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Is a Wireless Network Safe for Your Business?

Securing Your Network

Businesses looking to expand WLAN adoption beyond the small department or remote branch office need to consider such products in order to appropriately safeguard their networks and corporate data. However, just like with traditional high-end networking equipment, implementing security and network management capabilities in a WLAN environment can go well beyond the technology capabilities of many SMBs, and can put a burden on those with limited IT resources.
 
“Spend some extra money and time and hire someone that knows the wireless area and can set it up properly and manage it like any other network,” says David Strom, an independent networking consultant in St. Louis. “There can be more management issues associated with wireless and companies need to be aware of that.”

At a basic level, companies need to enforce the security capabilities built into most WLANs, the most current and robust protocol being WPA2 (Wifi Protected Access), which delivers both encryption and authentication capabilities to the network. Firewalls and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are another requisite for enterprise-class security, both on the server side as well as personal firewalls installed on every client. Putting a policy in place that enforces these security steps can ensure that individual departments bring WLANs into the network fold in the proper manner.

Beyond this foundation, companies can also add multiple security layers, including intrusion protection systems and Unified Threat Management (UTM) products, which provide anti-spam, anti-spyware, anti-virus support with firewall and VPN technology for a turn-key solution that covers all forms of network access, both wireless and wired. The other component of WLAN security is creating and enforcing policies, and adopting the technology that will provide this same of level of protection against session hacking, denial-of-service attacks, and other breaches for mobile workers accessing WLANs outside of the enterprise.

Addressing the mobility challenge and building out WLAN security as a multi-layered architecture are some of the areas where an outside IT consultant can help. Managed WLAN services are another option, particularly for firms struggling with protecting mobile workers. “Wireless ups the ante considerably,” notes Strom. “You have to know what you're doing to lock down at right places and give people the tools to make sure data is not lost. Wireless is easier to put in, but there are a lot more implications.”

About the Author:
Beth Stackpole writes for IT Consulting, a news and information publication covering all aspects of the Consulting marketplace for business. The site provides original content covering CRM, ERP, Human Resources, Microsoft, and more to help business buyers find the right solutions for their needs. It is rapidly building a unique, high-quality community of business users and vendors. (Original article: http://www.itconsulting.com/features/iwlan-security-business-011607/)



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