Beware The Grey Market - What To Look Out For When Buying Discounted IT Stock

grey-market-what-to-know

The "Grey Market", where goods are traded through unofficial yet legal channels, offers enticing opportunities for buyers attracted by lower prices. But while perfectly legal, this market requires caution, or even all-out avoidance, particularly within the IT and Networking sector.

The promise of discounted IT equipment can be compelling, especially when you're shopping around for discounts on the big names, such as Cisco and HPE. However, when a discount seems too good to be true, it could be because it brings with it complexities surrounding compatibility, warranties, and support. There's a critical balance between cost savings and informed decision-making, but when it comes to IT, applying a healthy amount of due diligence is key, so you can ensure you're only purchasing equipment through authorised (and safe) channels. Let's take a look, then, at exactly what Grey Market IT is and what to look out for, so you can avoid buying dodgy kit that could land you in a tough spot.

What is Grey Market IT stock?

grey-market-what-is-it

The grey market occupies a unique position in the world of commerce, nestled between the legality of official retail channels and the illegality of black markets. Unlike black markets, which deal in illicit goods or bypass legal channels altogether, the grey market legally redistributes products through channels that, while unofficial, are not inherently illegal. These goods can be genuine but are sold outside the manufacturer's authorised distribution networks. The differentiation from official retail channels lies in the absence of direct manufacturer endorsement and support, making the grey market a legitimate but complex part of global trade.

In IT, the grey market is particularly prevalent. It involves a wide variety of products, from laptops and smartphones to more specialised equipment such as network switches, routers, and wireless access points. These items, often integral to the infrastructure of businesses and individuals alike, find their way into the grey market through various channels, presenting an attractive alternative to official retail avenues due to their lower prices.

The sourcing of grey market items is diverse, spanning across international boundaries and often involving intricate supply chains. One common source is international purchases, where goods are bought in one country—sometimes benefiting from currency fluctuations, regional promotions, or lower local prices—and then sold in another without going through the manufacturer's authorised distributors. Another source is overstock sales, where excess inventory from a manufacturer or retailer is sold to third-party vendors. These vendors then offer the products at reduced prices, sidestepping the official retail channels.

Products can enter the grey market through liquidation sales, company closures, or even customer returns, further broadening the spectrum of how and where these items are sourced.

Understanding the grey market's nuances, especially within the IT sector, is crucial for countering companies who may be using the grey market to supply you. While it offers the allure of cost savings, it also demands a heightened awareness of the potential risks associated with purchasing outside official channels, such as issues with warranties, support, and product authenticity. When you're gathering quotes, if your pricing is simply too good to be true, this could be a big red flag.

Where Does "Grey Stock" Come From?

grey-market-it-stock

The grey market in IT equipment flourishes on the fringes of official supply chains, operating through a global network that sources and distributes products outside the authorised channels of manufacturers. Grey market IT products, such as discounted Cisco Meraki switches, find their way into the hands of consumers and businesses, through various global mechanisms, underscoring the truly international nature of these transactions.

Acquiring Grey Market IT Products

A common scenario involves IT resellers acquiring products like big-name networks switches, access points, and routers at steep discounts, often raising eyebrows about the origins of such deals. These products may not always come through the direct supply lines established by manufacturers.

Instead, they are sourced through a variety of unofficial channels that bypass traditional distribution networks. For example, an IT supplier not recognised as a Cisco partner might offer Cisco Meraki switches at prices significantly lower than market rates. This situation typically indicates that the products have been sourced from outside the usual vendor-approved channels.

The Global Grey Market

The grey market's reach is undeniably global, with products moving across borders in ways that blur the lines of official distribution. Items can originate from virtually anywhere in the world, making their way through a complex web of buyers, sellers, and intermediaries before reaching the end user. A vivid illustration of this is the resale of over-ordered IT equipment, such as a European hospital offloading excess Cisco Meraki switches. These products, originally purchased in bulk to secure a discount or due to procurement overestimates, become surplus to requirements and are sold into the grey market to recoup expenses.

