Nowadays, IT departments are trying to find out ways to strength their network security with limited budgets. Especially small companies, which have even less budget on network security. It is more important for them to know some tips on how to strength their network security with limited budgets. I would like to share you the top 5 tips offered by Jon-Louis Heimerl.

Tip 1: Share the load
Chances are there are a variety of groups within your organization that have some responsibility for information security. At most kickoff calls, attendees include representatives from several different business units who are all required to provide project support.

Start identifying people now from areas besides the information security group such as audit (yes, audit), IT, human resources and legal to determine if your current initiatives match theirs, and then consolidate. You will need as much leverage as possible to support your needs and requirements, so partner with your internal people to see how they are planning to meet their requirements. See if you can leverage resources to achieve a common goal.

Tip 2: Hire the expertise you need, not what you might want
Many organizations think a one-time cost (aka, buying technology) will solve “the problem.” It is easier to think an internal scanner will resolve an issue because it is a tangible thing. The problem with this way of thinking? Integration, implementation, training and maintenance can be very expensive.
If you don’t have the expertise in-house to support the purchase right out of the box, why not put the decision on hold for one year and hire an external company whose expertise you need, without having to expend capital? At the very least, you can learn from what they do and use that information to better plan a future solution.

Tip 3: Pick the right MSSP
An MSSP should show you a clear path to meeting your business goals and prove that its solutions meet your business requirements and save you money. Any MSSP or other vendor should bring value to the organization. Any proposal should detail methodologies and technical strategies that are suitable for your specific needs.

Don’t tailor your business to meet the MSSP; select an MSSP that can truly meet your needs. Your success will come from having chosen the best solution for your business requirements, which means the solution must show thought leadership (beyond just the latest technology) and a clear road map. This will allow you to focus on your areas of expertise—your business. Outsource what you must, and leverage outside MSSPs and consultants to do what they do best.

Tip 4: Hire a partner, not a vendor
You need to partner with an external company with which you can find solutions that you need now, but also remember to plan for the future. Will you have an internal point of contact with which to work? Are the managers and executives available and involved so you can determine the level of customer service? Pick external companies that can show technical depth—as well as a plan for the future—so that you can ensure that their future plans meet yours.

Tip 5: Invest—yes, invest—in your team’s technology and information security training
Nothing causes disruption like employee turnover. People need to know that they are valued—an acknowledgement that most information systems and security professionals appreciate. So be creatively proactive with a training agenda. Leverage Internet training and local ISSA (Information Systems Security Association) meetings. Create study groups for CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) or other professional services certifications. Conduct internal lunch-and-learns.

Additionally, compare the things listed in your purchasing list all the time. especially under the circumstance of global economic crisis. Compare more, you will find more with less.
So, keep the above tips in mind, you will find it’s not that difficult to strengthen your network security with a smaller budget. Actually it’s no surprise to find your network be secure as the same.