Importance of Firewall Security in BPO
January 11, 2022India was the third most cyber-attacked nation in the world
A recent study by Cisco found that a majority of the Indian firms reported a 25 percent increase in cybersecurity attacks – [Source: Malware attacks threaten companies as hybrid workspace model gains prominence – TIE]
Cybersecurity threats are increasing at an alarming rate for Indian enterprises as a hybrid workspace model is being deployed by a majority of these companies. After the government eased the Other Service Provider (OSP) regulations for the BPO and IT services firms for facilitating Work from Home, experts say companies should start investing more in cybersecurity to allay major concerns like data leakages and malware attacks.
The survey jointly conducted by industry body, ASSOCHAM and Microsoft says that Most cyber frauds in India’s business process outsourcing (BPO) sector take place due to a lack of strict implementation of existing information security protocols together with poor employee awareness [Source: BPO firms lack seriousness on cyber fraud threats – ET]
How does Firewall help in Cyber Security?
Firewalls serve as a first line of defense to external threats, malware, and hackers trying to gain access to your data and systems and firewall security to BPO is the first step in helping your business grow safely in the ever-changing digital age. Even if your business only relies on technology and networks for a small piece of your operations, it is still equally important that you take proactive steps to keep things protected.
Benefits of Firewall
- Monitors Network Traffic: By monitoring and analyzing network traffic, firewalls leverage pre-defined rules and filters to keep your systems as well as your data protected. With a well-trained IT team, you can manage your levels of protection based on what you see coming in and out through your firewall.
- Stops Virus Attacks: Firewalls are the capacity to control your system’s entry points and stop potential virus attacks that could result in the loss of sensitive and confidential proprietary data of a user/organization.
- Prevents Hacking: India has been figuring in the top countries that have been falling prey to data breach and theft for years. Besides this, Indian companies allowing employees to Work From Home (WFH) have not prepared them to deal with how to protect themselves from unauthorized access or usage. These companies have become a lame target for cybercriminals, causing cybersecurity breaches to increase massively. With the rise of data theft and criminals holding systems hostage, firewalls have become even more than ever in the organization, as they prevent hackers from gaining unauthorized access to your data, emails, systems, networks, and more. A firewall can stop a hacker completely or deter them from choosing you as an easier target.
- Stops Spyware: India is witnessing a 37 percent increase in cyberattacks in the first quarter of 2020 compared to 2019 (Source: Inc42). Spyware is typically downloaded from the internet without your knowledge by clicking on a link or another unremarkable action. The usage of an effective firewall in your organization that not only blocks unauthorized users to spy on your computer usage data and also streamline your employee’s internet usage and management.
- Promotes Privacy: Since your organization under firewall protection, it means that you, your client, and your customers benefit from the promotion of privacy.
By proactively working to keep your data and your customer’s data safe, you build an environment of privacy that your clients can trust and customer retention. No one likes their data stolen, especially when it is clear that steps could have been taken to prevent the intrusion. Additionally, upgraded data-protection systems can be a competitive advantage and a selling point to customers and clients. The benefit increases the more sensitive the data your company deals with.