What is an Access Point?

Introduction

With our devices and electronics becoming more advanced in technology, we need more ways to connect them. It can be troublesome and time-consuming if they don’t inherently work together. Most of our devices have ways of linking up with each other, whether directly through wires or through a network. They all connect to an access point.

With these advancements, it is becoming increasingly important for these devices to communicate, so we need access to these points to be easy and efficient. However, with this ease of access, it can also mean that they turn into a vulnerability when it comes to bad actors. They can use these access points, too.

What is an access point?

Almost every modern device has some way to connect to a network, be it WiFi, a wired connection, or connecting to each other. The places at which these devices connect to the network are called access points or Wireless Access Points (WAP). Anything that has a viable connection can access the point with the right credentials or authorization.

However, that also means that anyone who has those credentials or authorization can access it. If a bad actor has taken this sensitive information, that can result in a security breach or a successful cybersecurity attack. It is a lot easier to get to these access points than you might think.

What can connect to an access point?

It may surprise you how many things can access the network of your business. If your access point isn’t secure, bad actors can get into it through a few common devices. They can also be digital. However, there are some access points that may be forgotten about:

• Printers
• Fax Machines
• WiFi Spots
• Smart Thermostats
• Smart Televisions

Anything that accesses a business’s network can be a vulnerability for it. If it isn’t properly protected, anyone can get in, so it’s important to keep your defenses up to date.

Protecting Access Points

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to prevent unauthorized people from getting into the network through these access points. These should always be updated and often reviewed for information security purposes.

Firewall

One of the most crucial cyber defenses that a network can have is a firewall. A firewall is a security system that prevents or allows IP addresses and programs from accessing the network. It monitors connections and keeps any unknown devices from accessing the network or server. This is the basis of any information security barrier when it comes to wireless access points.

Antivirus

Assuming that the firewall may be breached, another line of defense is antivirus software. These programs are usually always active, monitoring for any sort of malicious activity, be it on the network or on a device. It will block these connections or scripts, alert the user, and likely IT personnel as well.

Scan Often

Scanners are a simple, but effective way to find rogue IPs that may have gotten access to your network. It’s entirely possible for a bad actor to get through a firewall and an antivirus program, but active awareness can prevent a breach from happening if they get through. Many third-party cybersecurity firms have scanners available, so it’s a good idea to do it often.

Policies and Procedures

Your workplace should always have up-to-date policies and procedures when it comes to accessing any point of the network, including WAPs and other various connections. Whether you work from home or from the office, it’s important to keep these policies in mind whenever you are using these connections.

Updates

With an ever-changing environment of technology, things are always being updated. Along with the updates, new vulnerabilities may pop up from time to time. These can be exploited quickly, so it’s crucial to keep your devices up to date with any patches or updates that they may have.

Conclusion

Access points are an important part of any network. They act as connection points for many devices. However, these access points can pose a vulnerability if proper cybersecurity defenses are in place. For example, even a printer can be hacked to get into that access point if they are vulnerable.

Configuration reviews and security awareness training can help prevent bad actors from accessing your network. These access points should be behind a firewall and other various defenses like antivirus and scanners, which should be kept up to date and patched whenever they are rolled out. Access points make things easier, but they can also be a vulnerability.