Imagine walking into a company with beautiful, modern offices. At the entrance, there is a security guard, reinforced doors, and cameras: no one gets in without being checked. But… once inside, you are free to open any door, enter any room, and browse through company documents.
Sounds absurd, right? Yet this is exactly what happens in many companies when it comes to IT security.
Many business owners protect their network only from the outside, by installing a firewall at the internet gateway. But they forget to put security controls inside the network, on individual computers, servers, and devices.
The threat doesn’t always come from outside
When we hear about cyberattacks, we immediately think of a Russian hacker trying to break into our website. But very often, the most serious threats come from inside:
- A curious employee accessing data they shouldn’t see.
- A virus brought in through a USB stick or a colleague’s smartphone.
- A collaborator who accidentally opens an infected email.
When you don’t have protection on every machine, even a small mistake can turn into a major problem. A virus can spread from one computer to another like a fire in a building without fire doors.
A lesson from NASA
Let me tell you a true story.
At the end of the 1990s, NASA (yes, the people with the space rockets) made exactly this mistake: they did not protect every computer with a firewall. They had a barrier at the edge of the network, but inside, all the doors were open.
A group of young Italian hackers, known as the “Reservoir Dogs,” noticed this. They accessed one of the systems connected to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory – where space probes are designed – and from there, they were able to move freely. No one stopped them.
They weren’t spies, and they didn’t want to steal secrets. They just wanted to prove it was possible. And they succeeded. In 2002, after an investigation involving the FBI, Guardia di Finanza, and the Postal Police, the group was arrested. But the damage was done: NASA had exposed its most sensitive systems simply because it had not protected every single machine.
What you can do today
You don’t need to be NASA to suffer damage. All it takes is a fake invoice, a ransomware attack, or a virus that blocks your accounting server on tax deadline day.
Here are three simple tips:
- Install a firewall on every machine: every PC, server, or device connected to the network must have its own protection.
- Train your staff: one distracted person can open the door to an attack without even realizing it.
- Rely on a trusted IT partner: someone who can regularly check that everything is properly protected.
In a world where a virus can arrive via an email, a USB stick, or a phone connected to a PC, you can no longer afford to leave doors open.
Protecting every single device is like putting a lock on every room. Maybe no one will ever try to open it. But if it happens, you’ll be glad it was locked.
And remember: even NASA learned this lesson the hard way. Don’t wait for it to happen to you.
Want to know if your network is really protected?
We offer a free check-up of your IT infrastructure: we analyze your device configurations, identify potential weaknesses, and suggest how to improve security — with no obligation.
Contact us today and secure your company before it’s too late.