4 Ways To Secure Your Wireless Network

In July 2024, there were over 87 reported security breaches in the business sphere. Are you doing enough to secure your wireless network and protect your valuable data?

Suffering a security breach means losing the trust of your clients and facing the legal ramifications of breaking GDPR compliance. Keep reading for the top four ways to secure your wireless network, protect your business, and earn the trust of your clients.

Encrypt Your Data

Encrypting your data ensures there is always a failsafe. Should your network become compromised and a third party gains access to your data, they won’t be able to use it. 

Encrypted data is scrambled and is only decipherable with a specific key, or ‘cipher’. If the cyber attacker does not have this cipher, then your data will be entirely unreadable for them and thus useless. Encrypting your data ensures an additional layer of protection should your data become compromised.

Change Your Name And Password

You’d be surprised to learn the number of security breaches due to poor password protection. If you’re setting a password for your network, you should ensure it meets the following requirements:

• It is unique - all passwords you use should be unique. If you reuse old passwords, all your assets will be compromised if one account is breached.

• It is strong - a strong password contains different characters and numbers. It isn’t just the same code as the network name. You should create a long, hard-to-guess password to secure your wireless network.

If you think a malicious third party has managed to guess your password, you can always change it. It can be helpful to change the name of your network, too, as this will make it less easily recognized for a second attempt.

Update Your Firmware

Your router comes with built-in firmware that controls device operation. Updating your system’s software can help protect you from cybersecurity threats; the same goes for securing your router. When you update your firmware, you can access new features, bug fixes, and updates that resolve issues present in the previous version. If you don’t update your firmware regularly, there could be gaping vulnerabilities that a cyberattacker could easily take advantage of. Here’s how to update your firmware and enhance your protection:

• Get your router’s IP address - using a command prompt on your computer, type in the command ipconfig to find your IP address. The IP address will allow you to sign in to your router’s control center.

• Sign into your router - once you have your router’s IP address, you can enter the name and password to sign into your router. Unless you have changed the password for your router, you can simply Google the router brand and ‘router password’ to find the standardized password for entering the settings.

• Find the firmware update setting - once you’ve logged into your router, look for a section on the interface that offers a firmware update. This will usually be in the administration section.

• Perform the update - click on it and wait for it to download. Once it’s done, you won’t need to worry about gaps in your cybersecurity strategy.

Don’t Forget Physical Security

No matter how much you invest in your cybersecurity strategy, it’s redundant without a high-grade physical security strategy based around an integrated business security system. You have digital assets stored in your facility that can easily be accessed on foot if your physical security isn’t up to scratch. 

To help you evaluate your physical security protection, here are some of the basic physical security installations for commercial properties:

• Access control - using a keycard, fob, or mobile credential entry system will ensure that only authorized users can enter your building, not malicious third parties.

• Security cameras - without proper surveillance, you won’t be able to investigate security breaches and identify potential suspects. Security cameras also act as a deterrent to prevent intruders from casing out your premises.

• Alarms - intrusion alarms help notify you of any unauthorized access to your property during closing hours, allowing you to call the authorities and prevent a crime.

Summary

Protecting your network is crucial - ensuring your data is secure, and your business won’t be held liable for breaking GDPR compliance. If you follow the best practices above, you can significantly lower your chances of falling victim to a breach in your network. Don’t forget to change your passwords and update your firmware regularly!