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How The Washington Network Prevents Its Clients' Networks From Attack

Region’s Leading Unified Communications Provider Protects Their Clients’ Valuable Information with Solutions That Safeguard Data Networks


Alexandria, VA — December 30, 2009 — Attacks on an organization’s data network occur on a frequent basis.  This may come in the form of viruses, spyware or phishing.  Many small to mid-sized businesses lack the necessary technology to properly defend their critical information.  As a result, The Washington Network, Inc. implements robust solutions such as email security, web defense and off-site data backup applications to combat everyday threats. 
     

“One of the easiest avenues to penetrate a company’s network is through email,” says Rick Endres, President of The Washington Network, Inc.  “As unwanted email continues to increase, the threat to the network increases.  Left unprotected, companies could experience more downtime, less productivity and cost of fixing the network if it’s penetrated. Our response has been to introduce to our clients a fully managed email defense software that provides perimeter-based security.”

The intuitive solution offers a variety of benefits including spam blocking, virus and worm scanning, and email attack and fraud protection.  The software also presents the network administrator with a number user friendly reports designed to aide in making the necessary changes to effectively deal with new threats.  This must-have business application manages, monitors and protects an organization’s email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Additionally, The Washington Network, Inc. offers a web defense solution that proactively zeros in on spyware, viruses and phishing attacks.  It safeguards the entire network including remote users, and adapts to the developing threats.

Companies benefit immediately after its implementation.  For example, web defense reduces unproductive web surfing, network congestion, and employee downtime.  It protects against vicious attacks and potential fraud, lowers the risk of confidential information leaks, identifies spyware-infected computers, and increases web visibility by identifying how end users spend their time on the web.  Most importantly, it eliminates the time spent by IT staff on threat management and lets them focus on strategic business objectives instead.

According to a survey by Continuity Insights magazine, KPMG Risk Advisory Services, and The Hartford’s Guide to Emergency Preparedness, more than 25% of all businesses experience a significant crisis in any given year – of those that do not have a data recovery plan, 43% will not re-open.  The practice of storing information locally onto data tapes and having someone take them home for safekeeping is outdated and dangerous.  The Washington Network provides an offsite data backup solution that automatically and securely backs up all of an organization’s data directly to the onsite appliance – while simultaneously backing up a copy to the offsite storage application.  This dual solution eliminates the need to store and manage data tapes, reduces the expensive hardware needed to maintain those tapes, and increases the recovery speed of lost data.

“Over time, while data has grown more strategic and more valuable, advances in threat protection have become far more cost effective,” says Mr. Endres. “We strongly encourage our clients to take advantage of these protections. Anyone who has lost data knows what a disaster it can be. Protecting data has become a top management priority.”

ABOUT THE WASHINGTON NETWORK, INC.

Founded in 1987, The Washington Network, Inc. in Alexandria, Virginia, provides computer networks, VoIP phone systems, IT support and other technology solutions for associations and businesses in the Washington, DC Metro area.

Serving clients without a large in-house IT staff, The Washington Network lowers operating costs while increasing worker productivity. The company’s flat-rate managed services include remote network monitoring, preventive maintenance, help desk, redundant back-ups and on-site support.

A member of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, The Washington Network has been honored as the Chamber’s Professional Service Business of the Year.

Through its strategic membership in the Technology Assurance Group, The Washington Network serves and supports clients with multiple locations across the U.S. and Canada.

The Washington Network is located at 30 South Quaker Lane, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. For more information on The Washington Network, call 703.212.7100 or visit www.WashingtonNetwork.com.