Whether you run a law firm in Hauppauge, a medical office in Bohemia, or a marketing agency in Ronkonkoma, offering guest Wi-Fi can improve the experience for clients, visitors, and vendors. But it’s critical to do it safely and securely—the last thing your business needs is a data breach because someone accessed your main network without proper restrictions.
At ETS IT Solutions, we help Long Island businesses stay connected without compromising security. Here’s how to set up a proper guest Wi-Fi network for your office.
Why You Need a Guest Wi-Fi Network
Setting up a dedicated guest network ensures your business stays secure while offering convenience to visitors. Here’s why it matters:
Keeps visitors off your internal business network
Prevents accidental or malicious access to company devices
Keeps bandwidth under control
Looks professional and modern
Can help maintain compliance with industry regulations (HIPAA, etc.)
Step-by-Step: Setting Up a Guest Wi-Fi Network
Step 1: Access Your Router or Firewall Settings
Use a computer connected to your network. Enter your router’s IP address (usually something like 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1) into your web browser. You’ll need the admin username and password.
If you’re using a business-grade firewall like Unifi, SonicWall, or Cisco Meraki, login through your admin portal or controller software.
Step 2: Enable Guest Network Option
Look for a section called “Guest Network,” “Wireless Settings,” or “SSID Settings.” Turn on the guest Wi-Fi option.
You can name it something clear like:
[YourBusinessName]_GuestGuestWiFi_RonkonkomaOffice
Step 3: Set Up Password Protection
Even for guest Wi-Fi, don’t leave it open. Use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption and set a password that you can change periodically.
Avoid using the same password as your main network.
Step 4: Enable Network Isolation
This step is key for security. Make sure the guest network cannot access your internal devices like:
Office printers
Workstations
Shared drives
Network cameras
This setting may appear as:
“Access Intranet: Off”
“AP Isolation: On”
“Client Isolation: Enabled”
Step 5: Limit Bandwidth and Access Time
If supported by your router, configure limits on guest usage:
Bandwidth caps (e.g., 5Mbps down, 1Mbps up)
Time-based access (e.g., only between 9am–5pm)
Number of connected devices
This ensures your business-critical operations aren’t slowed down by guest usage.
Step 6: Test Your Guest Network
Before announcing it, test the network:
Can devices connect?
Can they access the internet?
Can they reach your main network? (They shouldn’t.)
Need help setting up a secure, professional guest Wi-Fi network? We help small and mid-sized businesses across Ronkonkoma, Bohemia, Hauppauge, and beyond with:
Network configuration and security
Office Wi-Fi upgrades and expansions
Firewalls and access controls
Compliance with HIPAA, NY SHIELD Act, and more
Whether you’re opening a new location or need to segment your current network, we can help you do it the right way.
