Today, it’s common for employees to check their personal email and visit social networks on the corporate network. And while surfing the Web may seem harmless, it could be introducing vicious malware and other threats to business systems.

In fact, nearly 75 percent of the 157 enterprise security professionals recently surveyed by Osterman Research said malware infiltrated the corporate network through Web surfing. In many cases, malware sneaks its way into business systems because of poorly configured firewalls and the majority of businesses just don’t have the visibility needed to determine if an attack is occurring.

So what do businesses do to protect their networks? In hopes of fighting off malware, over half (56 percent) of respondents said that they prohibit the use of personal email and most third-party instant messaging providers are restricted. However, according to Osterman, blocking and restricting access doesn’t necessarily protect companies from infections.

In order to protect themselves from malware and other threats, businesses are increasingly turning to managed security service providers for help. According to the aforementioned survey, 78 percent of respondents said they have or are seeking cloud-based managed services to reduce the risk of malware infections. 

Managed security service providers, like Apex Technology Services, take the pressure off IT departments and monitor customers’ infrastructure and business systems 24/7 to identity and remediate problems as they arise—often before a client is even aware there is an issue.

Are you looking for an expert managed service provider? Click here to fill out our Site Assessment to pinpoint any exposure or risk in security you have.