Networks have changed – but many setups haven’t
A typical business network used to be simple: a router, a switch, a few PCs, and maybe a printer. Today, it’s very different.
Modern offices rely on dozens of connected devices, many of which:
- Run their own internal software (firmware)
- Are rarely checked once installed
- Don’t need access to everything on the network
- Were never designed with security as a priority
Yet in many businesses, everything still lives on one flat network, all able to see and talk to each other freely. Convenient? Yes. Sensible? Not always.
The hidden risk of “it just works”
An unmanaged, all-in-one network setup is a bit like leaving every internal door in your building unlocked because staff like to move around easily.
Most of the time, nothing bad happens.
But if one device is outdated, misconfigured, or compromised, it can potentially:
- Interact with servers it shouldn’t
- Reach staff laptops or shared files
- Be used as a stepping stone to more sensitive systems
- Create blind spots that traditional security tools don’t notice
This is especially common with devices that don’t get much attention after installation – such as printers, switches, access points, or IoT-style equipment.
Firmware – the updates nobody thinks about
Many network-connected devices run firmware – effectively their own operating system.
Unlike laptops and PCs, these updates:
- Don’t happen automatically
- Aren’t always obvious
- Often require manual checks or planned maintenance
Out-of-date firmware can contain known security weaknesses that are publicly documented. In other words, the instructions already exist for how to exploit them.
Keeping these devices updated isn’t about chasing perfection – it’s about reducing unnecessary exposure and avoiding preventable issues.
Why separation matters more than people realise
One of the most effective (and least intrusive) ways to improve network security is segmentation – separating devices into logical groups rather than lumping everything together.
For example:
- Staff computers on one network
- Servers on another
- Printers and shared devices on a restricted segment
- Guest or visitor Wi-Fi kept completely separate
- Smart or building-related devices isolated from business data
This is usually achieved using managed switches and virtual networks (VLANs). You don’t need to understand the technical detail to appreciate the benefit – it simply means that if something goes wrong in one area, it doesn’t automatically spread everywhere else.
Think of it as fire doors rather than one open-plan floor.
Managed vs unmanaged – it’s about control, not complexity
Unmanaged networking equipment is popular because it’s cheap and simple. Plug it in, and it works.
Managed equipment adds the ability to:
- Control which devices can talk to each other
- Monitor what’s happening on the network
- Apply sensible restrictions without affecting day-to-day work
- Make informed changes as the business grows
Importantly, this doesn’t mean more hassle for staff. When designed properly, users won’t notice any difference at all – except that the network is quieter, more stable, and far safer behind the scenes.
A calmer, more resilient network
Good network security isn’t about locking everything down or making systems difficult to use.
It’s about thoughtful design, regular care, and making sure each device only has the access it genuinely needs.
That includes:
- Knowing what’s connected
- Keeping firmware and configurations current
- Designing networks that assume something might fail – and limiting the impact when it does
Final thoughts
For many businesses, network security improves dramatically not by adding more tools, but by revisiting how the network itself is structured.
Designing and implementing segmented, well-managed networks – and then quietly maintaining them over time – is exactly the kind of work that often sits in the background until it’s missing.
If you’d like to explore how your existing network is laid out, or what sensible improvements could look like without disruption, that’s something we regularly help businesses with as part of both one-off projects and our ongoing managed support plans.
No jargon, no pressure – just practical, well-designed networks that grow with your business.