By Tom K
I don’t recommend that you provide wireless access to your Business Systems… unless there is a definite business requirement and no other alternatives.
But if you REALLY NEED to provide wireless access to your Business Network, in this month’s newsletter I discuss potential pitfalls and Best Practices you should consider when you deploy wireless access to your Business Network.
I am, however, a big fan of setting up public wireless Hot Spots within your facilities to provide open Internet access to guests and to staff with personal smart phones and tablets. I have discussed this in detail in my newsletter, “Securely Implement a Public WIFI Hot Spot”.
The Pitfalls
Wireless is inherently unsecure.
Sure, you can (and should) use encryption and use a secure password within the Private Wireless Network. But anyone who has the wireless Key (password) can knock on the door of your business resources anytime, from inside the building, in the parking lot, or across the street. As a business owner, this definitely concerns me.
There is an App for that.
The wireless threat is no longer just laptops. You can get apps for tablets and smart phones that will allow you to work within a network environment. If my tablet can see the wireless business network, I’m one password away from being in a position to use my apps to access your company jewels. If I’m hanging out in the parking lot, or next door, my tools have all the time in the world to try to break in. Tablets and smartphones are inconspicuous, they are everywhere, and there are millions of them.
No Firewall.
When you provide wireless access to your business systems, access is direct… Just like from your wired PCs. All access occurs inside the firewall, so the firewall can’t offer any protection.
Best Practices
If you really need to provide wireless access to your Business Network, Read More…
About Tom K
Tom K, has been a senior level Business and IT Consultant providing exceptional solutions to business leaders for more than 26 years. His last eight years have been focused on the Vacation Rental and Real Estate industry. He has built strong relationships with all the major systems and services providers in our industry, regularly working with their principals and most senior personnel.
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