John Crichton, Logic Network Solutions

John Crichton holds several business computing certifications including “Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer,” “Microsoft Certified Database Administrator,” and “Cisco Certified Network Associate.” With over ten years of networking experience, including seven years working with businesses in the Peoria area, John has the experience, expertise and credentials required to assist your business in navigating its computing and technology obstacles.

Logic Network Solutions provides professional on-site computer service customized for your business. For more information, visit www.logicns.com

I’m concerned about the security of my network. Our computer system holds important and confidential information about our business and clients. How do I protect our data from prying eyes?

Hackers are everywhere on the Internet, and protecting your system can quickly become a complicated matter. It is important to have a properly configured firewall, antivirus, and set of policies in place to protect your valuable business network, along with other security measures tailored to fit the way that your network is utilized. Constructing a system to properly secure your valuable business network requires careful planning, implementation, and employee involvement.

I need to make sure that if something happens to our computer system, such as a hard drive crash, that our important data will not be lost. What is the best way to ensure that our important business files and email will still be here tomorrow?

Making a backup of your files is the single most important action that you can take to ensure that the documents that you create for your business will be there when you need them. How to back up your data is usually a question of the total size of the data that requires backing up and the systems utilized on your network. Several options are available including tape and online backup. Choosing the correct backup method and frequency is critical in ensuring the longevity of your vital business data.

Working at home during nights and weekends, and on business trips, would increase my productivity and save me a ton of time. What do I need to do to be able to work while out of the office?

The ability to work remotely is one of the wonderful functions that computers systems can offer us today. Working while out of the office may be as simple as utilizing a “web mail” system to obtain email, or may require a system which allows access to programs and files. To gain access to programs and files, a VPN (or Virtual Private Network) is typically utilized to provide a secure means to access your business network. Additionally, it may be necessary to establish a remote desktop (or Terminal Services) session over the VPN connection to make use of certain programs. Proper configuration of your remote system will provide a method of access which is easy to use, provides access to the required programs, is secure, and is fast and efficient.

Got a question? Ask the Experts!

Experts Online is a general information source only. Always consult a professional about your particular situation before following the advice given here. WEEK-TV and Granite Broadcasting Corporation take no responsibility for the opinions expressed here nor do they represent the opinions of WEEK-TV and Granite Broadcasting. Experts have paid a promotional fee.