Why is it important that your business has a Guest Wi-Fi network? 

We’ve all been in this situation, you head to a meeting with a client and you want to get on to the internet to be able to show them files, photos, videos, and much more. Problem being... there is no “Guest Wi-Fi". But you still need to access the internet, so what happens? 

1. You tether to your phone which has unreliable signal depending on where you are.
2. The business adds you on to their internal network to be able to access the internet. 

And this is where things can go horribly wrong. Did you know that this second solution instantly opens the door for malicious threat actors to launch an attack? 

Why is it dangerous for guests to use your business Wi-Fi network? 

Offering Wi-Fi to clients and visitors into your business is expected in the modern working environment, we are all connected 24/7 across a multitude of different devices. However, if those guests are connecting to the same Wi-Fi network as your company’s devices, you could be exposing your business to cyber risks.  

A guest Wi-Fi network is the simple solution to both offer convenience and security from potential threats, it does this by giving visitors internet access without letting their devices access your private business network.  

A guest Wi-Fi network is essentially a separate wireless network just for visitors, think of it as not even being a part of your primary network... because, with the right rules and security in place, it isn’t a part of your network as it is virtually separated and blocked from being able to see any other parts of your network or the devices on it.  

Think of it like this; you give your visitor an electronic badge to be able to get into the building and to shared facilities (such as toilets or a kitchen area), but that badge won't allow them to be able to open the door into your Finance, HR or other critical departments!  

This simple separation can dramatically boost your security and privacy. Providing a separate guest Wi-Fi network (like a "visitor" network) keeps your business’s private data safe while still offering internet access to your guests. 

Why is Separating Guests from Your Primary Network Critical? 

If you only have one Wi-Fi network for everyone, you could be unknowingly opening the door to cyber threats. Every device that connects to your main business Wi-Fi network is a potential risk. Whether it be a client’s phone or a vendor’s laptop, if a guest’s device is infected with malware, that infection could potentially spread to your business’s computers and servers on a shared network, or be used to launch a targeted attack on your business data. 

However, with a segregated guest Wi-Fi network, any malware on a visitor’s device stays isolated to that “sub-net” and can’t reach your critical servers or business use devices.  

There are also privacy issues linked to guest devices accessing your primary network. If guests share your main network and you do not have adequate network and users security set up, they might accidentally (or intentionally) access shared devices, data or files they shouldn’t. A guest Wi-Fi isolates internal resources, keeping your sensitive data out of sight. Keeping guests on a separate network prevents breaches by keeping untrusted devices away from your sensitive data.  

Security isn’t the only concern though. Without a separately managed guest network, with its own set of device rules, visitors can easily hog bandwidth with video streams or downloads, slowing down your critical business traffic. A guest Wi-Fi keeps your primary network fast and reliable for work needs, allowing you to allocate a specified maximum bandwidth to guests that even if they reach that maximum, it will not impact you primary network.  

Think of a guest network as a direct route to the internet, it exists inside a tunnel that data passing through can not see out of. 

Lessons from Real-World Wi-Fi Breaches 

Cyber criminals have repeatedly demonstrated how dangerous poorly managed (or set up) guest network can be, and how it can have real world impications on a business and its customers. Here are a few real-world examples that highlight the risks: 

UK Rail Wi-Fi Hack (2024): In 2024, hackers breached a UK railway’s public Wi-Fi network and redirected users to a malicious webpage. It’s a reminder that if attackers break into your Wi-Fi, they can misuse it or potentially reach other connected systems. 

TJX Retail Breach (2007): Cyber criminals once exploited a weakly secured store Wi-Fi at TJX to steal credit card data from millions of customers. Whether it is not providing adequate security for your network, or giving guests access to your internet network, it just goes to show the type of data that can be accessed without the right network security in place. 

How Can You Secure Your Wi-Fi and Protect Your Business? 

Setting up a secure guest Wi-Fi network is one of the simplest and smartest moves for your business, but there are other critical considerations that every business should take as part of their network security; 

Create Multiple Dedicated Networks:

We work with businesses to create separate Wi-Fi (SSID)  for a multitude of different purposes, with dedicated internal networks for business use devices, staff personal devices (which can pose similar security risks), and guest access. Beyond this, it is important to remember that not all “Guest Networks” are created equal, whether it be a password protected network you individually grant access to, or a public network with a guest sign up/login page, we have worked with businesses to implement a range of solutions to isolate guests from your internal secure network. Guests will get internet access only and cannot reach your private business systems or data.  

Use Strong Encryption, Network Security, and Passwords:

Enable strong security on all Wi-Fi networks and avoid any obsolete protocols (never use WEP or leave networks completely open). Set a strong, unique Wi-Fi password for your critical business networks and change it regularly, especially if people who know it leave the business. Strong encryption, paired with monitored strong network security rules, and strong login credentials will keep most attackers out. 

Keep Your Wi-Fi Equipment Updated:

Regularly update your network equipment and wireless access point firmware. Updates often fix security vulnerabilities (also known as Zero Day threats) that hackers could exploit. It is important that you check for updates regularly or enable automatic updates if available, so your network equipment is always patched against the latest known threats. 

Monitor Usage:

Keep an eye on connected devices across your network to ensure that only known devices can access business critical data or systems. Regular monitoring can help catch any unusual activity. 

Educate your Employees:

Beyond these security measures, it is also important to educate your team around the potential threats and security risks of connecting unknown and unsecured devices to your business network and what the security implication of connecting those devices could be. 

By implementing the above measures, your business can create strong layers of defence. You’re essentially building a series digital walls and tunnels: even if an attacker or malware gets onto the guest Wi-Fi, that wall stops them from hopping over to the business network. 

How can TwentyFour Secure Your Business Wi-Fi? 

We have been working with businesses both throughout the UK and now in 18 countries around the world to provide industry leading IT Support, Network Management, Cyber Security, Disaster Recovery, Cloud Services, and AI & Automation Solutions for more than 20 years. We have installed network services, including Staff and Guest Wi-Fi solutions in more than 300 different businesses across a range of different industries. Whether it be a Wi-Fi solution for a shared office space, or even in hospitality for sports clubs such as Doncaster Knights or Tickhill Cricket Club, we have the right solutions to suit your needs. Book a meeting with our specialist team today to find out more.