8 SMART STRATEGIES FOR WI-FI SECURITY

Without our wireless networks, most business would come to a screeching halt. We rely on Wi-Fi connectivity to power connections for computers, mobile devices, printers, and IoT devices.

When so much data is being transmitted through a wireless network, security becomes paramount. If your Wi-Fi isn’t properly secured, it leaves the door open for a hacker to get in, intercept data and potentially make their way into devices on the network.

With today’s more complex business networks, delivering fast and stable internet while also keeping a Wi-Fi secure can be challenging. Wireless routers are a common attack point for hackers.

In the first half of 2019, attacks on routers and other IoT devices tripled.

How can you ensure that your business network, and the devices using it, stay protected?

We have important strategies below for Wi-Fi security.

METHODS FOR PROTECTING YOUR WIRELESS CONNECTIONS

Just like device security, Wi-Fi security means taking a multi-layered approach that can ensure multiple attack vectors are secured.

USE A ROUTER DESIGNED FOR BUSINESS SECURITY NEEDS

One of the most obvious layers in Wi-Fi security is to ensure you’re using a router designed for business use. If you use a consumer router instead of using a business router, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable with less security and performance designed for residential, not company use.

Residential routers also aren’t designed to match the types of standards needed for data privacy compliance (PCI, HIPAA, etc.).

USE BUSINESS-GRADE ACCESS POINTS WITH AUTOMATED UPDATES

Keeping your wireless network hardware updated with the latest security patches is a key part of cybersecurity best practices. But, if you have older equipment that doesn’t have automated capability, you could be left with updates that are never applied.

We use business-grade access points that allow updates to be automated, and also allow monitoring of the network. This ensures that there are no found vulnerabilities that may have been left unpatched for hackers to breach.

LOCK DOWN NETWORKS USING VLANS

A VLAN is a virtual local area network. They’ve been replacing cable based LANS because they offer more versatility and the capability to provide similar protection, but wirelessly.

VLANS connect a collection of devices or network nodes, allowing them to all communicate within a secure network. This allows businesses to keep more sensitive information cut off from those outside your VLAN, ensuring better security.

Some of the benefits of VLANS include:

• MORE EFFICIENT DATA HANDLING THAN LANS
• WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY
• COST-EFFICIENT, BECAUSE WORKSTATIONS ON THE VLAN DON’T REQUIRE ROUTERS
• EASIER ADMINISTRATION
• ADDS SECURITY TO A WIRELESS NETWORK

SET UP PUBLIC AND PRIVATE NETWORKS

Having your employees on the same Wi-Fi network as your guests is just asking for a security problem. When guests are using your Wi-Fi, you have no control over how secure or insecure their connected device may be.

It’s good security practice to set up separate Wi-Fi networks for each. A private wireless network for your employees to use and a public wireless network for guests to use when they need to get online.

SECURE YOUR WIRELESS ACCESS POINT INFORMATION

When initially setting up your wireless router and access points, you want to use router best practices, which may seem basic, but are an important part of network protection. You may be surprised how many businesses don’t take these key steps.

• CHANGE THE MANUFACTURER’S DEFAULT USERNAME & PASSWORD
• DON’T USE PERSONAL INFORMATION IN THE THE SSID (NETWORK NAME)
• TURN OFF ANY ADDITIONAL FEATURES YOU’RE NOT USING

USE A STRONG FIREWALL

You want to ensure you’re using a strong firewall with your wireless network to monitor ingoing and outgoing traffic, look for suspicious behavior, and automate responses.

Firewalls with advanced threat protection can allow you to set up certain protocols for any suspicious network intrusions that will block them in real-time and report back to you about network health and security.

ELIMINATE ROGUE ACCESS POINTS (APS)

Someone may create a rogue AP on your network innocently enough, for example if they’re having a hard time getting a connection from a certain area of the building. But if left unchecked, these can be used as a point of entry by hackers.

It’s a good idea to do access point scanning on you network occasionally so you can detect any rogue access points and close them down.

ENSURE WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS ARE PHYSICALLY SECURED

Are your access points easily reached by anyone coming into your office? It’s a good idea to physically secure wireless routers and access points by either mounting them out of reach or using security cameras near them.

This ensures they’re not tampered with either accidentally or maliciously.

WORK WITH UNBOUND DIGITAL FOR FAST, SAFE & SECURE WI-FI

Whether you have an indoor or outdoor Wi-Fi, Unbound Digital can help your Tennessee business with solutions that will include security, speed, and scalability.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Call 423-335-2461 or reach us online.