IT people talk about "layer 7" or "layer 2" attacks. The OSI model is simply a way of splitting a network into seven layers, from the cables in the wall up to the apps on your screen. Attacks happen at every layer, which is why one security product is never enough.
What this means in practice
- The top layers (5 to 7) are where most small-business attacks start: phishing emails, stolen passwords and flaws in web apps. Multi-factor authentication, email filtering and regular testing matter most here.
- The middle layers (3 and 4) are your firewall's job: blocking scans and floods, and keeping parts of the network separate.
- The bottom layers (1 and 2) are about the office itself: guest Wi-Fi kept apart from business systems, locked network cabinets and encrypted laptops in case one is stolen.
Good security covers every layer without making work harder. Book an assessment and we'll show you where your gaps are.