What is a Network Assessment and why is important for your business?

A network assessment, delivered through managed IT services, is a technical process that evaluates the current state of a company's network infrastructure, identifying vulnerabilities, optimizing configurations, and ensuring efficient and secure operation.

Also known as a wireless network assessment, this analysis is essential for businesses that rely on stable connectivity, as it helps prevent security incidents and failures that could impact productivity.

With the implementation of enterprise networking solutions, this analysis can be performed easily and effectively.

What does a Wireless Network Assessment involve?

There are different types of wireless network assessments, each with a specific focus, and they can be conducted in three modes:

• Passive: Monitors network traffic without transmitting data, identifying coverage and interference.
• Active: Connects to the network to measure actual performance in data transmission and reception.
• Predictive: Uses specialized software to simulate the network environment before physical installation.

To conduct a proper assessment, it’s essential to identify various critical elements. The following checklist will help you address each one to ensure optimal performance of your enterprise network.

Network Assessment checklist:

During a network assessment, various technical aspects are analyzed, including:

• Network topology: Identification of the physical and logical structure of the network.
• Configurations and authorizations: Review of permissions, user access, and device configurations.
• Wireless access points: Analysis of routers, repeaters, and other devices that enable wireless connectivity.
• Security and risks: Evaluation of potential threats such as outdated software or lack of device redundancy.
• Performance and efficiency: Detection of latency issues, network outages, and resource optimization.

This may seem like a complex process, but with the right technology solutions, it becomes simple, and even automated.

What tools are used in a Network Assessment?

To carry out an assessment, IT specialists can use a variety of specialized tools. Among the most notable network assessment software are:

• WLAN Assessment tools: Provide specific analysis for wireless networks by reviewing access point configurations and signal coverage to ensure stable and secure connectivity.
• Advanced tools for Wi-Fi network design and optimization: Used to map signal strength, identify interference, and improve wireless network performance.
• Cisco Meraki: This cloud-based management platform allows you to monitor network performance and security in real time, making it easier to detect issues and apply improvements from a centralized dashboard.

Explore how a Cisco Partner can optimize your network and reduce costs

Conducting regular network assessments with the help of these tools enables businesses to optimize their IT infrastructure, ensuring efficient and secure performance

Advantages of Wireless Network Assessment with Cisco tools

• Optimized coverage and reduced interference by eliminating dead zones and improving user experience.
• Implement security measures to protect information and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
• Minimize the impact of network failures by enabling fast issue detection and resolution.
• Analyze the network’s current capacity and design strategies to support more devices and higher data demands in the future.
• Enhanced network security through a dedicated network security assessment.

The importance of a Network Security Assessment

Wireless connections are a critical point in the security of any enterprise network. A wireless network assessment helps detect vulnerabilities in access points such as:

• IoT devices and peripherals (printers, scanners, smart TVs)
• Unauthorized access and permissions
• Misconfigured Wi-Fi networks
• Pending security patches

A wireless security assessment can be performed either remotely or onsite, using tools like Cisco Meraki.

Its centralized dashboard provides detailed visibility into your network, helping prevent and respond to any incidents.

It is recommended to perform at least one assessment per year, although for critical networks, assessments every six months or after any major infrastructure change are advised.

Optimize your network cost-effectively with PlanNet and Cisco

At PlanNet, as a Cisco Partner, we deliver and implement managed IT services and solutions for network security assessment and monitoring, such as Cisco Meraki, to ensure stability, security, and efficiency for any business. With the Cisco networking solutions we help you implement, you can identify risks, optimize configurations, and strengthen the security of wireless connections to avoid costly downtime and protect critical information, all in a cost-effective way.

Contact us and request an IT consulting service to identify your company’s technology needs and start benefiting from a more secure and efficient infrastructure.