How does Managed Wi-Fi contribute to your security infrastructure?
Security is a top priority for every business. It’s no surprise that 68% of business leaders feel their cybersecurity risks are growing (Accenture). The internet is rife with hackers that are always on the hunt for vulnerabilities, and your wireless network is no exception. So how do you protect yourself? Effective IT security infrastructures have many layers, but wireless protection is arguably one of the most important.
Why a managed wireless service should foster peace of mind:
Some businesses are nervous about outsourcing their managed services to a third party. This reluctance is entirely understandable as it means entrusting your Wi-Fi security to someone other than your in-house team. But actually, a managed Wi-Fi solution can provide all of the necessary features you need to have complete peace of mind to prevent cybercriminals from compromising your company’s data. As talented and diverse as your in-house team’s skills might be, they can’t get across everything; outsourcing this specialism can free up their time for strategic projects and ensure that you have a dedicated service protecting your network.
The tools, the technology and the expertise to protect your wireless network 24/7:
It’s challenging to find an in-house team with up-to-the-minute accreditations and expertise to ensure your wireless infrastructure is as secure and performant as possible. A managed service means you have flexible (and scalable at the point of need) access to experts who have the tools and technology to protect your company’s data from being compromised. You can be confident knowing that a managed Wi-Fi provider will always be on top of new security threats, keeping you up to speed with leading-edge insights and programmes to mitigate risks.
Why it’s vital to protect the gateway to your network:
Wireless networks provide access to the internet across your entire premises, which is excellent for productivity and collaboration, as well as a seamless digital experience for guests and visitors. But it can also open doors to malicious attacks or unwanted connections. A wireless access point provides a gateway to your wired network, so it’s essential to ensure strong encryption on both sides of that connection.
Wireless security relies heavily on rogue detection and prevention because it is easy for someone with bad intentions to set up an AP in range of yours and intercept traffic without being detected by traditional perimeter controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
A managed solution offers enhanced security:
Wireless networks need to be secured and managed like any other network; a proactive and responsive service has the following features and benefits:
Ongoing software updates mitigate new vulnerabilities. Automatic firmware and security updates deployed from the cloud ensure your network is always protected.
Rogue detection helps identify unauthorised wireless devices and ensure only authorised devices are allowed on your wireless network. Isolate and fix issues in minutes with built-in remote troubleshooting tools.
PCI and BYOD Compliance: Securing business communications, personal information, financial transactions, and mobile devices require monitoring application or end-user data usage. Wireless security effectively protects all of your sensitive transactions and safeguards your organisation’s reputation. Furthermore, cloud management platforms can ensure threat signatures and vulnerability signatures are automatically updated, keeping all your data safe.
Mobile Device Management (MDM) allows only authorised devices on the Wireless Network, provides over-the-air email and application updates, and provisions applications or settings. Wireless access points can also block certain types of traffic, such as peer-to-peer (PTP) file-sharing programs and instant messaging services that may not meet your corporate security policies or SLAs.
Real-time visibility – the right managed Wi-Fi Solution enables real-time visibility into the health of your entire Wireless network, and it also provides alerts on any significant events or issues impacting network performance, including security-related matters.
There is a myriad of benefits beyond security concerns in favour of using a managed wireless solution. For example, the latest technologies that deliver overall productivity like traffic shaping policies prioritising critical apps and services over high bandwidth recreational apps and powerful location analytics that reveal trends and engagement.
Wireless security is a vital part of protecting your network and your sensitive data. Understanding the dangers you face is essential, but it can be quite an undertaking if you don’t have the capacity or expertise in-house. If you want to limit risk and stay focused on what matters most for your business, get in touch today to find out how we can help you stay protected.