Information technology security firm Check Point believes it has a simple solution that could materially improve cyber security for small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) – a category of firms increasingly targeted by cyber criminals.

In fact, South Africa sales manager Doros Hadjizenonos says SMMEs constitutie about half of all reported business attacks, as they typically do not have the security and detection systems deployed by larger companies.

Through its Check Point 600 security box, which is managed through a Web interface, small companies are able to secure their wireless networks. It also protects against cyber attacks, including viruses, spam and malicious websites, Hadjizenonos adds.

SMMEs can use the Web interface to set security at various levels and the 600 model devices also provide setup wizards for users to easily add additional features, such as application control, intrusion prevention and antibot capa- bilities, he says Hadjizenonos.

New virus definitions, new botnet identification and vulnerability patches are provided by Check Point’s global cyber security research teams, he adds.

The 600 model security device costs about R4 000, but can also be deployed as a managed security service, with SMMEs paying a small monthly fee for the device and protection. Internet service providers and Check Point resellers will provide the security as a service option, he says.

“The management system provides weekly reports for companies. This enables companies to identify and understand the scope and scale of threats, and manage their internal IT security policies.”

Check Point provides sales support for these devices and services in Africa from its three regional offices in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria.

“The ease of use and deploy- ment for SMMEs are the main objectives of our 600 model systems. “SMMEs do not have to have dedicated IT security personnel on site, they do not have to outsource their security administration to a third party and can prevent sensitive data from leaving the organisation using this single security box,” he concludes.