Why Private Networks Are Replacing Public Wi-Fi for Enterprises
- 15
- |
- 16 February 2026
- |
- 6 minutes
We operate in an increasingly AI-driven and connected world with the number of IoT devices expected to hit a massive 39 billion in 2030.
In this hyper-connected world, the hybrid model of work from anywhere has increasingly blurred the digital perimeter of the workplace. Today, working professionals are expected to stay connected and carry on their daily tasks whether they are at their main office, branch office, home or a co-working space, café, airport lounge or hotel lobby.
However, the joy of ‘connect anywhere and work’ has been diluted by new threats and actors lurking in cyberspace and is urging CISO to build stronger walls around enterprise security and management. Fortifying business-critical, high-bandwidth traffic and checkpoints in this open and borderless digital landscape is not only more complex but also critical. It adds to their existing headaches of managing complex IT infrastructure in-house with high associated costs.
Therefore, we see how, in 2026, comprehensive security, data privacy, and network controls and performance have become bigger priorities for digitally driven enterprises who want sustained competitiveness and growth. Their top executives have realised that while a high-performing, always-on dedicated internet connection is their digital lifeline, it must also be secure at its core and perimeter.
At the gateway between the client server and the internet connectivity, the firewall is the first checkpoint of defence for enterprises which must be improved with urgency. This is why these decision-makers are increasingly considering the merits of a managed firewall approach in a private environment rather than the convenience of open access. For them, it isn't just a matter of speed – It is the clear difference between assurance of safety and exposure.
Here, ACT Secured Internet Leased Line provides a managed firewall solution that handles everything from installation, configuration, monitoring and maintenance of the hardware to better protect the enterprise’s dedicated, high-speed internet connection.
Firewall in Private Environments vs. Open Access in Public Wi-Fi: Why the Difference Matters
Modern enterprises expect work to happen from anywhere. To some extent, this standard expectation is being addressed because everywhere we go, there are Wi-Fi options that we can connect to, be it for non-stop entertainment or business on the go.
Modern enterprises expect work to happen from anywhere. To some extent, this standard expectation is being addressed because everywhere we go, there are Wi-Fi options that we can connect to, be it for non-stop entertainment or business on the go.
Exposure Versus Control
Public Wi-Fi is designed for open access to all users and aimed at convenience. While secure, encrypted access is becoming the standard for 2026, some public venues may still offer open networks to keep up their promise of convenience. By enabling open on-boarding without friction, these environments give up the facility to enforce granular security policies.
In contrast, private network environments are essentially driven by controls and checkpoints defined around who connects, what devices are allowed and how traffic flows in and out. These form closed-loop systems where every user is linked to an identity and every data packet is a known quantity
From a security standpoint, open access means more threat exposure while private connectivity strives for assurance
By definition, a managed firewall is only as effective as the policy and identity frameworks it supports. In open access Wi-Fi settings, these frameworks simply do not exist.
Using a Managed Firewall in a Private Environment
In private networks, a managed firewall is not just a digital shield safeguarding the perimeter. It is also a driver of policy enforcement with sophisticated abilities to understand specific business context. Unlike the conventional set-it-and-forget-it hardware implementations, a managed firewall introduces capabilities such as:
● Deep packet inspection and application-level control: to ensure no malicious code is concealed within traffic that looks legitimate. It enables detection, identifies the exact app or service that originated the threat and helps decides how to handle it.
● Segmentation of users, devices, and applications: to ensure no malicious to contain potential breaches. For example, a visitor in the lobby uses a separate guest Wi-Fi and cannot see the data records of the accounting department.
Intrusion detection and prevention systems: to actively hunt for patterns that indicate a cyberattack. This ability helps automatically deny or drop suspicious connections before they can hit their target
Protection from malware and ransomware attacks
Continuous monitoring, patching, and rule optimisation: to counter new zero-day threats and optimised by security teams to align with evolving business risks
Most importantly, these controls are not generic applications but customised to the specific business risk.
Why Public Wi-Fi Cannot Offer the Same Protection
In public Wi-Fi, security typically includes:
● Basic perimeter controls
● Shared encryption keys
● Minimal device authentication
● No user-specific policy enforcement
Users share the same network, making it easier for:
● Man-in-the-middle attacks
● Credential harvesting using rogue access points
● Session hijacking
In such scenarios, a firewall installed by the service provider of say, the café’s Wi-Fi is equipped to protect their hardware. It will not be sufficient to protect individual user data or sensitive information of enterprises using the open network.
Risk Implications for Enterprises
When enterprises allow employees to operate on unmanaged public network, they face an expansion of the attack surface.
When employees use open access Wi-Fi:
● Corporate credentials may pass through unsecured networks. Even if a single set of corporate credentials is intercepted on an open network, it is possible for an attacker to enter the enterprise’s cloud environment containing vital business data.
● VPN misconfigurations expose internal systems
● Shadow IT usage can increase. Content filtering measures are often missing in public Wi-Fi which allows employees to access unauthorised, insecure third-party apps to perform work tasks.
● Compliance requirements (ISO, DPDP) which mandate strict data management are not met. It also makes enterprises liable to financial and legal penalties if sensitive client data is processed over an unmanaged, open network.
The traditional virtual private network (VPN) service used to enable remote access to corporate systems also need to be improved. Typically, they permit any authenticated user, broad-based access to any and all network resources. This means even dormant VPN accounts can be used by hackers to intercept enterprise data and compromise systems across the network. Stronger, more sophisticated security controls are required today.
As a result, enterprises are realising how non-managed public Wi-Fi expands their attack surface and how a managed firewall in a private environment reduces it.
The Move to Always-On Managed Security
To address this need, modern enterprises are moving away from device-centric, location-based security models to a policy-driven, always-on network environment with a firewall that includes end to end management.
Modern enterprises operating in the modern threat landscape seek:
● A robust and scalable private network infrastructure
● Managed Wi-Fi with integrated firewalls
● Intelligent traffic management with integrated security and policy measures
● AI-driven, proactive threat monitoring and detection
ACT Secured Internet Leased Line meets these requirements by combining dedicated, high-speed internet with built-in enterprise-grade firewall. This includes a complete managed service to ensure the network is safe, scalable and catalyses enterprise growth.
Advantages of ACT Secured Internet Leased Line
Within private network environments, our managed firewall solution delivers:
● Enhanced threat protection through
o Proactive detection and prevention of malware, viruses, unauthorised access, zero-day attempts using AI capabilities integrated into the firewall
o SSL inspection
o Filtering and blocking unauthorised apps and urls
o Ensuring safe VPN connections
● Simplified management services including:
● Cost-efficient, flexible subscription-based offering without high upfront investments
● 24x7 monitoring, policy management, timely firmware upgrades to patch security vulnerabilities, licence renewals, hassle-free maintenance
● Deployment within 7 days
● Real-time visibility into application usage and compliance-ready reports
● Reliable support and timely incident response and resolution
These support the essential shift for networks to become a business enabler by improving threat detection, performance and ensuring stability.
Becoming future-ready with ACT Secured Internet Leased Line
Open access networks were meant to enable users to conveniently browse the news or social media while in transit or visiting public spaces like a library or coffee shop. These were never intended to be the backbone of enterprise operations.
For those entrusted with sensitive data, regulated workloads and mission-critical operations, relying on open access Wi-Fi without layered security is no longer feasible. Their future as a resilient enterprise rests in managed environments such as ACT Secured Internet Leased Line where network security does not hinder work, but is the actual foundation that makes work possible.
Please wait while we redirect you