Such practices underscore the grey market's adaptive and opportunistic nature, capitalising on the discrepancies between supply and demand across different regions. The lack of a single point of origin for grey market goods complicates efforts to regulate or monitor these transactions, as products can be sourced from overstock situations, liquidation sales, or even other grey market transactions, creating a self-sustaining cycle of distribution that operates parallel to, yet distinctly apart from, official supply chains.

Understanding the origins and sources of grey market IT equipment is crucial for buyers navigating this space. It highlights the importance of diligence and the need to weigh the benefits of lower prices against the potential risks and uncertainties associated with these products. This global marketplace, while offering opportunities for savings, also demands a careful consideration of the implications for warranty, support, and overall product authenticity.

The Risks of Grey Market Products

grey-market-why-care

While the grey market offers cost savings on IT equipment, it comes with a spectrum of risks that buyers must be aware of. The appeal of lower prices can often obscure the potential pitfalls associated with these purchases, including compatibility issues, warranty and support challenges, and the risk of counterfeit products. Understanding these risks is essential for making informed decisions and mitigating potential problems down the line.

Compatibility Issues

One of the immediate concerns when purchasing grey market IT equipment is compatibility. Products intended for different geographical markets may come with incompatible power cables or require adapters that are not readily available or that may compromise device performance. Hardware and software configurations might differ from region to region, leading to potential incompatibilities with existing systems. Network switches and access points acquired through the grey market may not operate seamlessly with the buyer’s existing setup, leading to unexpected costs and complexities in achieving a functional network infrastructure.

Warranty and Support Challenges

Another significant risk involves warranties and support services. Manufacturers often stipulate that warranties and support agreements are only valid if the product is purchased through authorised channels. This means that grey market purchases may not be eligible for manufacturer support or warranty claims, leaving buyers with limited recourse if the equipment fails or requires servicing. The process of registering a product for warranty or support typically requires proof of purchase from an authorised reseller, and discrepancies can easily reveal the grey market origin of a product, resulting in denied service claims.

Risk of Counterfeit Products

Perhaps the most concerning risk associated with the grey market is the potential for encountering counterfeit products. The lack of transparency and official oversight in grey market transactions creates an environment ripe for the distribution of counterfeit, substandard, or misrepresented items. These products may bear a close resemblance to genuine items but often fall short in terms of performance, reliability, and safety. The consequences of integrating counterfeit IT equipment into a network can be severe, ranging from operational failures to security vulnerabilities.

While the grey market can offer attractive pricing for IT equipment, the associated risks demand careful consideration. Compatibility issues, warranty and support challenges, and the potential for encountering counterfeit products are significant factors that can undermine the initial cost savings, potentially leading to higher total costs and operational disruptions.

Identifying Grey Market Products

check your grey kit

The ability to identify grey market products before purchase is essential for avoiding the pitfalls discussed earlier. Fortunately, there are a variety of methods of identifying these items, so you can carry out your due diligence before and after purchasing from suppliers.

Price Checks

One of the most glaring indicators of a grey market product is its price. If an offer for IT equipment, such as switches, routers, or access points, comes in significantly lower than the market rate or the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), it warrants a closer look. While there are legitimate deals and discounts to be had, especially during sales events or from overstock, drastic price discrepancies often signal grey market origins. Conducting thorough price comparisons across multiple reputable vendors can help establish a baseline for what constitutes a reasonable discount versus a grey market red flag.

Vendor Verification

The legitimacy of the vendor is another critical factor in identifying grey market products. Authorised resellers and partners are typically listed on manufacturers' websites, providing a straightforward way to verify if a seller is operating within the official distribution network. Buyers should be wary of vendors that:

These characteristics can indicate a seller's potential involvement in the grey market. Engaging directly with manufacturers or authorised distributors for purchase recommendations is also a proactive step in ensuring product authenticity.

Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers

Deals that seem too good to be true often are, especially in the context of high-value IT equipment. Skepticism should be applied to offers that significantly undercut competitors on price without a clear rationale, such as clearance sales or official promotions. Additional red flags include vague product descriptions, the absence of warranty information, or the use of stock images instead of actual photos of the item being sold. Potential buyers should request detailed product information, including serial numbers, which can often be checked against manufacturer databases to verify authenticity and warranty eligibility.

