How to secure a wireless network

You need a virtual private network or VPN. While securing your wireless network with a VPN may seem too complicated and expensive, this approach is very commonly used by small business resellers and integrators. Before you reject this option, consider what your expenses and liability would be if your data falls into the hands of your biggest competitor -- or even a cyber-criminal!

If the cost and complexity of VPN is too much for your company to handle, stay with a traditional category-5 cabled Ethernet network. And don't forget to secure your servers and workstations with passwords, firewalls (software and hardware), antivirus software, and anti-spy ware. It's not enough anymore to protect your data only during transmission. You need to protect your "islands of information," which are an even bigger target.

As always, your best line of defense is to work with a knowledgeable local technology provider or integrator to help design, install, customize, and support your secure network on an ongoing basis.