The Invisible Achilles’ Heel of Network Security

The Invisible Achilles’ Heel of Network Security

Not too long ago, we tweeted an article about the biggest hacks of 2018 and  yet another has just been revealed. This is becoming commonplace. The trend seems to be indicating that too many people have become complacent in their security protection. Hacking of any company’s data is BIG business – more so than most people realize.

According to CSO Online  about 58 records are stolen EVERY SECOND! Even though smaller breaches go unreported, larger ones are usually reported and, at an estimated average cost of $141 per record, the bill for a breach can be staggering.

Sticking your corporate head in the sand and saying “It won’t happen to me” is a big mistake. It is far better to put resources in place to ensure you have done everything you can, to defend yourself. Unfortunately, firewalls, anti-virus, anti-malware, strong passwords, biometric devices, and physical security measures are not always good enough. As a business manager (or owner) you also need to train your IT staff in what to look for that may indicate a threat, what to do during an attack, and how to mitigate potential future intrusions… BUT there is another layer of weakness that is often overlooked…

You may remember the story, from Greek mythology, of Achilles. He was the baby who, it was foretold, would die young. His mother took him to the river Styx, and dipped him in, holding him by the heel, in the hope that the magical water would give him the power of invincibility. Into adulthood, he survived many battles however, one day, a poisonous arrow was shot at him and hit him in the (un-dipped) heel. He died soon afterwards.

Forbes  revealed that, even after you have spent money on putting a strong security protocol in place to protect your company, and trained your IT team, your other (non-IT) employees can cause your company’s security downfall. Any employees who fail to follow simple security-oriented steps (either accidentally or deliberately) can cause gaping holes in otherwise competent network security.

It doesn’t matter how big or small your company is, employees can still be the cause of major weaknesses in your network security. Even if you think that training them is going to be more than the current budget can handle, that price, whatever it may be, is still going to calculate out as being significantly less than the cost of mitigating the devastating result of a full-scale breach.

Some of the old phrases or “sayings”, that we all heard our Grannies tell us, containing their sage wisdom, have never been more appropriate: “a stitch in time, saves nine” advises us that it is better to make your employees aware of the basics BEFORE they let you down, and potentially cost you a fortune, than leaving it until it is too late, and then being forced to “close the barn door after the horse has bolted”!

Training ALL your employees < not just your IT team > in network security is essential, because your company may already possess its invisible “Achilles’ heel”.

NC-Expert has been aware of this problem for a long time and offers training classes in network security – both for IT professionals AND for non-technical employees.

Contact us TODAY to discuss how we can help your employees prevent disaster!

===
Non-Technical Security Training:

  • CertNexus’ CyberSAFE
  • also NC-Expert exclusive training (contact us for details)

===
Professional Network Security:

===
If you would like to learn more about how NC-Expert can help,  contact us TODAY  !

NC-Expert Blog

By Admin February 2, 2026
In today’s fast-evolving IT landscape, professionals who continuously expand their technical capabilities stand out in increasingly competitive promotions and job markets. Among the areas experiencing explosive growth, wireless networking has emerged as a cornerstone of modern infrastructure. From enterprise Wi-Fi deployments, to mission-critical IoT systems, and pervasive mobile connectivity, wireless skills are now indispensable for ambitious IT engineers. Earning certifications in wireless networking doesn’t just validate your knowledge, it catalyzes your career progression by opening doors to higher-level roles, deeper specialization, and accelerated professional recognition. In this blog, we’ll explore how wireless certifications, especially those from CWNP and CompTIA, help IT engineers develop from fundamental understanding to true experts in wireless technologies. Why Wireless Expertise Matters for IT Engineers Empty heading Wireless networks are no longer optional; they’re essential. Modern enterprises rely on Wi-Fi for daily operations in offices, retail environments, hospitals, campuses, and logistics centers. Technologies like Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 are pushing performance and reliability to new heights, while trends such as IoT, industrial automation, and edge computing broaden the scope of wireless connectivity. This rapid growth has created a global demand for professionals who can design, secure, troubleshoot, and optimize wireless networks. As organizations prioritize mobility, reduce hardware overheads, apply digital transformation initiatives, and implement high-density connectivity, engineers equipped with wireless expertise are increasingly valuable. Certified professionals not only understand the theory but can apply it in real-world environments: a difference that employers are willing to reward with better roles, more responsibilities, and higher compensation.
By Rie January 5, 2026
For more than two decades, Wi-Fi has quietly evolved from a convenience technology into a mission-critical utility. Now we’re in 2026, we can look back at 2025 and review wireless connectivity which underpinned nearly every digital experience: from enterprise productivity and cloud services to healthcare, education, retail, manufacturing, and smart infrastructure. Against this backdrop, Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) has emerged as the most ambitious leap forward yet. But as with every new wireless generation, the real story of Wi-Fi 7 in 2025 was not just about theoretical speeds or marketing headlines. It was about adoption, operational reality, and practical impact, and what IT engineers needed to understand as networks transitioned from Wi-Fi 6/6E into the next era.
By Admin December 5, 2025
Nice to Have vs. Essential Empty heading Empty heading Wireless networking is no longer a “nice to have” skill... it’s mission-critical. From healthcare and education to enterprise, manufacturing, and public safety, organizations depend on reliable, secure, and high-performing Wi-Fi. As a result, employers are looking for professionals who don’t just know Wi-Fi, but understand how to design, deploy, secure, and troubleshoot it effectively. Empty heading pty heading So, what specific skills are employers looking for, and how can professionals demonstrate they have them?  Below are the top 10 Wi-Fi skills in demand today, and how CWNP® (Certified Wireless Network Professional) training helps deliver each one.