and increasing the volume of attacks, making this trend unlikely to fall.
You can boost your business’ network security by incorporating a web content filtering service and keeping threat definitions updated.
An effective web filtering system can block malicious websites and intercept suspicious domain names. The system can also assess and classify traffic within a web page to accurately identify threats that shouldn’t be permitted into your business’ internal network.
Prevention of Phishing Attacks
You don’t need to invest much money to have strong network security that fits your needs. However, ignoring opportunities to strengthen your security can be a weak point for attack.
For instance, if you choose not to restrict using personal emails in your workplace, this channel can become an entry point for phishing attacks.
Phishing is a practice hackers use to collect confidential and sensitive information by deceiving users.
One example of this practice is when a criminal impersonates a credible individual or establishment. The hacker tricks the victim into giving sensitive information, such as login credentials, account numbers, money, or confidential files.
Using a web filtering service can help prevent employees from accessing their personal webmail services, which can fall prey to phishing attacks, and keep tabs on the company’s webmail service. Web filtering also allows you to scan email content or block access to suspicious links within the email.
Lower Incidence of Inappropriate Content
Crafting policies regarding proper workplace internet practices and training your employees about malware and phishing attacks can cover many threats. Such policies can also help secure and speed up your network system.
However, there can be instances where employees will still attempt to access or download inappropriate content intentionally despite these policies and practices. Such content can compromise your business’ network security and reputation.
Web filtering helps lower the likelihood of such an occurrence, if not entirely removed. The correct filtering setup can enable your business to avoid legal issues due to inappropriate internet use, such as those involving illegal content, pornographic material, or copyrighted media.
Aside from protecting your network from cyber criminals, web content filtering can secure your business from liabilities and prevent your employees from unproductive online distractions.
Increased Employee Productivity
Some companies have a conservative attitude toward social media access as they perceive this channel to be potentially detrimental to workplace productivity.
On the other hand, some businesses consider social media savviness valuable expertise, mainly when used to grow the business.
Thus, filtering or banning specific social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can sometimes be a complicated management decision.
In such cases, you must carefully craft your policies and guidelines to restrict web access selectively in a way that raises productivity.
This practice means you don’t need to limit social media access entirely. For example, your marketing team may use social media to promote the business or sell products through this channel. In this case, you can give access privileges to selected staff involved in such activities.
At the same time, you can block entertainment sites and online shopping portals to prevent employees from browsing irrelevant content during work.
Aside from social media, you can take web filtering one step further by crafting strict protocols regarding email use. These protocols include guidelines against replying to unverified contacts, opening shady emails, and downloading suspicious files.
Are you considering implementing web filtering for your business and need more information? Consult a network security expert to get the best solution for your needs.
Reference
- Cyber Security Statistics: The Ultimate List Of Stats Data, & Trends For 2022 https://purplesec.us/resources/cyber-security-statistics/
- Photo by Emile Perron on Unsplash
