Quick Bits: 9 Experts on the Best Home Network Security Options

Industry Experts Answer: What is your recommendation to clients seeking the best home network security solution?

For a highly secure residential network solution we turn to an enterprise-grade solution, Cisco Meraki. The Cisco Meraki Router/Firewall is constantly being updated with the latest in software patches and security features. For added protection you can also enable a hardware-based intrusion prevention system (IPS).

– Chris Smith, Cloud9 Smart, New York City

The Loop works hard to remind clients that they need to update passwords and personalize their network for themselves. The biggest security gap we’ve seen are clients that either leave their network devices to the defaults from the factory or use the same password across all devices, allowing a hacker to gain access to everything once they get one password.

– Eric Crawford, The Loop, Boise, ID

The “best” is relative and can often be misconstrued for easy to get and easy to use. However, our recommendation would be to choose a U.S.-based company like Ubiquiti or Cisco where their primary business is not data mining (like Amazon or Google). Both of these companies make excellent security solution products.

– Heather Sidorowicz, Southtown Audio Video, Hamburg, NY

We typically lean toward Pakedge and Luxul for our network needs because they not only support good network security but also home automation and AV systems. The second big security need that I personally use as a standard is to separate the network (VLAN or Pakedge Zones) into two important groups. The first is the group of all hard-wired and wireless devices that communicate primarily only within the home. The second group is consumer-type devices that only communicate with a cloud service on the internet. This ensures that those devices that may be the easiest to hack do not have access to the devices and information that are important to the consumer.

– Joe Whitaker, The Thoughtful Home, St. Louis, MO and Dallas, TX

My recommendation is that clients consult an expert to ensure that they are getting an appropriate security system for their home. Network security changes on an hourly basis so working with someone who is passionate about this will result in the best solution. A good network security system starts with adding a strong passcode to your Wi-Fi network and using complex passwords. I know that may seem simple, but it is shocking how often we find luxury homes with unprotected wireless networks and default passwords still in place.

– Travis Leo, Residential Systems, Littleton, CO

For clients looking for the best network security solution I would always recommend enterprise-grade equipment and avoid consumer-grade solutions, especially from brands that rely on generating revenue from selling user data (i.e. Google and Amazon). We have been relying on Sophos security appliances for UTM (unified threat management) and firewall protection, [which] large enterprise, financial institutions and government organization depend on to protect their networks.

– Eli Weinkle, NXT AV, Orange County, CA

As we utilize and depend on our residential networks in more and more areas of our life, network security has become very important. We recommend enterprise-level networking components to improve general network performance and coverage, as well as providing proper network security from “uninvited” sources. These security measures include provision and implementation of full featured routers/firewall appliances that can be configured to block unwanted access, along with managed Ethernet switches to provide controlled access and the option of multiple VLANs.

– Barry Reiner, InnerSpace Electronics, Mt. Kisco, NY

We always start with high-quality networking hardware from companies like Luxul or Pakedge. From there we recommend using robust passwords on for accessing any network hardware as well as getting on the home’s WiFi and then creating a separate guest WiFi network to give guests Internet access, but not access to your devices.

– John Sciacca, Custom Theater and Audio, Myrtle Beach, SC

For our more security conscious clients we have installed fire walls, network segmentation, and have even had a client ask for a VPN router. But, for most clients the ISP’s provided modem/router firewall is sufficient security for their home network and doesn’t add any additional cost to the project.

– Andy Bang, Millennium Sounds, Indianapolis, IN