Conducting Checks on Current Equipment

For businesses and individuals who have already purchased IT equipment, conducting periodic checks on current infrastructure is advisable. This can involve verifying serial numbers with manufacturers, assessing warranty status, and ensuring that all devices are receiving updates and support as expected. Identifying grey market items within existing setups allows for corrective measures to be taken, such as seeking out reputable sources for future purchases or upgrading non-compliant equipment to mitigate risks.

Identifying grey market products is a crucial skill in safeguarding IT investments and maintaining operational integrity. By applying rigorous price checks, verifying vendor credentials, scrutinising offers, and conducting regular equipment audits, buyers can significantly reduce the risks associated with grey market transactions.

Protecting Yourself from the Grey Market

grey-market-what-to-look-out-for

In IT procurement, safeguarding against the pitfalls of the grey market is paramount for maintaining the integrity, security, and performance of your technological infrastructure. This section offers guidance on verifying the legitimacy of quotes and products, highlighting the indispensable role of trusted IT providers and the value of forging strong partnerships with official vendors. By emphasising the significance of engaging with reputable partners and suppliers, we aim to arm you with strategies to ensure product authenticity and comprehensive support.

Verifying the Legitimacy of Quotes and Products

  1. Request Detailed Documentation: Always ask for detailed product descriptions, official documentation, and proof of authenticity when receiving quotes. Legitimate vendors will be able to provide serial numbers, warranty information, and direct assurances from the manufacturers.
  2. Utilise Manufacturer Verification Tools: Many manufacturers offer online tools or customer service lines that allow you to verify product serial numbers and warranty status. Utilise these resources to confirm the legitimacy of the products you're considering.
  3. Seek Transparency: Reputable vendors should be transparent about the source of their products. Don't hesitate to ask direct questions about where and how they source their IT equipment. Genuine partners will have no issue disclosing this information.

The Role of Trusted IT Providers and Partnerships

  1. Engage with Authorised Resellers: Purchasing from authorised resellers or directly from the manufacturers is one of the most effective ways to avoid grey market pitfalls. These entities are held to high standards by the manufacturers and are regularly audited to ensure compliance with quality and service benchmarks.
  2. Build Long-Term Relationships: Developing long-term relationships with trusted IT providers offers numerous benefits, including reliability, consistency in quality, and access to expedited support. These providers have a vested interest in maintaining their reputation and will go the extra mile to ensure your satisfaction.
  3. Leverage Vendor Partnerships: Trusted IT providers with established relationships with official vendors can offer invaluable insights and access to exclusive deals, promotions, and updates. Their expertise can guide you through the complexities of IT procurement, ensuring you receive products that are fully supported and compliant with manufacturer standards.

Importance of Reputable Partners and Suppliers

Working with reputable partners and suppliers is crucial for navigating the IT procurement landscape successfully. These entities not only guarantee the authenticity of the products they sell but also provide comprehensive after-sales support, warranty services, and advice. In an industry where technological compatibility, security, and reliability are non-negotiable, the value of establishing a network of trustworthy suppliers cannot be overstated.

By sticking to these guidelines and prioritising relationships with reputable IT providers and official vendors, organisations can significantly mitigate the risks associated with the grey market. Protecting your IT investments begins with informed decision-making, diligence in vendor selection, and a commitment to quality and authenticity.

Opt for Authorised Partners

trusted-partner-to-help-you-avoid-the-grey-market

Opting for authorised resellers and partners when purchasing IT equipment is a decision that offers numerous benefits, from enhanced warranty protection to assured product authenticity.

Warranty Protection

One of the most significant advantages of purchasing through authorised partners is the comprehensive warranty protection that accompanies genuine products. Manufacturers often limit warranty services to items bought from their network of approved sellers, ensuring that any defects or issues are promptly addressed without additional cost. This warranty protection is not just about fixing problems; it's a testament to the product's quality and the manufacturer's commitment to their customers' satisfaction.

