With the proliferation of electronic devices that we use every day, most of us are used to being connected at all times. Whether we are checking stock prices, email or text messages, it’s rare that we fully unplug.
Many businesses provide guest Wi-Fi access for the convenience of their customers. But all guest Wi-Fi access is not created equal.
In this article, we’ll explore what a guest Wi-Fi network is, the different ways businesses provide guest Wi-Fi access, and the benefits of creating a separate Wi-Fi network for guests.
After you read this article you’ll have the information you need to decide whether a separate guest network is a good solution for your organization.
At Kelser, we advise businesses of all sizes about technology. But rather than use articles like this to convince you to work with us, we post honest information business leaders like you can use to make the right technology decisions for your organization.
What Is Wi-Fi?
Let’s start at the top with a simple explanation of Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi is a wireless technology that we use to connect devices to the internet. Wi-Fi translates radio signals sent by wireless routers into data.
What Is Guest Wi-Fi Access?
Many businesses provide Wi-Fi access to the internet for the convenience of their customers. While customers are on-site, they can use Wi-Fi to stay connected to the internet.
How Do Businesses Provide Guest Wi-Fi Access?
Businesses generally provide guest Wi-Fi access to the internet in one of two ways:
1. Via A Primary Business Network
Some organizations allow customers to access the company’s main Wi-Fi network while on site.
Related Article: 8 Hidden Cyber Risks That Might Be Lurking Within Your IT Environment
2. Via A Separate Guest Wi-Fi Network
Other businesses establish a separate guest Wi-Fi network to segregate guest Wi-Fi traffic from the business network.
What Is The Safest Way To Provide Guest Wi-Fi Access?
When businesses allow customers to access the company’s main Wi-Fi network, they often don’t realize the risks this can bring. If someone accesses your primary Wi-Fi network with an infected device, there is the potential for other devices on your network to become infected.
In addition, if someone with malicious intent accesses your organization’s network through your business Wi-Fi network, this could allow them a way to compromise or steal sensitive information.
They could also use it as a gateway to launch a large-scale cyber attack, such as malware or ransomware, that can have devastating effects on your business.
Related article: Does Cybersecurity Risk Keep You Up At Night?
The safest way to provide guest Wi-Fi access is to set up a separate, password-protected network. This allows guests access to the internet, but not to your business-specific network resources like shared folders, sensitive documents, or devices.
Is Setting Up A Separate Guest Wi-Fi Network Difficult?
Many routers and networks provide straightforward options for establishing separate guest Wi-Fi networks. It is usually not difficult to set up a separate network. If it is beyond the capabilities of your internal IT team, however, your internet service provider (ISP) can help.
And, since the guest Wi-Fi network is typically established through your existing Wi-Fi router, there is no extra cost to set up or use the additional network.
Why Is It Important For Businesses To Have A Separate Guest Wi-Fi Network?
It's a broadly accepted best practice for businesses to establish a dedicated guest Wi-Fi network.
As we’ve mentioned, the main advantage of separate guest Wi-Fi networks is the added security provided by establishing a separate lane for guest traffic to safely access the public part of your network.
While your business network remains separate and protected behind a firewall, guests can still access the internet without being able to see devices and information stored on your main network.
Related Article: What Is Networking as a Service (NaaS)? 6 Benefits To SMBs
For even greater security, you can establish password-protected public Wi-Fi access. While guests may enjoy the convenience of an open guest network, this added layer of security will still allow them internet access without opening the door to malicious actors looking to gain unauthorized access to your network to cause harm.
Does My Business Need A Separate Guest Wi-Fi Network?
After reading this article, you understand the security risks of allowing guests access to your primary Wi-Fi network. You also recognize the importance of creating a password-protected guest Wi-Fi for added protection.
We’ve talked about how easy it is to establish a separate network for guests and that there is virtually no extra cost to your business to so.
In short, providing guests with a separate network is the only way to provide customers with internet access and secure your network from unintentional or intentional damage.
At this point, you may be wondering how to establish a dedicated guest Wi-Fi network.
You may have sufficient internal resources that can handle this task for you. If not, you may need help from an external IT services provider.
If you are considering turning to a managed IT service provider (MSP) to help you establish a separate guest Wi-Fi network, or you need help with other technology-related issues, we encourage you to explore several providers to ensure that you get one that is the right fit for your organization.
At Kelser, we provide proactive managed IT services and solutions for businesses in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and the surrounding areas.
While we know that manage IT isn’t the right answer for every organization, many businesses find that it is a comprehensive solution that keeps their technology aligned with their business strategy and helps ensure that their network stays safe, available, and operating efficiently.
Curious to learn what managed IT costs? Use our free, no-obligation pricing calculator to get an instant estimate for your business.
Wondering if managed IT might be the solution you need to keep your network safe, available, and efficient? Click on the button below for a no-cost checklist you can use to:
✔️Evaluate your current IT infrastructure and processes
✔️Identify your current IT gaps versus what your business needs
✔️Ensure that your organization has the technology it needs to be successful
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