How to choose security and anti-virus software

Security and anti-virus software are crucial components of your company's IT security strategy, so you have to select them wisely

Security and anti-virus software protects your computers, servers, software and data from viruses, malware, hackers, spyware, dodgy emails and more. It's always working behind the scenes to keep you safe.

The market for security software has exploded in recent years, which makes choosing a suitable solution tricky. You can find free packages, cloud-based solutions and enterprise solutions. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and different price tags.

Each business is unique, but here are some useful tips every business owner of leader can use to help select the most suitable security and anti-virus software.

What are the factors that must be considered when choosing anti-virus software?

Before selecting software, map out your security requirements. This simple process can help you identify the critical elements of your IT system that require protection.

It's an important step because not all security packages are the same, and they don't all perform the same functions. Some up front research can ensure you select the right package with suitable protection.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• What and how many digital devices need protecting? How many computers and servers do you have? Does your company also own mobile devices that need protecting? List all connected devices before you start to make a plan.
• Do you already have any security software? You may be able to save money by using or upgrading an existing package.
• How much IT expertise do you have? Some security packages are easy to set up and maintain. Others require technical knowledge to integrate which can increase costs.
• Do you need to meet any official external standards?For example, if your business accepts card payments, you may may be required to have security software to comply with PCI-DSS regulations. All businesses that process and store personal data need to ensure it’s protected to ensure GDPR compliance.
• What are your future plans? If you intend to expand your business, ensure your security software enables you to add extra users or devices.
• Individual package or enterprise solution? Small businesses may find individual licenses are enough. Larger businesses (more than 5 employees) may want to invest in an enterprise solution with greater control.

The key decisions about your security software

There are two main types of software to choose from:

• Standalone software: Standalone software must be installed and managed on each computer. It's simple enough to download, set up and install, but staff can easily disable the software if they feel it's getting in their way or slowing down their systems. This could increase your risk of being the victim of a digital attack.
• Centralised software and cloud services: Cloud-based security software can easily be installed and configured in one place for any number of users. You purchase a license for the software and ensure that it is installed on each device. Centralised cloud security solutions will give users access to a control panel where you can monitor and manage security protection across your business. The simple dashboard provides peace of mind that everything is protected. You can remotely schedule updates and ensure that all users are running the latest version of anti-virus software.

While security packages may appear to offer similar features, they can provide different levels of protection. To make sure you're buying a capable package, check it's been independently tested by AV-TEST or ICSA Labs.

Before selecting a security package, it might be worth speaking to an independent IT supplier or support company. They can discuss your options and help you to choose a security software platform that's built for your business.

What to check before buying security software

When it comes to selecting a security package, here are some of the questions you should answer before buying:

• Can your systems run the software? Most anti-virus software runs through the cloud, which reduces the load on your computer. However, anti-virus software can be quite demanding and disruptive because it's constantly scanning files in the background. This can cause older computers to slow down or impact productivity, which makes work frustrating.
• Are there any potential clashes with existing software? Security software needs to access all the data on your computer, it can occasionally clash with or block other software. Check the software's website, user reviews or forums for any known issues. Serious issues may require specialist support to fix.
• Can you afford it? A decent security package typically costs £20 - £50 per device per year, which includes ongoing support and updates. Budget for ongoing update costs and cost increases, as well as any additional users you may need to add to the plan. Some providers enable you to pay monthly.

If you have the opportunity and the ability to test out a few security packages you should do so. You can see how the software runs alongside your existing packages and identify any clashes or concerns before investing too much.

Do I need both anti-virus and internet security?

Anti-virus software protects against (you guessed it) viruses and malware that can damage your system. Internet security packages stop phishing attacks, protect against hackers and fake websites.

In the past, you may have needed two packages. Today, almost all security packages provide both anti-virus and internet security protection.

Ensure security software is part of your strategy

It's vital you have security and anti-virus software on all your computers and servers. However, don't let it lull you into a false sense of security.

You and your employees, must remain vigilant to keep your business safe. Make sure you have a robust security plan, IT policies, good staff training and a backup system. Regularly review and refresh policies and plans to stay ahead of the hackers.