Defending your digital fortress with network security
Blog|by Leanne Bevan|8 October 2025

Your network is your business’s backbone. Let’s make sure it’s battle-ready.
In today’s threat-filled digital landscape, network security isn’t a nice-to-have - it’s a must-have. Think of it as your watchtower: always alert, always protecting. From ransomware to rogue access attempts, the risks are real - but so are the solutions.
Why you need network security
Network security is essential for safeguarding your data, maintaining the integrity of your systems, and ensuring the smooth operation of your business. Cyber threats don’t knock. They barge in. That’s why robust network security is essential to:
- Prevent data breaches: Network security helps protect sensitive information from unauthorised access. According to a report by IBM, the average cost of a data breach in 2025 is $4.4 million, highlighting the financial impact of inadequate security measures.
- Ensure business continuity: Cyber-attacks can disrupt your operations, leading to downtime and lost revenue. Effective network security measures help prevent such disruptions, ensuring your business remains operational.
- Protect against malware and ransomware: Detect and neutralise malicious threats before they infiltrate your systems and cause damage.
- Build trust with your customers: Security isn’t just technical - it’s reputational. Show your customers their data is safe with you. It’s now becoming a key requirement for businesses in a supply chain.
Network security solutions
- Advanced firewall solutions provide a robust first line of defence, blocking unauthorised access and monitoring incoming and outgoing traffic. Interestingly, 60% of firewalls are now partially or full cloud hosted.
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) help systems assist in detecting and preventing potential threats, ensuring your network remains secure.
- Encryption protects your data, ensuring it remains confidential and secure.
- Secure access controls ensure that only authorised users can access your network, reducing the risk of insider threats.
- Continuous monitoring provides real-time visibility into your network, allowing you to detect and respond to threats promptly.
- Virtual LANs (VLANs) isolate sensitive departments within the network.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) verifies every connection and limits access based on identity and context, reducing lateral movement within the network.
- Secure DNS filtering prevents access to malicious websites and command-and-control servers.
- Network access controls ensure that only compliant and authorised devices can connect to the network.
We’ll delve into some of these in future blogs and podcast episodes.
Network security vendors
Here are just some of the partners we work with that can offer you network protection:
- Acronis: Block access to malicious websites, phishing sites and unwanted content with the URL filtering capabilities.
- ESET: Comprehensive protection with advanced firewalls and intrusion detection systems (IDS).
- Heimdal Security: Intelligent threat prevention and DNS filtering.
- Sophos: Firewalls, encryption solutions, and continuous monitoring tools.
- SonicWall: High-performance firewalls with deep security features.
- Secure Impact: Strategic services including Virtual CISO, SOC Maturity Assessments, and continuous monitoring.
Secure your network and reinforce your defences
Cyber threats evolve. So should your security. Book a free seven layers of security assessment with our cyber team and get tailored recommendations to keep your business safe, agile, and ahead of the curve.
Once you've secured your network, move on to the next layer - application security.
Contact Grey Matter
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Leanne Bevan
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