There’s a push to get everything connected. This push is evident in how many devices, including smart televisions, security systems, sensors, and printers, are connected to the internet in the average office environment today. Wi-Fi security has to be a concern, as these devices can unwittingly become ports of entry for hackers.
If you’re currently undertaking an Internet of things (IoT) initiative, the success of that project weighs heavily on network operations and cyber security strategies. Because there are a great many network options available, the situation can become fairly complicated. In some instances, Wi-Fi is not the best option for IoT initiatives due to its limited range. Fortunately, there are some evolutionary changes underway that can address compatibility.
Wi-Fi Advancements
Unlike hardwired internet connections, Wi-Fi extends beyond the confines of a particular office’s boundaries, which means there are security measures built in to it. As more and more employees began bringing their own devices to work, new ways of improving Wi-Fi security were adopted. Now, as IoT becomes a more pervasive issue, the experts are stepping up to make environments even more secure.
For example, there is a push to identify and isolate individual IoT devices so they can be accounted for within the network as a whole. This is a measure to help improve safety, because the more awareness you have about what’s connected and where, the fewer breaches you’re going to encounter.
Another example of these advancements is the adoption of private pre-shared key technology, which reduces complexities while enabling secure onboarding of IoT devices.
Assigning Devices
In a situation where networks are segmented, which is a smart move that can help thwart hackers and prevent them from moving freely throughout your environment, it can become difficult to know which devices are connected to what network. However, some providers have come up with methods whereby they can control security limits as well as performance limits. All they need are the right signatures to detect each individual IoT device.
Once you have those signatures, your Wi-Fi networks are able to assign them to the right virtual local area network (VLAN) while setting firewall rules, data rates, data limits, etc. This gives you far more control over the security of your system. Working with the right agent can help you identify the providers that will give you more visibility into your IoT initiatives while improving safety.
Compass Solutions has nearly 30 years of IT and telecom experience, which means our understanding of all things IoT is comprehensive. We can assist your organization in choosing the right solutions that will not only keep you competitive, but will also keep your networks secure. Contact us to discuss our services.