Support and Assistance

Authorised resellers and partners have direct access to the manufacturers' resources, including detailed product knowledge, technical support, and advanced training. This direct line not only facilitates a smoother, more efficient resolution of any technical issues but also provides valuable guidance for integrating new technology into existing systems. The level of support available through authorised channels significantly surpasses what might be found in the grey market, where the provenance of products can complicate or nullify support claims.

Peace of Mind and Product Authenticity

Purchasing from authorised sources offers an unmatched level of peace of mind. Buyers can be confident in the authenticity of their products, secure in the knowledge that they are compliant with all relevant regulations and standards. This assurance extends to software licenses, updates, and patches, all of which are crucial for maintaining the security and functionality of IT systems. The risk of counterfeit or tampered products is virtually eliminated, protecting your investment and your network's integrity.

The Value of Established Relationships

Building a relationship with a trusted vendor is invaluable. Over time, these partnerships can yield benefits beyond individual transactions, including access to expert advice, customised solutions, and early notifications of new products and innovations. Authorised partners understand your business and its technological needs, enabling them to anticipate requirements and offer solutions that align with your strategic goals.

DfE Connect the Classroom Funding - Upgrade Your School To A Wireless Network That Lasts

As we head into 2023, it’s no secret that the events of recent years have changed the way many schools approach teaching. After having to adapt to the challenges of delivering remote learning, schools are now facing the prospect of integrating a wave of new laptops and devices into the post-pandemic classroom environment.

It may not come as a surprise, then, if your school’s old wireless network is starting to creak under the pressure.

But there is some good news. Thanks to the UK Government’s Connect the Classroom scheme, you could secure funding for that much needed WiFi upgrade.

What is Connect the Classroom?

Provided by the Department for Education (DfE), Connect the Classroom aims to help schools ensure their connectivity is set for the future. The scheme is used to deliver a high quality wireless network based on the latest WiFi 6 standards, enabling schools to support the increasing demand from devices for the next 10 years.

How can Haptic Networks help me to take advantage of the scheme?

As you read this, we are actively engaged with the DfE in helping them to define solutions for eligible schools, including delivering a Connect the Classroom funded solution to a 7 school multi-academy trust.

We leverage our 15 years of experience in working with schools to ensure your institution receives a solution that is fully DfE compliant, while remaining sympathetic to your school’s existing infrastructure. By partnering with us, we can help you with future-proofing your environment to support current and future teaching and learning requirements.

How do I find out if my school is eligible for DfE funding? 

Schools that have been selected by the DfE for funding will receive an email invitation confirming qualification for the scheme. This is normally sent to a senior member of the school, so please check with your school leadership team if you think you may be eligible. Eligibility is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to your OFSTED rating, location and the condition of your current network.

Are there any specific technical requirements that have to be met to secure the funding?

To ensure your school can benefit from fast and reliable connectivity for years to come, a DfE funded deployment would need to include Access Points capable of WiFi 6 (802.11ax) with a minimum of 2.5Gbs uplink throughput, as well as 20Gb fibre links from edge to core.

As you discuss your requirements with our team, we will work with you to ensure your deployment fully complies with the DfE technical standards so you can make the most of the Connect the Classroom scheme.

What are the next steps to get started?

It’s very easy to get the ball rolling with us:

  1. If your school has been invited by the DfE to apply for funding, give us a call and we can begin to discuss your specific needs.
  2. When we’ve determined the right solution, we’ll then provide you with a quote that is tailored to DfE requirements.
  3. If you’re happy, you’ll then submit your quote to your DfE advisor for funding approval.
  4. When approved, after choosing us as your supplier, we will then work with you to deliver and deploy your future-proofed wireless network.

If your school’s network is grinding to a halt, our friendly team can keep your classroom connected.

Five signs you need cloud WiFi

Everyone needs WiFi to keep their devices online and connected to the web. Unfortunately, once you evolve beyond a residential application the resources needed to manage such a network for a company become quite large.

However, if you are struggling to keep up with the growing demands of your employees and customers for your network then a cloud solution could save the day. Here are five signs that you might need cloud WiFi.

