Managed Internet Security: Could This Be the Right Solution for Your Business?

Managed Internet security is a popular solution for many businesses, and can be surprisingly cost-effective.

For nearly all businesses today, an Internet connection is indispensable. However, an Internet connection opens up your business to all manner of new threats, such as viruses, hackers, bandwidth theft, or inappropriate internet use by insiders. There is a very real need to take steps to safeguard your firm's information security. However, many businesses, especially smaller firms, lack the relevant technical expertise and resources in-house. For them, the right solution will managed internet security, whereby their computer security needs are outsourced to a specialist security firm to be managed on their behalf.

The growth of managed Internet security is a logical extension of the outsourcing of business processes that has been known for many years, such as the outsourcing of the payroll, finance, IT or training functions. However, as a relatively recent development it lacks the high profile available to these other outsourced business processes. This is regrettable, since managed Internet security is a vital development in the on-going fight against computer threats, and can form an essential part of a firm's information risk management strategy.

There are several areas where an organisation's computer security can be outsourced to specialist firms, such as the following core aspects.

Monthly web application scanning services: Regular monthly security scanning of your web applications can be indispensable in identifying vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. The automated scan should ideally be supplemented by a manual review by an experienced tester, as automated tools will not yield all possible data on their own.

Monthly network vulnerability assessments: In a similar way, a monthly review of your network's security can catch problems before hackers find them, so that they can be corrected. This regular scan will complement the less frequent full penetration testing.

PCI Audit: This type of testing is mandatory for all companies licensed under the Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations. It needs to be undertaken regularly by a suitably qualified company. Your company's managed internet security solution can also be complemented by outsourcing your general information security management needs. This can be either on a permanent or a short-term basis, making use of expertise from a specialist computer security firm.

Whatever type of service is selected by your business, you will almost certainly find that it is more cost-effective than developing the same resource in-house, especially in the case of smaller companies that do not have the resources to hire their own specialist staff. The managed Internet security solution is also more flexible, in that it can be discontinued at short notice, or alternatively increased at short notice. It avoids the need to acquire specialised technical software, or to spend time keeping one's technical knowledge up-to-date. For all but the largest companies, therefore, managed Internet security is a clear winner in terms of cost versus benefit, and should be seriously considered by all companies with an Internet connection.

High Jump Secrets - Two Training Tips Could Be The Answer To Your Slump

Video Review...Priceless

Almost half of all cell phones now have a way to record video which gives you no excuse when you want to do some video review of yourself. Have a friend record you taking two jumps. Go back and watch those jumps and correct flaws in your approach, takeoff, and technique.

This will save your hours of time with a coach that is simply trying to tell you what to do instead of letting you see for yourself. If you want to improve quickly, watch yourself jumping...you will be amazed at how you look on film.

If you can, put your movie on a computer so you can slow it down frame by frame and watch each second of your jump at a time, then, find videos of great high jumpers on the internet and compare your form to theirs.

Plyometrics vs. Weights

If you are a beginning high jumper, don't worry so much about weights and power lifting, work on developing a quick, light springiness in your legs through plyometrics. Plyometrics are simply exercises that don't use weights and include things like, lunges, frog hops, bounding, etc. This will do two things for you. First, it will keep your legs fresh for meets. Lifting weights all week long can make your legs so tired that no matter how strong they are getting, they are never fresh for a meet.

Second, it will prevent the risk of injury. Lifting hard can lead to strains and overworking if your body isn't used to it.

If possible, do your plyometrics on grass to cushion your joints and muscles. This will prevent shin splints and will keep you from getting too tired too quick. Mix in some wind sprints to improve explosiveness with your plyometrics. Don't let your coach force you to train with sprinters either. Spring drills are great for long jumpers, but not so for high jumpers.