What our customers say

Why is Wi-Fi authentication important?

  • Security: Prevents unauthorised access to your network, reducing the risk of data breaches, malware infections, and other security threats.
  • Access control: Allows you to control who can access your network and what resources they can access.
  • Accountability: Enables you to track network usage and identify potential security issues.

 Common Wi-Fi authentication methods

  • Pre-Shared Key (PSK): The most common method, where all users share the same password to access the network. While easy to set up, it's less secure as the password can be easily shared. (e.g., WPA2-Personal)
  • Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP): A more secure method that uses individual credentials for each user, often in conjunction with a RADIUS server. (e.g., WPA2-Enterprise)

What is RADIUS?

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a networking protocol that provides centralised authentication, authorisation, and accounting (AAA) for network access. It acts as a middleman between the device trying to connect and the system that verifies the credentials.

We often recommend to our clients authenticating Wi-Fi access through Microsoft Entra ID and employee individual Microsoft 365 accounts. 

Benefits of integrating Wi-Fi authentication with Microsoft 365

  • Centralised identity management: Manage Wi-Fi access and Microsoft 365 access from a single platform (Microsoft Entra ID).
  • Enhanced security: Enforce strong authentication policies, including MFA and Conditional Access, for Wi-Fi access.
  • Simplified user experience: Users can use their Microsoft 365 credentials to access the Wi-Fi network. No need for separate or shared logins.
  • Improved compliance: Meet regulatory requirements by actively logging and monitoring network access.

By linking your Wi-Fi authentication to Microsoft 365, you can create a more secure, efficient, and user-friendly wireless network environment. 

Staff and guest networks with VLANs

To enhance security and network management, it is common to segment wireless networks using Virtual LANs (VLANs). Here's how VLANs can be used for staff and guest networks:

Staff network:

  • Authenticated using WPA2-Enterprise with RADIUS, often integrated with Microsoft Entra ID for credential verification.
  • Assigned to a specific VLAN (e.g., VLAN 10) that provides access to internal network resources, such as file servers, printers, and applications.
  • Policies can be applied to the staff VLAN to enforce specific security settings and access controls.

Guest network:

  • Authenticated using a less restrictive method, such as a captive portal or Pre-Shared Key (PSK).
  • Isolated on a separate VLAN (e.g., VLAN 20) that has limited or no access to internal network resources. Guest access typically only includes Internet access.
  • Policies are applied to the guest VLAN to restrict bandwidth, limit access to potentially harmful websites, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Both networks can work simultaneously allowing for different access depending on the user. 

By Implementing Wi-Fi authentication and linking this to Microsoft 365, as well as setting VLANs for network segmentation, you can create a more secure, efficient, and user-friendly wireless network environment. 

 

Contact us to schedule a consultation and explore our tailored solutions. Our experts will work closely with you to design an authentication procedure that works for your business.

Testimonials

Timothy Proctor

Partner, Proctors Estate Agent in Park Langley, Beckenham, Kent

“We have relied on Jason and the D8A team to look after our IT needs for many years, with a monthly maintenance contract. During this time we have also carried out some major upgrades, most recently moving to a cloud server. With a lot of unseen work behind the scenes to make all necessary preparations, any such improvements have always been carried out with a minimum of disruption. Jason’s breadth of knowledge ensures any downtime is minimised and we are back up and running without delay. The monthly maintenance also ensures, on a day to day basis, that we experience virtually no issues and foreseen problems are dealt with ahead of time. Jason has efficient systems in place and with good humour and a friendly approach we have enjoyed an excellent working relationship that we hope will continue for many years to come."

Nikki Schuster

CEO of the Charity, Renew Counselling in Chelmsford, Essex

“Jason and D8A have been providing IT support for us for 15 years, through many changes and challenges. They have, and continue to be incredibly supportive to our needs and will endeavour to address any issues efficiently and speedily. They have proven to be an excellent resource for us as a charity. During this particularly trying time, D8A have continued to provide the help and support we need in terms of our ongoing IT requirements and also in relation to our response to COVID 19. I have no hesitation in recommending D8A.”


Andy Powell

Club Manager of Jags Sports Club in Dulwich, London

“Jason and D8A have been close partners of ours for the past 12 years. In that time they have built and maintained an IT system which we have come to rely on for all essential business needs. Their friendly and thorough approach has allowed the Sports Club to have total confidence in their advice and capabilities. They are reactive and proactive in equal measures and we know that any critical issues are dealt with swiftly and precisely to a very high standard.”

Nick Vincent

Partner of estate agent, Proctors in Shirley in Croydon

“We have worked with Jason and his company for many years now, we have always received a high level of service from his team, with speedy response time to issues raised. The fact that they are able to remotely access our computers to resolve matters is excellent. D8A have taken care of all our IT needs from large infrastructure projects to a staff member needing some support, they come highly recommended.”

Madde Nicholls

Managing Director, Begg and Co. Plastics distributor in Erith in Kent

“A professional and friendly service who are always there to help us with any IT problems we may have”

Tracy Figg

Office manager and PA to CEO at furniture distributor, Lifestyle Europe Furniture Ltd in Maidstone in Kent

“From our initial introduction to present, we have always received a friendly and professional response from their team.
When we approach them with a problem, we are always confident it will be resolved promptly.”

Thank you D8A for your continuous help and support."

Beverley Horne

Office manager at City Flooring in Beckenham in Kent

“I would like to take this opportunity to commend Jason and his team for their immediate attention to works and any problem solving that City Flooring have encountered.

Many thanks for your utmost efficiency and look forward to your continued advice and expertise in the future.”

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