Essential Best Practices for Your Small Business Wired and Wireless Network
Reliable networking infrastructure is not a luxury for small businesses. It forms the backbone of operational productivity. Without it, small businesses can easily flounder to find direction in the vast digital landscape of modern business practices. Infrastructure can include wired workstations or wireless devices. All of these provide valuable functionality in today’s world. It is more important than ever to have a well-designed network capable of safeguarding data and providing scalability.
The importance of reliable infrastructure cannot be overstated. It is vital to operate across a reliable digital environment providing speed, security and stability.
Wired and Wireless Connectivity
While Wi-Fi has vastly altered the way modern businesses are able to operate, Ethernet still remains the standard for reliable performance and network security. It provides the ability to operate without the worry of interference from various other wireless devices and maintains a consistent bandwidth. This makes it ideal for vital systems like network storage and desktop devices. When small businesses limit their reliance on Wi-Fi for stationary devices, it reduces wireless traffic congestion. This allows for smoother performance across the network for all devices.
Wired networks should be based on high-quality CAT6 cabling or higher. With this minimum cabling requirement, businesses are assured of operating at Gigabit speeds. They also provide much better shielding and considerably higher bandwidth capabilities. Another consideration for small businesses includes the installation of dual cable runs to offer substantial bandwidth headroom when employing Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 solutions.
Optimizing Wireless Deployment
As with anything associated with IT infrastructure, wireless coverage needs to be planned. Access point overload can lead to poor performance and inefficiency. By strategically installing multiple access points, the load can be properly distributed without hindering performance. This is crucial for those environments with laptops and smartphones.
The physical placement of access points is crucial. They should not be placed in alcoves or near metallic fixtures because they can provide dead zones and high levels of interference. This minimizes performance and can cause connectivity issues.
Securing Wireless Networks
It should be understood that leaving devices to operate using default settings is a security risk. When setting up access points, it is crucial to change the SSID and administrative passwords to unique values. Also, avoid using identifiable SSIDS because these might help potential attackers become aware of the type of network equipment being used. This helps them tailor their attacks and puts your environment at risk.
Every small business should recognize that encryption is the first line of defense. When setting up equipment, use WPA3 where allowed. WPA2, while less robust than WPA3, is still recommended over vulnerable standards like WPS and WEP. Those are older protocols and much easier to exploit.
Never allow guest devices to access internal systems. Instead, provide an isolated guest network utilizing either VLANS or separate SSIDs to achieve this. It helps to limit exposure of internal and mission-critical systems.
IT staff needs to implement a Wireless Intrusion Prevention System (WIPS) to flag malicious endpoint access. With these in place, it can block unauthorized devices and spoofed APs from gaining access to the network infrastructure.
Firewall, Segmentation & Monitoring
A well-planned network architecture is more than just wireless safeguards. It involves an active firewall such as SonicWall or FortiGate that offers superior protection and control.
Your network needs to be divided into segments to provide the best in secure environments. Separating internal workstations and critical systems from guest Wi-Fi and IoT devices will provide greater security and improve performance.
It is important to maintain network monitoring to detect intrusions before they can compromise devices or critical data. By deploying intrusion detection systems (IDS), your organization can be aware of anomalies and trigger timely alerts. This allows the system to address these issues before network disruption or data loss can occur.
Maintenance and User Awareness
A computer network is only as secure as the updates applied. Even the most secure network can be vulnerable if updates haven’t been applied in a timely fashion. This includes updating firmware on routers, switches, APs and endpoints.
Infrastructure stability can be impacted by users too. Inadvertently opening an infected email can impact your digital environment as seriously as an all-out cyberattack. Make sure to provide adequate training for users so they understand the importance of properly handling their passwords and follow organizational protocols.
Invest in Planned Deployment
Computer network management needs to provide the reliability of a wired framework with the flexibility of wireless. By investing in proper cabling and planned Wi-Fi deployment, small businesses can benefit from an enterprise-grade environment.
If you would like assistance building or auditing your wired and wireless infrastructure, reach out to Sound Computers. We can deploy a high-performing network with superior resiliency.
