Network monitoring is an essential element of any business security health. It is a process of identifying, tracking, and mapping a network’s health to gain complete visibility over it. Network monitoring tools help businesses manage their IT environment proactively to mitigate the risk of zero-day vulnerabilities and other cybersecurity threats.
You may be researching the best network monitoring tools for your business to ensure compliance with security protocols and protect your network from potential threats. That’s where we come in with a comprehensive guide to managing your network security.
Let’s discuss network monitoring, its components, and the best available software for maintaining your business's security.
What is Network Monitoring?
Network monitoring is the process of maintaining security protocols for your company’s servers to protect them against cyber threats. It involves monitoring endpoint devices, such as routers, switches, virtual machines, and servers connected to an organization’s network structure, to prevent these devices from installing cyber threats such as Phishing, Trojans, Zero-day attacks, etc.
Let’s understand network monitoring and its role in business from an everyday life example. The network monitoring tool works like a car dashboard. If your companion is not wearing a seatbelt, it warns you to wear the seatbelt. Likewise, it informs the user about the potential risks to maintaining the health and safety of your IT business.
Components of a Good Network Monitoring Tool
If you are looking to buy a network monitoring tool for your IT business, make sure to go for a tool that efficiently provides a secure and reliable network to all your end users. Always look for the below 5 components in a network monitoring tool for your business.
Centralized Network Monitoring:
Make sure all necessary endpoints are connected and visible in your IT network, especially if you are working remotely. The best way to do this is to use a centralized network monitoring tool, which allows you to perform all tasks on one platform.
Automated Management
A network monitoring tool with an automated management system can reduce the risk of human errors and free up your IT team to focus on tasks of higher value.
Detailed Message Logging
A tool that generates, stores, and reports message logging across various systems can help you meet the standard KPIs and other security compliance protocols for better network management.
Configuration Management
A networking tool that offers configuration management to diagnose network issues and monitor your entire IT structure is a must-have for your company. Specifically, if your employees are working remotely, it enables your IT team to maintain computer systems, servers, applications, and other IT components in their desired state.
Network Analytics
Your network monitoring tool should collect and analyse real-time data to improve your network's reliability, security, visibility, and performance. This will save your IT workforce time spent on repetitive tasks.
Let’s explore the 5 best network monitoring tools available for your business. If you want to explore more networking tools and compare the wide range of tools available, hire a report-writing service to craft a detailed report for you according to your specific requirements.
5 Best Network Monitoring Tools for Your Business
1. Auvik
It is a cloud-based network monitoring tool that automates various repetitive tasks, such as documentation and monitoring. IT businesses use this software to manage and troubleshoot the company’s network proactively.
2. Domotz
It is a cloud-based software that helps IT technicians remotely monitor, manage, and troubleshoot networks and connected devices. It offers various solutions with integrated features, such as network configuration management, versioning and backup, network topology map, integrations with PSA, and documentation and ticketing systems to the companies.
3. Zabbix
It is an enterprise-class software that monitors the health and integrity of networks, servers, virtual machines, and applications, among others. It notifies the technical team of any technical issue or vulnerability so they can fix the problem immediately.
4. Nagios XI
IT teams can proactively monitor, detect, and resolve problems by getting notified through SMS, Slack, Emails, or Microsoft Teams. It offers enterprise-grade monitoring, alerts, and analysis of your IT network.
5. PRTG Network Monitor
It is used to monitor local and wide-area networks ( LANs and WANs), servers, websites, apps, and other related systems. It is best for small to medium-sized businesses because of its functionality for only on-site monitoring solutions.
Conclusion
If you are running an IT company, network monitoring is essential for you to protect your business network or server from potential threats like Malware attacks, MITM attacks, or security breaches due to employees' negligence.
To run your operations smoothly, you need a network monitoring tool that allows you to monitor your server virtually and notify you about the threats so that you can rectify them on time. You can select from the above-mentioned tools according to your requirements to maintain the network security protocols of your It firm.