These days, a business's network is the backbone of their daily operations — it’s crucial in running a systematic way of communicating with customers, keeping important records, and tracking revenue. New Jersey businesses depend heavily on their networks, so it’s imperative that they’re reliable and secure, with optimal connectivity to boot. These professional networks need proper management, which is why there is a growing demand for network management services.
What are network management services?
Network management services are services provided by an IT team — either internal, external, or a combination of both — to ensure that a business’s computer network is always running optimally. These involve monitoring and controlling the resources within a computer network to ensure that all components are properly maintained and used productively.
Related article: How do IT failures and downtime affect your business?
What are the key components of network management?
For a small business like yours, a one-size-fits-all approach to network management may work for some time, but as your business grows, you will want to have specialists who can focus on the following areas:
- Network fault management
This area focuses on fixing faults or issues before they can cause downtime. Fault management technicians are tasked with detecting problems, isolating faults, determining causes of issues, troubleshooting and resolving problems, and documenting the processes used in responding to tech issues. - Network configuration management
This area is about monitoring and documenting network device configurations. Network managers are tasked with setting up, maintaining, organizing, and updating the information associated with your network’s components. Some of their specific responsibilities are: - Router and switch configurations, such as inputting the correct IP addresses, router settings, etc.
- Host configurations, such as logging network activity, setting up device routing, configuring DNS settings, etc.
- Software configurations, such as customizing credential policies, managing traffic monitoring tools, etc.
- Network administration
This area is involved with administering network configurations. Network administrators are tasked with ensuring that security policies are being followed, as well as raising and justifying certain configuration adjustments or changes. - Network performance management
This area is centered on measuring and improving the efficiency of a network. Network performance managers are tasked with gathering performance data, analyzing data to establish baseline levels, and establishing performance thresholds. - Network security management
This area seeks to keep cybersecurity threats at bay. Network security managers are tasked with preventing, detecting, and responding to security threats, specifically: - Setting up and maintaining firewalls and reverse proxy servers
- Knowing where and when to apply web application firewalls
- Configuring intrusion detection and intrusion prevention systems
- Running email scans
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Installing and maintaining antivirus and anti-malware software
Why are network management services important?
With networks carrying so much valuable information, network management has never been more critical. Most companies now use internet-powered data, voice, and video tools for day-to-day operations, and all of this data will be at risk of loss or damage if networks are poorly managed. Furthermore, there is a growing demand for remote working or home-based working arrangements that would warrant even more online collaboration — and in turn, security — than ever.
Outsourced network management services ensure that all business information is protected and used optimally, no matter what platform or infrastructure your organization uses. They also help reduce network disruptions, improve network security, increase IT productivity, and provide a better view of how well your business is performing as a whole. The best part is, outsourced network management services can also support your in-house IT team so that the latter can focus on more important tasks, which can lead to cost savings related to human effort and expertise.
Get enterprise-grade network management by partnering with New Jersey’s premier managed IT solutions provider, Online Computers. We’ll help you make sense of your network needs and everything it entails. Contact us today to learn more.
