Managed Cybersecurity: How Cisco Meraki Can Help Improve Network Security

Now more than ever, businesses of all sizes are at risk of cyberattacks, as cybercriminals are constantly developing new and sophisticated ways to exploit network vulnerabilities. Businesses looking to navigate this dangerous landscape must adopt better cybersecurity measures. One of the most effective strategies in this battle against cyber threats is managed cybersecurity.

Keep reading to explore the importance of managed cybersecurity and the role of Cisco Meraki’s ecosystem in enhancing network security.

Modern computer monitor with the word “security” on the screen.

Cybersecurity and the Threat Landscape

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. As the cybersecurity landscape constantly evolves, new and sophisticated threats have emerged in recent years. For instance, research shows there was a 7% increase in global cyber attacks during the first quarter of 2023 alone, highlighting the urgency for businesses to fortify their digital defenses.

The move towards a digital world has led to different kinds of online dangers. Some of these threats include malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, and DDoS attacks. These threats can cause serious harm, like losing you money or damaging your reputation. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are especially at risk because they often don’t have enough resources or specialized knowledge to effectively protect themselves from these cyber attacks.

Importance of Managed Cybersecurity

Cyber attacks are omnipresent, and the chances of your business being subject to one are high. A 2023 report states that around 68% of businesses have experienced a cyber threat in the past 12 months. This alarming statistic shows the need for a comprehensive and strategic security approach like managed cybersecurity. Managed cybersecurity is a proactive approach that involves entrusting the management and oversight of security protocols to specialized professionals.

Unlike traditional cybersecurity measures, this approach can help businesses of all sizes improve their cybersecurity posture. That’s because it doesn’t depend on reactive strategies but on prevention, detection, and response. As a result, your company can reap numerous benefits, including:

Cost-Effectiveness: Investing in in-house cybersecurity resources can be a significant financial burden, especially for SMBs. Managed cybersecurity provides cost-effective access to top-tier security tools and expertise, ensuring your business remains secure without breaking the bank.
24/7 Vigilance: Managed cybersecurity providers offer round-the-clock monitoring of your digital assets. This can help detect and address threats earlier, reducing the risk of data breaches and downtime.
Expertise at Your Service: Any service providers should bring dedicated experts to your corner. These professionals will know the latest threat trends and can implement the most effective security measures according to best practices before an attack arrives.
Compliance: Many industries have strict regulations regarding data security and privacy. A managed service provider understands these regulations, so they can help your business avoid potential legal issues and fines.
Proactive Defense: The managed cybersecurity approach proactively seeks out vulnerabilities, allowing for their mitigation before they escalate into major threats, rather than reacting to them after they’ve already occurred.
Enhanced Network Performance: Cybersecurity isn’t just about defense; it also needs to consider your network’s performance. By implementing cybersecurity in an optimal way and identifying and addressing inefficiencies managed cybersecurity can help enhance your network’s speed and reliability.

The Cisco Meraki Ecosystem

Cisco Meraki is a cloud-based networking and security platform that helps businesses improve their network security and performance. It has different kinds of devices, such as Wi-Fi access points, firewalls, switches, security tools, even cameras. With Meraki, businesses can have all these devices controlled using just one online dashboard. This makes it easier to deploy, configure, and monitor your networks from anywhere in the world.

The Meraki ecosystem includes a variety of products and features that can help you improve network security, including:

Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDS/IPS): Meraki IDS/IPS helps protect networks from a wide range of threats, including malware, viruses, and Trojans.
Web Application Firewall (WAF): The WAF secures your networks from web-based attacks, such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection.
Content Filtering: The content filtering system allows your business to block access to inappropriate or malicious websites that harm your network and waste your resources.
Antivirus and Anti-Malware Protection: This feature provides an extra level of security from malware infections and other known viruses.
VPN: Meraki VPN allows your business to create secure tunnels between your internal networks and remote users.
Security Analytics and Reporting: This gives your team visibility into your network security posture at a glance to identify and respond to threats quickly.

Small cubes travel through blue lines to a white cube as a depiction of data reaching a network.

The Meraki Advantage in Network Security

Cisco Meraki’s ecosystem stands out as a symbol of security in the ever-changing digital landscape. Its innovative solutions can help you address a variety of challenges. Here are some of its key advantages:

Unified Management
Your business can have all its network devices managed through a unified, cloud-based dashboard with Meraki. This centralized approach simplifies network management, allowing monitoring and configuration of the entire network infrastructure from anywhere in the world. The intuitive interface ensures that businesses, regardless of their size or technical expertise, can have their network security settings efficiently managed.
Enhanced Visibility and Control
The Cisco Meraki ecosystem provides real-time visibility into network traffic, enabling your administrators to identify potential threats and take proactive measures. This visibility allows for granular control over network access, ensuring that only authorized devices and users can connect.
Automated Threat Mitigation
Meraki’s advanced security features, such as IDS/IPS, content filtering, and WAF, are constantly updated to defend against evolving threats. These features work in tandem to automatically detect and block malicious traffic, safeguarding your networks from even the most sophisticated attacks.
Scalability and Agility
The Meraki ecosystem is highly scalable and agile, making it ideal for businesses with fluctuating demands or a focus on growth. Meraki devices can easily be deployed and configured to meet your specific business needs. Additionally, the cloud-based management platform allows you to scale the networks up or down quickly even at a distance.
Continuous Updates and Patches
Cisco takes the security of its ecosystem seriously. They regularly release firmware and security updates to protect devices against the latest threats. These updates are pushed automatically to all devices within the Meraki ecosystem. This reduces the vulnerability to human error from your IT team, as you are no longer reliant on them updating each device manually.

If you are looking for a way to improve your network security and performance, Cisco Meraki is a great option. You can partner with a managed cybersecurity solution provider like Keeran Networks to know the right tools to use. Our experienced team can conduct IT and network security assessments to understand your cybersecurity needs. We will then recommend the most suitable Cisco Meraki products and features tailored to enhance your network security posture. Contact us today to learn more!