'How to Maintain Good Network Infrastructure to Keep Data Flowing at Your Nonprofit' techsoup nonprofit
Even before COVID-19 forced many organizations to implement work-from-home protocols, nonprofits had become increasingly reliant on digital communications. Whether staff members are working from home or the office, your organization's network infrastructure connects your organization to the world.
Local networks remain critical to modern nonprofit work. Very few organizations are 100 percent virtual. Many nonprofits still require a "home base" for servers, backups, networked computers, and other essential technology. Even remote workers often rely on some parts of their organization’s local network infrastructure.
This is especially true for how users access the network , how data enters the network , and even the physical security of your IT . Staff members are accessing networks from different locations using their own devices and Internet connections. This can complicate your efforts to provide seamless access for staff while also preventing unauthorized access and guarding against security risks.
Single sign-on is one way of maintaining a single point of entry to your network to prevent unauthorized entry while also giving users a convenient way to access tools and data. SSO is useful whether staff members are primarily in the office or at home. Other steps you can take to strengthen your office network infrastructure include installing software that lets you set alerts to notify you about unusual activity or poor performance, or that creates scenarios that test your network performance under certain circumstances. If you discover weaknesses, you can then create an improvement plan to address them.
Connected devices can include phones, tablets, laptops, and other "smart" devices. The hardware usually includes a modem that connects to your Internet service provider and a wireless router that transmits and receives wireless signals. Plan for both multidirectional and unidirectional access points. In the middle of the room, you want the signal to go everywhere, but along exterior walls, you'll want to make sure the signal travels in toward your team.
Heat mapping tools exist to help users pinpoint the strength of their signal. Once you have a good sense of where coverage is weak, low-cost Wi-Fi range extenders can give the signal a boost or help staff members work around immovable barriers.Internet performance is an essential part of a functioning network. And while your organization can pay an Internet service provider for higher speeds, you might not need to. Many Internet slowdowns are a result of practices, not specifications.