E-Mail Protection

Your E-mail systems are one of your most critical business tools and must be protected against viruses, SPAM, Denial of Service Attacks (DoS) and data loss.

A comprehensive mutli-layered approach must be taken to protect your mail servers. And Archer Solutions brings years of experience and training to the task. It has been said that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, and it is rarely more true than it is for your email systems.

Proper configuration of your mail server is the first step toward protection. Particularly with Exchange, there are an enormous number of exploits and vulnerabilities. With proper administration, however, these can be addressed. Security Updates, Patches and proper best practices configuration are essential to protecting your mail systems.

Firewalls are essential, but many companies lull themselves into a false sense of security by thinking that simply having one is enough. It is not, since firewalls do not analyze email content.

Anti-Virus Software specifically designed for email servers is also a must. Virus definitions and software subscriptions must be kept up to date and updated on an almost daily basis. Moreover, with the common usage of personal 3rd party web based e-mail, users can completely circumvent the company mail systems protections, requiring client side email protection as well. However, even with all these tools in place, protection is not guaranteed. Anti-Virus vendors cannot always update their definition files in time against fast spreading viruses and worms. (Such as MyDoom, NetSky.B an others)

A Content Gateway is also highly advised. This technology checks e-mail content, detects exploits, and provides a front line of defense for your mail servers. It also can function as a 'circuit breaker' in front of your mail server to protect against DoS attacks which would otherwise cripple a mail server under a flood of junk e-mail.

Effective backup and restoral is perhaps the most critical means of e-mail protection. A backup solution specifically designed to backup mail servers and information stores is required to recover from any problems. Far more often than viruses, DoS attacks or outside threats, the most common cause of email data loss is simple user error. A daily backup at a minimum should be in place and tested regularly to protect your business assets.

Archer Solutions, Inc can manage, advise or provide a complete outsource solution for your email systems.