Wi-Fi has become an integral part of everyone’s life. The wireless network technology is particularly crucial for business. And because the demands on Wi-Fi are ever increasing, Wi-Fi is ever evolving. As the Internet of Things (IoT) grows in popularity and usefulness, the stress on Wi-Fi has never been greater. While this means that many opportunities abound in the arena of Wi-Fi and IoT, it also means new cybersecurity risks.
Managed IT Solutions has a major role to play during this rapid period of the evolution of Wi-Fi.
The Changing Face of Wi-Fi
As more and more demands are made on these air-based networks, Wi-Fi technologies are changing to rise to the challenge. Video conferencing alone has rapidly strained the capacity of Wi-Fi, so upgrades are necessary.
A numbering system has been setup to identify the growth and evolution of Wi-Fi:
- Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) was released in 2009.
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) was released in 2014.
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) was released in 2019.
And Wi-Fi continues to evolve. For example, we now have technologies such as Automated Frequency Coordination helping (AFC) helping to maximize the 6 GHz frequency band. Here’s how Wi-Fi is impacting the world and changing Managed IT:
1. Wi-Fi and the Internet of Things (IoT)
From smart homes to smartphones, the Internet of Things is taking over the world. For businesses, IoT can lead to many innovations and improvements in the office as well as the warehouse.
From better inventory management to interactive whiteboards, the Internet of Things leverages Wi-Fi to2 supercharge everyday business.
Prior to the adoption of fast Wi-Fi, Internet connections were tethered to thick, bulky ethernet cables. Thanks to Wi-Fi technology, we now have ubiquitous, ephemeral networks that run through the air, often overlapping as individual homes and businesses each transmit their unique SSIDs.
Wi-Fi has now become a foundational technology for the Internet of Things (IoT) applications. As IoT goes, so does Wi-Fi.
2. Wi-Fi 6 Is Now Transforming Homes and Businesses
The short version of these evolving forms of Wi-Fi is that the newer, the better, the faster, the more bandwidth. Wi-Fi 6 has quickly reached a rate of 50% market adoption, far faster than previous iterations of Wi-Fi. Consumers will now have more access to Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E as they become embedded in new computers and devices. You’ll soon see Wi-Fi 6 in everything from cars to virtual reality devices. Businesses need to adapt too.
3. Wi-Fi and the Need for More Cybersecurity
As Wi-Fi and the Internet of Things continues to rapidly evolve, the threat of cyberattacks is also increasing. The more connected things are, the more vulnerable they can be. For a manufacturer, for example, IoT can be extremely helpful when it comes to shepherding things through the supply chain. However, without the right levels of security, the supply chain can be easily disrupted by a hostile actor.
On the most basic level, firewalls need to be put in place and properly configured to make sure that the ubiquitous Wi-Fi that is floating through the air doesn’t become a major entry point for malicious hackers.
For businesses, Wi-Fi networks need to be monitored and managed properly in order to ensure safety and security. This is not just true for businesses. Organizations such as schools and law enforcement agencies also need to be sure that their Wi-Fi networks are secured. Imagine a hospital where a Wi-Fi network was infiltrated, and private patient information was perhaps not just stolen but modified – leading to chaos and possibly hurt patients.
4. Ever Evolving Wi-Fi Speeding Up the Need for Innovation
As Wi-Fi evolves to keep up with its current demands, it begins to create new openings for innovative businesses to move into even more advanced technologies. Newer types of Wi-Fi, for example, reduce the strain on batteries, which enables smaller devices to be connected to networks.
While the trend upwards of Wi-Fi speeds and features is a great thing, it also means that businesses need to run to catch up. That also includes the need for cybersecurity.
How Managed IT Solutions Can Help
Keeping up with the ever-changing face of Wi-Fi is becoming more and more challenging for businesses of all sizes. If your core business isn’t Wi-Fi or IT management, then why worry about it, when you can use a Managed IT Solutions provider to help maintain and secure your Wi-Fi systems. With managed IT solutions you can be assured that your business is kept up to date on the latest Wi-Fi technologies with full security protocols.
Get Started With a Network Assessment Today
If you’d like to move your business to Wi-Fi 6 or take better advantage of the Internet of Things, you might also benefit from a network assessment from CDS Office Technologies. As a Managed IT Solutions provider, we have a crack team of certified IT experts that can help assess your current network and help you plan for the future. Our cybersecurity expertise means that we will set-up the firewalls and systems needed to make sure that your Wi-Fi networks are secure from outside intruders.
CDS Office Technologies is a leading provider of Managed IT Solutions based in Illinois. We serve small businesses, large businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and more. For more information on Managed IT Services, please contact us today for a consultation.