1. Your network is painfully slow

Does your network behave more like the tortoise than the hare? While it can be hard to get decent speeds using hardware solutions, a cloud solution offers lightning-fast connections for your employees and customers.

2. You are not able to handle security procedures properly

Leaving your WiFi network open can cause huge problems quickly. Some of which might even bring legal consequences if somebody does something unsavory using your connection. With a managed cloud WiFi solution none of that is your problem, because you have your own security team taking care of everything.

3. Your current solution is getting too expensive

Using a cloud-based network means less money is needed to invest in hardware or labor to manage the network. That makes cloud solutions cost effective and easy on your budget.

4. You’re unable to scale your current solution

Hardware has limitations, and you may find that your current network is being held back by what you can provide. A cloud solution has no limitations and it can scale as your business grows. It’s incredibly flexible and your employees can access and share files through a variety of devices.

5. Your current solution is too difficult to manage

Are you having a hard time keeping up with your users and what they’re doing? A fully managed cloud WiFi solution allows you to have total visibility and complete control over your network.

However, you can offload the heavy lifting to someone else and cut your IT budget needs, because cloud solutions are managed by their own on-site professionals.

In closing, a cloud WLAN and WiFi solution is a great way to reduce costs for your business and to provide a more reliable network. This allows you to stop worrying about IT issues and spend your time focusing on what really matters.

Interested in implementing a cloud-based WLAN and WiFi system? Contact us today to get free advice from one of our consultants and learn what steps you should take next.

An Essential Guide to Cloud WiFi

Cloud WiFi has been increasingly gaining traction as many enterprises transition from traditional on-premises controllers. Before purchasing Cloud WiFi services, it’s important to consider several factors that directly affect your business.

Between all the marketing campaigns in this highly competitive market, it can be difficult to understand the technical terminology. This essential guide to cloud WiFi breaks down everything you need to know when selecting a cloud WiFi product for your business.

Why Purchase Cloud WiFi?

Cloud WiFi is greatly beneficial for geographically dispersed organisations as it allows control of the entire wireless network from a single interface. It’s easy to set up and offers great flexibility.

Things I need to know about Cloud WiFi

Exploring these considerations shall be unique to your enterprise. It’s crucial to select one that best meets your business requirements.

The Location of Cloud WiFi

Where the cloud WiFi shall be physically placed can highly affect the connectivity. Most enterprise-class WiFi hardware can handle office environments with minor physical obstructions, like cubicles and drywall, but issues may arise in larger facilities.

Additional hardware and software features are often required when operating cloud WiFi in manufacturing plants, outdoor spaces, and retail outlets.

Application and Cloud Data Storage

Another crucial factor to consider is  knowing where the application and cloud data is stored. It’s ideal to select a cloud WiFi provider that offers 100% survivability, so users can continue to access locally operated applications until the connection is restored.

For critical locations where a majority of applications are served off-site, WiFi redundancy can be built in to serve as a backup mechanism, protecting against connection failure.

Features and Functionality

Some cloud WiFi services release beta features to get ahead, whilst others wait until the new features and functionalities are fully polished. The deployment shall depend on the cloud WiFi vendor’s approach.

Security

Cloud WiFi products tend to have comparable enterprise-grade hardware for client data transport, but not all APs can handle the same capacity.

Businesses with a concern regarding the radio frequency (RF) space security should consider a cloud WiFi product that offers a dedicated radio that manages the RF environment, providing always-on and real-time security monitoring.

Some services offer similar functionality with a dual-radio AP, but that radio must be taken offline to free up for RF management and security.

Visibility and Control

Administrators can use visibility and control to identify and set bandwidth maximums to avoid over usage. They also have the ability to create firewall rules that block access to undesired applications.

Some platforms have different application identification and classification features, such as identifying applications based on identifiers that don’t require looking inside each packet. This is effective, however, it compromises accuracy and flexibility when applying policies to certain applications.

Haptic Networks has over a decade of experience and knowledge delivering IT solutions to Education and Public Sector organisations. Contact us for free advice with one of our consultants on how to implement cloud-based WiFi systems!

What is WaaS and Why Does Your Business Need It?

