THE BOTTOM LINE

Network security represents a substantial challenge for IT managers. Given the numerous threats now directed at desktops and networks -- viruses, spyware, adware, and other malicious code -- and the open nature with which people use computers, it is becoming increasingly important for organizations to deploy best practices in an enforceable way across the enterprise. Given the number and variety of best practices that need to be deployed, IT departments should consider using some of the off-the-shelf security solutions that are available.