Five Reasons Why Enabling a Separate Guest WiFi Network is Vital for Business Cybersecurity

In today’s digital age, the internet is an indispensable part of our lives. It has brought about significant advancements in the way we interact, work, and communicate with each other. For businesses, the internet has become a crucial tool for conducting day-to-day operations, such as processing transactions, managing inventory, and communicating with customers. However, as our dependency on the internet grows, there are also growing concerns about cybersecurity threats, which can put businesses at risk. One way that businesses can mitigate these risks is by enabling a separate guest WiFi network. We are looking at why businesses should enable a separate guest WiFi network and offering some tips on how to do it effectively and securely.

1. Protect sensitive data

Businesses deal with a lot of sensitive information, such as customer data, financial records, and intellectual property. Allowing guests to access the same WiFi network as employees can increase the risk of data breaches. A separate guest WiFi network can prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information and keep business data secure.

2. Reduce the risk of cyber attacks

Hackers often target WiFi networks to gain access to company data. A separate guest WiFi network can reduce the risk of cyber attacks by segregating guest traffic from internal traffic, making it harder for hackers to access company data.

3. Improve network performance

A separate guest WiFi network can improve network performance by dedicating bandwidth to guests. This can prevent guests from slowing down the network for employees and ensure that everyone has a reliable connection.

4. Create a better guest experience

Providing guests with their own WiFi network can create a better guest experience. It can make it easier for guests to connect to the internet, improve their browsing experience, and give them a sense of privacy.

5. Control access to company resources

A separate guest WiFi network can help businesses control access to company resources. Businesses can set up guest WiFi networks that only allow guests to access the internet, while preventing them from accessing internal resources such as printers, servers, and other devices.

Tips for enabling a separate guest WiFi network

1. Use a different SSID

Using a different SSID for the guest network can make it easier for guests to identify and connect to the network. It can also prevent confusion between the guest network and the internal network.

2. Use a different IP range

Using a different IP range for the guest network can prevent guests from accessing internal resources such as printers, servers, and other devices.

3. Implement access controls

Implementing access controls can ensure that guests can only access the internet and prevent them from accessing internal resources. This can be achieved by configuring the guest network to only allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic.

4. Use encryption

Using encryption can protect guest traffic from eavesdropping and interception. Businesses can use WPA2 encryption to ensure that guest traffic is encrypted and secure.

5. Monitor network activity

Monitoring network activity can help businesses identify and respond to potential security threats. Businesses can use network monitoring tools to keep track of guest traffic and ensure that it is not posing a threat to the internal network.

Benefits for your business

Enabling a separate guest WiFi network offers numerous benefits to businesses, including protecting sensitive data, reducing the risk of cyber attacks, improving network performance, creating a better guest experience, and controlling access to company resources. 

By following the tips outlined above, you can enable a separate guest WiFi network effectively and securely. If you’d like assistance with your guest WiFi network set up, please don’t hestiate to get in touch or call us on 020 3369 0669.