Regardless of the industry, having a fast and secure WiFi network is extremely important to meet business standards. It’s no longer considered a privilege, but a mandatory component for business operations. To support an increasing number of cloud-based applications and mobile devices, more enterprises are turning to WaaS.

What is WaaS?

WaaS, also known as WiFi as a service, is a subscription-based service that combines infrastructure, software, and managed services to offer fast, secure, and reliable networks. They have managed WiFi solutions and improved WiFi connectivity services without the need for in-house staff.

Pro’s of WaaS for Business

There are many advantages to having WiFi as a service for business. With having a reliable WiFi system in place, it can also help to avoid any potential problems.

Cost-Effective

Implementing WaaS is a great cost-effective solution for businesses without compromising performance and scope. With WaaS, there is no need for purchasing enterprise-grade infrastructure and software or hiring a highly specialised team to manage and maintain the systems.

These third party providers offer WiFi maintenance support, WaaS troubleshooting, and other WiFi IT solutions all at a low cost. They already come with fully staffed experts that are ready to help your business at any given time.

Save Valuable Time

Haptic Networks have 24/7 specialised support to troubleshoot WaaS without interrupting business operations. Issues are resolved easily and efficiently, thus saving a lot of valuable time.

Short Life Cycle

Wireless networks tend to have short, costly life cycles as technology is constantly changing to match industry standards. Your business can easily upgrade to the latest systems without having to reinvest in new systems with WaaS.

Security & Trustworthiness

Utilising WiFi as a service for business ensures that your network will always have the latest wireless security infrastructure to keep up with changing threats. It also ensures that you have reliable WiFi systems that are functionally efficiently all the time.

Coverage

Black spots are frequent when it comes to WiFi installations within larger buildings, but WaaS can be implemented to overcome these issues. They provide advice for business and plan out exactly where the WiFi can be installed within your building premises for optimal coverage.

If you have any other questions on how to improve your WiFi systems and the next steps to take, contact us for a free consultation with one of our experts. We offer advice, support, consultation, and even training in many aspects of technology regardless of the industry.

What WIFI Management System is Best for Your Business: On-Premises or Cloud-Based WLAN?

Businesses considering WIFI and WLAN deployment have two options to choose from, on-premises WLAN or cloud-based WLAN. Both methods possess traits that could make either one a better choice for specific businesses – depending on operational needs.

Below, we’ll be examining the pros and cons of both WLAN solutions:

The Best Budgetary Fit

When it comes to on-premises WLAN, a company is responsible for every single machination and element involved in software deployment. They are going to be on the hook for the following ongoing costs:

Unfortunately, this means little flexibility with expenses. Even if WIFI and WLAN aren’t abundantly consumed, businesses are still on the hook for a litany of costs.

Conversely, the cost of cloud-based WLAN adjusts along with the amount of usage, without the upkeep expenses.

Keeping Safe and Secure

In the government and banking industries, security is paramount because they are handling hyper-sensitive information.

Traditionally, on-premises WLAN has been the choice for businesses where privacy and security is a top concern, largely due to company control and customisation. However, cloud-based WIFI services are implementing the latest in wireless security infrastructure that continuously adapts to the various threats posed in today’s climate.

Server Reliability and Maintenance

On-premises systems do have the benefit of immediacy when it comes to system checks since everything is managed in-house.

However, there is somewhat of a misconception that since cloud-based services are handled by a third-party, there are extended waiting periods for maintenance and repairs. The truth is, disruptions are rare with cloud-based services and the technology is highly adaptable, leading to prompt recovery times.

How Seamless Are Updates?

When it comes to on-premises WIFI and WLAN upgrades, it’s a clunky, time-consuming process because each and every device has to be updated manually by each respective employee.

With cloud-based WIFI and WLAN, updates are implemented automatically. The process isn’t at all time-consuming and is generally hassle-free.  

The Ease of Scalability

It’s difficult to effectively scale with on-premises WIFI and WLAN. Since it’s catered specifically to one business, there aren’t many integration options. Additionally, server capacity becomes an issue with the implementation of new services because they’re provided in-house.

