Identity Theft

Access point so called Wi-Fi s a radio-based technology, designed to allow computers and other devices to talk to one another in a network. These devices have a limited range – typically about 100 metres in any direction in office blocks and cities. Within that network connection, laptops, desktop PCs, servers, modems and printers can talk to each other via the access point, provided they are equipped with their own transmitting and receiving Wi-Fi cards.

Some of the advantages of using access point instead of cables which are:

• Firstly, from business perspective a wireless network is easier to scale up as you won’t have to put in new cable to cater for more PCs. Whereas using cable, you need to buy cable for a new PC.
• Secondly, it’s more convenient and effective. Imagine you need to move machines around from one floor to another floor.

So, is it good to have an access point for office?

A “yes’’ if you need mobility, it will ease your job when you are travelling from office to another office without the need to bring network cable or to find a network socket. Though outsider might have access to your office network resources, you can install software that authenticates the addresses of all machines on the network.

A “No” if your machine is a PC or your work requires you to be deskbound. With cables, you minimize the attacks from outsiders trying to tap onto your office network resources.

Any office that has internet access will have this basic IT setup that comprises of an ADSL modem router with wireless, and a switch to connect to multiple computers. You as a boss or department head, may start to observe your office internet becomes sluggish at times. You got no idea what is the cause of it and what is the usage of the internet. You are wondering if your staffs are using the internet for work or play. The last thing you want to discover is that there is a peer to peer program running or virus intrusion through the web.

A good network security appliance such as Fortigate consolidates your security infrastructure and simplifies your management requirements, lowering your costs and reducing the workload of your IT staff. You just need to add this appliance between your modem and switch, and it will solve your problem and give you a peace of mind. Network security appliance usually combines enterprise-class firewall, web monitoring, intrusion prevention, antivirus, web filtering, antispam, application control, endpoint Network Access Control (NAC) and many more!

After the deployment of the network security appliance, it gives you a summary of your office internet usage which is broken down by streaming video & music, instant messaging , peer to peer applications, individual staff usage identified by computer IP address and etc. Thereafter, you can decide to filter web or applications accordingly so as to stay in line with your office security policy.