Wireless access isn’t a luxury, but a necessity.
In this modern world of wireless electronic devices – laptops, phones, tablets and gaming consoles – having Internet access is a must. Being portable has become an essential part of our lifestyles and it’s key for businesses to meet the demands of the wireless lifestyle.
But becoming wireless for many businesses is easier said than done. There are serious considerations for a company to make when setting up a wireless network, especially if those businesses want a network to respond quickly to a plethora of users and now have things really s l o w d o w n s o m u c h y o u c a n t g e t a n y t h i n g d o n e. With that in mind, it’s important for a business to set up a network that is fast enough for the increased demand, but also one that is secure for users to log onto without concern.
There are a number of priorities to consider when setting up a secure Wi-Fi network at your business, including using business-grade access points that are designed for heavy use from multiple users at all hours of the day, including peak business times. When incorporating a larger number of access points, it’s important to remember how many wireless devices each employee uses in order to ensure you have the best access available for your employees or on-site clients.
Another consideration to make is selecting a proper frequency grade. Tech news site CIO notes there are two frequency bands “designed for 802.11 Wi-Fi networks: 2.4GHz and 5GHz.” A business will have to decide which frequency best supports its internal and external interests, particularly when taking personal wireless devices such as smart phones and tablets into consideration.
“With a large install base in most homes and business, wireless has become mainstay by which individuals access the data they need. Users have grown to expect wireless connectivity wherever they go. It has become so ubiquitous that many forget the potential pitfalls such connectivity presents,” said Chance Ellis, eResource’s director of systems engineering.
In this crazy world of identity theft and cyber-crimes, it’s also important to utilize strict security protocols when it comes to setting up a Wi-Fi network. Computer Weekly noted that a wireless network can be a problem for security-conscious IT workers primarily due to personal devices owned by employees. The publication said malware on those devices can get into the Wi-Fi system and cause issues for a company and its users.
Many of the new Wi-Fi systems that are most adequate include things like the ability to identify unauthorized users, defend against things like spoofing attacks. Other security forms that need to be considered when setting up a strong Wi-Fi network need to include security event management and reporting abilities. Another key is the establishment of Service Set Identifier, which is the network name that users see when connecting to a wireless network.
“Businesses need to have a comprehensive wireless security plan that protects them from unauthorized access and use. Unauthorized access can put business critical information at risk. Unauthorized use can make a business responsible for any malicious activity performed simply by providing the mechanism for the activity to occur,” Ellis said.