Comparatively, cloud-based WIFI makes it easy to add or reduce the number of users, integrates seamlessly with other cloud-based offerings, and server capacity doesn’t matter because extra services are offered by the provider.

Want to find out more about implementing cloud-based WLAN and WIFI systems? Contact us today for a free consultation!

Is It Ethical to Monitor Staff Internet Usage During Breaks?

In recent years, the topic of workplace ethics has continuously grown as it is given more attention and importance. Now more than ever before, HR is focused on the ethical treatment of employees and the things companies can do to promote a healthy work/life balance.

With that said, one important topic that often comes up during the discussion of ethical workplace practices is how employees spend their breaks. Breaks have certainly been recognised as a crucial part of any balanced work day, but Is It Ethical to Monitor Staff Internet Usage During Breaks?

Consider Company Security

The biggest point that should be made and considered during this discussion has little to do with a company’s values and much more to do with a company’s need to protect its infrastructure.

The most critical concern that a company needs to consider when thinking about staff internet usage has to do with the growing risk of viruses and network infections that could potentially damage the company and make systems vulnerable.

For this reason alone, staff internet usage is something that should always be monitored. However, mounting examples exist demonstrating the many reasons why you should be monitoring your employees’ internet usage any time they are in the workplace.

Recently, The Balance Careers published a piece describing two different instances of employees breaching company policy, one of which led to the employee being terminated.

In the first situation, an employee was actually found to be abusing their internet privileges at work by spending multiple hours looking for a new job and even shopping and sorting through recipes while on the clock. The second situation, however, was much worse.

After one employee was reported to have changed the position of their computer so no one else could see their screen, the IT department looked into their internet usage. It was discovered that the employee was downloading pornographic content and watching it at work.

As the article explained, “...if the employer had remained unaware that the employee was viewing porn, the employer could have been put in the position of a potential lawsuit for sexual harassment or a hostile work environment claim.” (The Balance)

From this example alone, it becomes readily apparent that monitoring employee internet usage is paramount to maintaining a productive work environment for everyone--regardless of whether a staff member is "on a break" or on the clock.

In all, there are a handful of risks associated with internet misuse at work, including:

  1. If employees view inappropriate content, it can lead to hostile workplace claims that put the company at risk of a lawsuit.
  2. If employees are able to access social networks and IM sites at work, productivity can suffer as a result.
  3. If employees are able to stream music and/or video at the workplace, it can quickly kill internet speeds and affect other workers.
  4. If employees access a website or click a link that has been infected with spyware, malware, or a phishing scheme, they could put the company at risk.

Educating Your IT Team

In the workplace, every employee should be working together towards creating a supportive and productive environment. That’s why you should clearly lay out the rules for internet usage in the manual and guidebooks, and also take the time to speak with employees about why the rules are in place.

When it comes to your IT department, they should also be well-versed on how employees can and cannot use the company’s internet and devices at work. If someone is alerted of a potential breach of company policy regarding internet usage, the IT department should look further into the employee’s activities to see if there has been a violation.

Filters and other measures can also be implemented which will either block certain content completely, preventing employees from accessing it, to begin with, or they can be set up to alert an administrator when employees do attempt to access such content.

Of course, a company needs to go much further than simply blocking certain websites or monitoring social media usage. In reality, your company must be proactive about security with multiple layers implemented in order to truly keep systems safe and secure.

Steps to Improved Security

Deploying your own company WiFi is probably the first step your company should take so as to monitor device usage in the workplace and prevent misuse from occurring.

The WiFi deployment provided by Haptic will aim to eliminate slow speeds, dead spots, and fix access issues, meaning all of your employees will gain access to a secure Wifi network that you can monitor.

The next step, of course, is installing and setting up the right software so that you are able to monitor internet usage and put some safeguards in place to help prevent misuse. With our specialisation in security, we will take a ground-up approach that will include penetration testing.

We can get your company set up with device and user-level security along with company-wide protocols and our Ongoing Security as a Service (SECaas) protection. These things are absolute must-haves considering that data breaches are on the rise.

The next layer of protection that Haptic Networks can help your company implement is filtering. This is a form of blocking that will prevent users from accessing specific websites and specific types of content.

