The Difference Between Wired and Wireless Connections

The way your business utilizes and accesses data is changing. A short time ago, you couldn’t imagine that you would have a comprehensive strategy to keep data secure when sending and receiving it wirelessly, but modern wireless transmission methods have become more secure, reliable, and fast. Below we take a look at the difference between wired and wireless connections in the modern business.

A Wireless Connection

The Pros

There is one clear benefit to the wireless network: No wires! It is a huge benefit not having to run cable, and being able to access resources anywhere within range on nearly any device makes a big difference. In giving your team access to network resources wirelessly, your business will be better suited for collaboration and improved productivity.

With a strong wireless network in place, you can promote some strategies that can work to enhance your operational effectiveness. One of those strategies is a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. Many of your employees bring their smartphones with them when they come to work and if you don’t have a BYOD policy, they are absolutely a risk. By enacting a BYOD strategy, your staff firmly understands that while their phones can be a positive for the company, they can also be a problem and that the organization has steps it can take if that negative reality comes to fruition. 

The Cons

With the convenience of a wireless network, the speed and security aren’t what they would be with a wired connection.

Wireless connections are more vulnerable than wired ones. It’s easier for unauthorized individuals to hijack the signal of a wireless connection and can provide a third-party with access to the imperative information that is transmitted wirelessly. 

The Wired Connection

The Pros

When dealing with wired networks, IT administrators maintain a higher degree of control over what devices can connect to the network. This presents value is numerous ways, none more critical than the degree of security wired connections promote. 

Also, wired networks are usually much faster than wireless networks. This speed boost is magnified if there are walls, floors, ceilings, or any other potential interference to seeing optimal speeds over Wi-Fi.

The Cons

The biggest drawback to a wired Internet network is the act of wiring the network. The cost and time are higher than it would be to set up a wireless network, and it can also be a hindrance for maintenance if a cable fails or hardware has to be moved around due to business growth or restructuring. 

Another detriment to the business is that a wired connection doesn’t allow for the type of mobility many businesses are looking for these days. With a wireless connection, meetings are faster, more to the point, and collaborative work can be fluid.

If your business is looking to build a powerhouse wireless network, or if you prefer a wired network and need help networking your office, give the IT professionals at Macro Systems a call at 703-359-9211.