Businesses in our region are steadily implementing wireless networks over the last several years, and more companies will take the plunge into wireless networking over the course of 2006. When you implement the wireless network, your employees will be able to perform their jobs better and more productive. In virtually every business, there’s the possibility of using wireless networks to be more competitive in the market.
Many companies have set up WAPs or wireless connection points (WAPs) to reap various benefits however my experience has revealed that a small percentage of organizations are aware of the importance of properly protecting their wireless networks. If an attacker is able to gain access to your network wirelessly then they’re inside your firewall, which means there’s no protection for you. It’s not unusual to discover unsecure networks within our region. I often find access points which are not in compliance with current security standards. When you factor in the many unconfigured WAPs, it is clear the region is in need of plenty of potential for improvement Wireless site survey companies near me.
In assessing your requirements in wireless security consider these four questions: What is the value of your data and how secure is it? What laws is your business legally bound to comply with regarding privacy of data? What is the amount of traffic that passes through your office? Are there potential target areas near you? The majority of the time, a business’s wireless security policy can be compared to not having an entryway to your home. Anyone who passes by may observe your belongings and enter to steal anything they like.
I will not go into the technical details of the ways wireless networks are targeted and the techniques used to ensure their security However, I can provide an explanation of all three safety standards, and the way they compare with each other , to provide you with an understanding of where you are. Simply compare the information on the access point’s screen or its box of origin or on the manufacturer’s site to see the capabilities of your wireless access point. of.
The very first security standard that was developed for wireless access points is called WEP (wired equivalent privacy). Weaker WAPs and older administrators of networks will use this method to protect the wireless network. Pre-shared keys are the most effective defense against WEP. Many people do not alter the WEP key often, this is similar to having the identical password for every user in your organization. WEP is easily hacked by a hacker who is inexperienced with simple tools, which makes it a dangerous security choice. If the access device you have is older than two years-old, it most likely has WEP installed and needs to be replaced right away. In the same way as the front door analogy WEP is essentially locking your screen door and giving everyone who comes to your home an access key. The door is easily accessible to anyone as a lot of people are equipped with keys to unlock the lock and an intruder can make a hole in the screen and open the door from inside.
To deal with the issues that come with WEP to address the issues with WEP, the wireless industry has developed the standard known as WPA (Wi-Fi Secured Access). WPA demands the use of passwords (long passwords) and an individual encryption key, which often changes. Additional technological advancements were made to increase security, too. WPA was created to be backward compatibility to WEP cards for access, which gives administrators an inexpensive upgrade option to improve security. WPA is similar to the installation of a solid front door to your home, and locking the doorknob. The intruders aren’t able to enter and it’s much more difficult for them gain access to your home.
WPA hasn’t been hackable, but it’s the case of. To combat this, the wireless industry has recently announced its WPA2 (Wi-Fi Secured Access 2) standard, often referred to as 802.11i. WPA2 enhances WPA by integrating authentication of users through a server and employing more secure encryption. Windows XP just began supporting WPA2 in May. When properly configured, the WPA2 network is compliant with US Government security standards, which makes them essential for businesses that are regulated in the financial and medical sectors. WPA2 security is similar to using the deadbolt at your door, and an intercom to confirm the identity of the person who comes in before letting them in.
If you’re about to buy an access point that is new is it compatible with it with the WPA2 standard. If you have make use of a wireless access point that uses WEP and WPA standards There are ways to create an even more secure network. Making the most of the weakest technology can be better than not being able to make use of a new. For more specific details on how to secure your network I’m available and we’ll develop an effective security plan that will fit your particular requirements.