Networks and Wi-Fi
Printers, cameras and smart TVs belong on their own network
Modern offices are full of connected devices that are not computers: printers, cameras, door controllers, TVs, thermostats and equipment.
1 min readExplainer
The short version
Devices that rarely get updates should not sit on the same network as your computers. Separating them limits what an attacker can reach.
Why these devices are a risk
- They rarely get updated, and some never do.
- They often ship with default passwords that nobody changes.
- Nobody watches them. A compromised camera can sit unnoticed for years.
On a flat network, where everything can talk to everything, one weak device can become an attacker’s way to your computers and servers. The Target breach began with a building contractor’s access.
What segmentation means
Segmentation divides one network into separate zones, with rules about what may talk to what:
- Computers and servers in one zone.
- Printers in another, reachable for printing only.
- Cameras, building systems and equipment in their own zone, often with no internet access unless they need it.
- Guest Wi-Fi in a zone that reaches only the internet.
It can usually be done with the switches and firewall you already have, as long as they support it.
Where it matters most
Manufacturing floors, medical equipment, hospitality systems and any office with equipment that cannot be updated or replaced easily.
Talk to us about your technology
Tell us what you run today and what is getting in the way. We will get back to you about how we can help.