Introduction to Network Monitoring and Apt IBM Solutions

Network Monitoring

Network monitoring must be on any checklist of essential basics for a business to look after. The question isn’t about network quality monitoring viability (because it is strongly recommended) but more about how network monitoring tools function and which to choose.

Network Monitoring: Basic Terms

Network monitoring is the process of checking a computer network for any deviations. Current computer networks represent a core structure of any company as they connect devices, servers, and other components to organize an adequate workflow and seamless customer service. Even a short network outage may cost a company a fortune.    

Network monitoring systems notify network administrators in case of the occurrence of any suspicious or troublesome events or processes. Then they analyze the data to further eliminate any risks and optimize the data. Network monitoring tools serve to ensure a network’s optimal functioning and provide network administrators with a chance to react much faster. Otherwise, bottlenecks, efficiency lacks and other deficiencies can result in considerable losses. 

Network monitoring is a constituent of network management. Best network monitoring practices include disk monitoring, availability monitoring, networking hardware, and interface monitoring.

Network Quality Monitoring Systems

The network monitoring system comprises hardware and software network monitoring tools focusing on all networking components, especially on critical constituents - routers, switches, servers, firewalls, etc. Network administrators get information from the tools about any failures in traffic, uptime, etc., to react fast and appropriately. The systems develop prompt alerts as well as regular network analytics reports.

Network availability, disk usage, CPU utilization, response time, and uptime belong to key parameters for network monitoring systems.  

Network Monitoring Interval

Network quality monitoring interval is an important value as it takes the excessive burden off non-critical network components and prioritizes the most critical directions. Network administrators can set different monitoring intervals for different network components, starting from continuous, one-minute to other measurements administrators find appropriate.         

Network Monitoring Protocols

Network monitoring protocols convey the rules of interaction among network components. The most common types of network monitoring protocols include SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol).

Network Monitoring Key Benefits  

Visibility. Network monitoring tools provide network administrators with clear, necessary information from all network components to prevent or eliminate risks promptly. Even the most complex network systems are safe under such care. 

Cost Efficiency. Network monitoring can prevent outages costing much. Moreover, it contributes to better, more effective mission distribution due to increased automation.

Speed. Network quality monitoring guarantees faster threat detection, resulting in a more immediate response and much more chances to keep cyber safe.

Top Network Monitoring with IBM

MBS Techservices would like to introduce a champion among network monitoring tools that has shown amazing results - IBM QRadar.

IBM QRadar is a state-of-the-art network monitoring solution combining IBM’s tremendous experience with the most up-to-date approaches to threat detection and analytics. It ensures clear visibility, real-time monitoring, and advanced analytical capabilities. QRadar is a modern self-managing platform constantly analyzing large amounts of data from multiple sources - cloud, on-prem, hybrid - in search of any cyber threats.  

The network monitoring tool is versatile and features high integrative capabilities. The functions it performs include: 

  • SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) - smart threat detection and prioritization, 
  • risk and vulnerability management - search for security vulnerabilities and most effective ways to mitigate risks, compliance check,
  • log management - collecting, analyzing, storing, and reporting on network security log events, 
  • user behaviour analytics - search for insider threats and other user-based cyber security issues. 
  • incident forensics - building the whole picture of cybercrime to investigate it faster.

As the experience of prominent hi-tech and cyber security companies, including ours, shows, IBM QRadar is among the best network monitoring solutions to serve business sectors. Its benefits of easy deployment, advanced analytics, superb scalability, stable results, and more make our clients loyal fans of this IBM solution.

To learn more about the IBM QRadar network monitoring solution, reach out to us to request the product demo and more.

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