Most businesses today rely on WiFi in some way or another. It does not matter whether you run an IT firm, a financial business, a retail clothing store, or any other type of company, it is likely that you use WiFi on a day-to-day basis. A lot of people think it is as simple as installing WiFi and then forgetting about it. This is not the case. There is a lot that needs to be considered; from securing your connection to the health of those working in close proximity to the router. So, with that being said, read on to discover some of the steps you need to take if you have WiFi at your company premises.
Check for rogue access points – The first thing that you need to do is look for rogue access points. These are points that are broadcasting yet they have not been vented properly by IT or they are not secured correctly. An employee could bring in a wireless router from their own house, aiming to fix an issue with low signal. Even worse, someone may set up one so that they could hack your network intentionally, giving them wireless access they could use even in your car park. This can create a massive security hole in your network. This is why you need to make sure that you detect rogue access points and fix them as quickly as you can.
Install a VPN – One of the important steps you need to take is the installation of a VPN. There are both paid and free VPNs available. A VPN can help your business in a number of different ways. However, the main benefit of installing a VPN is that you will be able to hide your IP address and this is going to give you an extra layer of security. However, VPN can also help you in terms of allowing your company to enter websites that may be restricted because of your location. This can help you to run your business more efficiently.
Relinquish older wireless devices – There is no denying that wireless technology is improving all of the time. The earlier standards, such as 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a are a lot slower than the newer ones. Although a lot of the wireless networks today are going to support the older standards, devices that are older can result in slower performance. This not only relates to the device being used but it can actually slow down the entire network. This is because of the compatible measures and protection that the network needs to take in order to support the older device. This is why it is advisable for businesses to replace their older devices with newer ones.
Re-evaluate wireless security – Simply installing a VPN is not going to be enough when it comes to your wireless security. After all, protection measures and security risks are changing with every day that passes by. This is why your WiFi security needs to be re-examined on a continual basis. Start with the basics by making sure you have encryption and at least WPA2 security. If you’re not skilled in this area, it is definitely worth looking into hiring a security team to ensure you do not have any worrying vulnerabilities in your system.
Invest in a WiFi router – Last but not least, a lot of people do not realise the damage that can be caused because of WiFi router radiation. There are a number of different health concerns that are linked to WiFi radiation. This includes cellular changes, fatigue, depression, oxidative stress, changes to the brain waves, and sperm damage. This is not something that is spoken about as much as it should be. However, by simpling investing in a WiFi router guard, you can give everyone peace of mind at your premises. This is simply a metal mesh box, which acts as a cage, blocking the radiation. It is a simple product, yet one that offers great benefits.
So there you have it: some of the steps that you need to follow when you have WiFi at your business. Following the steps that have been mentioned above can give you great peace of mind, as well as ensuring your workforce feels at ease as well. The issues that have been discussed tend to be overlooked by most businesses. However, they really are critical when it comes to making sure that your business is protected on many different levels.
