The Tiny Code That Protects Your Business: Why a Network Security Key Matters

We want you to do something. Ready?

Open your phone and go to your Wi-Fi settings. Take a look at the list of networks popping up. What do you see?

Our guess is a long list of Wi-Fi networks that list business names, something (guest), maybe a couple of “get off my lawn”, or “FBI Van”. 

Now, imagine for a second that one of these networks is your business’s Wi-Fi. A simple name, maybe something like “YourCompanyNetwork”. Cool, now everyone in the building knows that this Wi-Fi network belongs to your business. What if one of your neighbors is a cybercriminal? Now you have to consider the security behind that name. 

If you are using a weak password or outdated encryption to secure your network, you might as well be leaving your front door wide open for that opportunistic neighbor or a shady passerby to come in and wreak havoc. 

This is where a strong network security key comes in. It’s the key to keeping your business’s network secure, protecting all of that sensitive data behind the door, and ensuring that the only people who can get in, are people you trust. 

In this blog, we’re going to get into why a strong network security key is more than just a strong password and why it’s crucial that it’s locked up tight. 

What is a network security key? More than just a password

If you aren’t in the cybersecurity world, a network security key might sound like just your Wi-Fi password. 

If your password is confusing and hard to remember, it’s strong, right? 

Not necessarily. Here’s what you need to know: A network security key functions like a password but it’s actually much more than that. A Wi-Fi password is simply the jumble of letters, numbers, and symbols that you type in to access your network where a network security key is the underlying authentication credential that enables secure connections between devices and the network.

This is what allows encryption protocols like WPA2 or WPA3 to protect data that is transmitted through your network, ultimately preventing hackers from intercepting or tampering with it. 

To simplify this even further, a regular password grants access to your network, but a network security key actively encrypts and secures the data flowing between your device and the router. What this means is even if your cybercriminal neighbor is lurking nearby trying to eavesdrop on your connection, they can’t decipher any of the information being sent. 

Even if someone connects to your Wi-Fi, they can’t read the traffic without breaking the encryption. 

The next section is important, especially if you’re a small business owner wondering how and why this applies to you.

Why SMBs can’t ignore network security

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Small businesses should never put cybersecurity on the back burner–like, ever.

It’s easy to assume that hackers would only be interested in targeting large corporations because that’s where the money is. That’s where the headlines are, too.

We hate to break it to you, but cybercriminals see small businesses like yours as low hanging fruit. You don’t have the same cybersecurity defenses as a big company, but you do have valuable customer data that’s just as shiny and attractive to cybercriminals. If they see an open door, they’re going to take it, and if it doesn’t have a guard to fight through? Even better.

Network security isn’t just a tech issue. It’s an everyone issue. If your network security is weak, attackers can weasel their way into your network and wreak complete havoc. We’re saving the ‘how’ for the next section, but it’s important to understand that these types of attacks can paralyze your business, disrupt operations, and potentially lead to a financial fallout that could cost you your business. 

This is the scary part, and we have one more scary section before we teach you what you can do to protect your business.

How hackers exploit weak security keys

Criminals exploit vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals exploit digital vulnerabilities. 

And they’re always on the lookout for vulnerabilities they can exploit.

Weak network security keys are the golden egg for hackers looking to break into your business’s network. Even though you may think your Wi-Fi password is secure enough, if it’s reused across multiple networks or too many people know it, it’s really easy to crack, especially by using automated tools–which, let’s be honest, they’re all using now.

One of the most common ways hackers exploit weak security keys is simply by taking a guess. If your security key is really simple, they’ll guess their way right in. Automated programs can try millions of combinations in seconds, turning your seemingly safe password into an open invitation.

Another tactic hackers rely on is one you’ve likely heard of before. Phishing and social engineering are when they use fake emails, phone calls, or websites to trick your employees into giving the hackers their credentials. Once the hacker has this information, they can bypass your network’s security entirely. 

Then there’s the more technical approach that sounds like something out of an old Bond movie: Evil Twin Networks. These are fake Wi-Fi networks that look legitimate. Employees accidentally connect to these networks, which are literally designed to steal login information. The hacker doesn’t have to crack any code, they can just sit back and wait for an unsuspecting user to hand everything right over.

Scary, right? Let’s take a look at some things you can start doing right now to secure your network and protect your business.

Easy steps to secure your network

If you just learned about network security and why it’s so important and that’s a lot of information to take in on your lunch break. The truth that this blog is dovetailing to is that securing your network does not have to be overwhelming. Here are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of unauthorized access and keep your business protected:

Use WPA3 or WPA2-Enterprise security: Ditch outdated protocols like WEP or WPA. These newer encryption standards offer stronger protection against the hacking methods we explored in the last section. This stronger encryption, especially WPA3, is designed to keep hackers at bay by making it so much harder for them to intercept your data.

Create long, complex passwords: Annoying to remember, but so important in this day and age. A strong password should include a mix of uppercase letters, numbers, lowercase letters, and special characters. Avoid using words or easily guessable information, like your business name or 123456. Instead of writing down your password on a post-it note and sticking it to your monitor, use a secure password manager to store and manage these credentials.

Restrict Wi-Fi access: Limit the number of people and devices to those who need it for their job, and make sure that all of the devices connecting to your network are secure. Visitors and third-parties can use a separate guest network.

Regularly update your passwords: Set a calendar invite to remind you to change your password to help prevent unauthorized access.

Beyond strong passwords and encryption, we have one more tip. This last one needs its own section because it really is that important. Don’t worry, we’ll explain what it means.

Advantages of separating networks into VLANs

Think of VLANs like a highway with just the right amount of lanes to avoid accidents and keep traffic flowing smoothly (a dream, we know). Each car on your dream highway represents a device in your network. Instead of everyone sharing the same lane and congesting traffic, VLANs group them based on function–guest Wi-Fi gets its own lane, security cameras get their own lane, and employee workstations get their own, for example.

What this does is ensure that if a car crashes in one of your lanes (if malware infects one device), the disaster is contained to that one single lane, unable to spread across your entire network, and every device on your network. This minimizes the damage and makes it easier to pinpoint and resolve security incidents. 

In the cybersecurity world, timing is everything. The sooner you identify the threat and what exactly was breached, the better. 

But security and performance aren’t just about setup. They require ongoing monitoring to stay effective. Network uptime monitoring and threat alerts ensure that any potential issues, from connectivity disruptions to cyber threats, are detected and dealt with immediately, and this is where things can get overwhelming for SMBs.

While these steps are simple, we understand that you are really busy. Let’s make this even easier for you.

Network Thinking Solutions: Here for you when IT is overwhelming

Network security can seem simple at first—update passwords, secure your Wi-Fi—but once you dig deeper, you’ll uncover dozens of other vulnerabilities. What started as a quick fix can quickly turn into a game of “whack-a-mole.”

That’s where Network Thinking Solutions (NTS) comes in. We take the stress of cybersecurity and system management off your plate, ensuring your systems run smoothly, your data stays secure, and your business remains protected from ever-evolving threats. 

Part of that protection comes from using Unifi Wi-Fi solutions for our clients, allowing us to monitor networks proactively and keep security airtight. 

“Ubiquiti’s UniFi gives you high-performance connectivity, which means that you get reliable, scalable, and secure internet access when you need it most,” says Tanner Valdes, project manager at NTS.

With us on your side, you can focus on what matters most—growing your business—while we handle the rest. We’ve got your back so you can grow with confidence.

Want to learn more about what we can do for you?  Contact us today.