Aside from blocking pornographic content and the like, your company may also choose to block irrelevant websites that employees should not be using at work, such as social media networks, personal email accounts, shopping websites, and so on.

By filtering such content, you will help keep employees in line with company policy, even at times when they would otherwise disregard company policy (whether intentionally or not).

This can prove to be an extremely valuable implementation on behalf of the company because it can help prevent policy breaches and disagreements from the beginning while keeping the workplace productive and focused.

Looking to learn more about how you can keep your company’s workplace secure and on task? Contact us today for a no obligation chat. You may also be interested in our Network Security Checklist, which can be downloaded here.

3 Ways improving your wireless network benefits you and your organisation

Understanding the significance of having an optimised wireless network is invaluable to modern day businesses; there are a number of issues and risks that can arise when your wireless network is underperforming and you could be doing your company a disservice.

Having a wireless network that is cost effective and efficient can often feel like a struggle but it really doesn’t have to be, in this blog we are highlighting 3 ways that improving your wireless network benefits you and your organisation.

Become More Secure

Adapting your wireless networks allows you to improve your security and eliminate risks associated with older networks.

Improvements can seamlessly integrate with your existing network, security and authentication infrastructures which allows for a much more organic and less disruptive update.

A more secure network allows you to spend less in the long run. There is a wealth of benefits from updating your technology, reducing your threat level from cyber crime to keeping your users safe on your network.

Reduce Your Paper Usage

Gone are the days when everything needs to be on paper, in fact there’s a wealth of reasons why paper use has declined rapidly in the last decade…

From companies being more active and aware about their environmental impact, aiming to reduce your costs, increases in printing expenses, to the introduction of more and more technologies and software that eliminate the need for paper.

One of the benefits of improving your wireless network is the ability to transfer paper based processes and tasks into digital ones; saving time, effort and of course, paper.

Stop Dead Zones

We’ve all experienced this from time to time while on a network, a dead zone or blind spot where it drops out, on top of being frustrating, this limits productivity and loses your company money. This is a common problem with older networks and is normally all but eliminated when you update your wireless system.

It is essential to make sure that there are no areas within your network that has a weak spot, and if there is one, (due to factors outside of your control such as certain building materials) have a strategy in place to counteract it.

____

Here at Haptic Networks we are one of the industry leaders in improving wireless networks for a range of companies; whether it’s to help the company save money, develop their efficiency or to create a stronger competitive advantage, we work with our clients to help them reach their goals.

In our latest free ebook we have highlighted over 10 ways you can improve your operational efficiency and save money by harnessing a better wireless network, to get your copy today click the below button:

DIY Network Security Testing Checklist

In recent years businesses have been subject to exploitations of their lackluster digital security, and with technology changing and the way we work shifting, companies facing more threats than ever before.

With the frequency of hacking, cyber attacks and digital crime on the up and up, companies need to ensure they are secure from these new risks.

Needless to say, it is the case with any business that when you scale you are even more vulnerable, everytime a new user, application, device or guest is added to your network, you increase your risk.

Businesses of all shapes and sizes can be affected, so everyone needs to consider their network’s security; often this is an afterthought and the vulnerabilities can be addressed to keep this from happening at all.

Understanding the ways you are at risk is a great start to keeping your network secure, this is part of the reason we decided to create a quickfire self-help document to expose these weaknesses.

With all of the aforementioned thoughts and trends in mind, we have created the “DIY Network Security Testing Checklist” to allow you and your organisation to check your network security and to help you identify any weaknesses or potential breach points.

The importance of highlighting the areas within your organisation’s network that are vulnerable is paramount to ensuring a secure network moving forwards into the future.

This Do-It-Yourself Network Security Testing Checklist has been created to help IT professionals assess your network for any potential vulnerabilities, threats or risks.

The aim of this comprehensive list is to help you evaluate your network’s security and allows you to highlight any weak spots proactively, not reactively.

Here at Haptic Networks we have worked with countless clients across the world to ensure they have the most effective solutions tailored to their unique needs, speak to one of our expert team today!

Contact Us