Outbound connections should be as secure as inbound

Companies should make outbound internet connections as secure as inbound connections, according to security services firm Network Box.

Information leaving networks should be as securely managed as inbound information, the company said.

This will have little or not impact on end users, but will significantly increase the strength of security, said Network Box.

In recent months, Network Box has seen a large increase in requests for help blocking applications such as Skype or MSN.

Many application blocking techniques can be circumvented using ‘tunnelling’ software or by searching through all available ports until an open port is found.

Blocking all outbound connections except those connected to secure proxies will ensure that employee internet access fully complies with company policy.

It also ensures that blocks on applications cannot be sidestepped, Network Box said.

Simon Heron, Network Box security analyst, said: “Many companies still use a legacy approach of blocking all inbound ports except those known to be secure, but not applying the same to outbound.

“These days, companies are much more concerned with security breaches resulting from within the organisation.

“There are so many more applications we all use to connect from our PCs.

“Applications such as Skype and IM can be useful business tools, but only if they are used within the framework of a company’s overall security policy.”