Grandstream Weighs in on the State of WiFi Security

Cybersecurity is once again in the spotlight following a massive ransomware attack that shut down networks across the world earlier this week. Even more sophisticated than the WannaCry worm that devastated hundreds of thousands of computers in May, the Petya worm has crippled the networks of major organizations around the world, ranging from the energy sector, to healthcare and even vital government infrastructure.

As wave after wave of advanced cyberattacks continue to send ripples through the global economy, business leaders from the network security sector continue to make the case for organizations to take matters into their own hands.

Phil Bowers, Senior Marketing Manager at Grandstream Networks, believes that one of the most significant challenges we face today is a lack of security for WiFi access points.

“One of the most important, yet overlooked, aspects of any WiFi network is security. In developing the security suite for our own GWN series of WiFi APs, we closely tested and analyzed many of the leading WiFi access points and were surprised to find that most devices on the market are still vulnerable to major attacks because of a few core issues.”

Just how vulnerable are businesses today? A new Clark School study at the University of Maryland recently discovered that hackers launch attacks every 39 seconds. When hackers land a blow against businesses, the results aren’t good; 60 percent of small companies that suffer a cyberattack are out of business within six months. And while major enterprises might have a greater ability to withstand a death-blow, the average enterprise still loses $3.5 million per year to external cyberattacks.

How has Bower's organization stepped up to address security issues that continue to plague some of the most commonly used WiFi access points today?

“Our GWN series were designed to make WiFi networks more secure. Whether it be building completely unique default password and security certificates into every GWN series access point, building in multiple layers of protection to encrypt the firmware that runs these devices, or offering all major wiFi security encryption protocols, we have made sure that our APs go above and beyond other market options to offer high-end security protection.”

Research firm MarketsAndMarkets indicates that the global WiFi market is poised to reach $33.6 billion by 2020—more than twice the revenue seen in 2015. Clearly, businesses are not going to stop relying on emerging communications technology. But in order to thrive in the modern economy, savvy business leaders must listen to the calls from network security experts and invest equally in shoring up vulnerabilities.

To learn more about shoring up vulnerabilities to your WiFi network, click here.