Modern businesses rely heavily on fast, stable internet. Downtime, slow speeds, and frequent disruptions can lead to decreased productivity, employee frustration, and lost customers. So how can you optimize your company's network to run smoothly and without unnecessary disruptions? In this article, we'll look at the key causes of internet problems in your business and how to effectively solve them.
Causes of Internet Problems in the Company
Before we start optimizing our network, it’s worth understanding what most often causes a drop in internet speed in a company. Here are the most common causes:
Outdated equipment
Many businesses still use older routers, switches, and cables that aren’t designed to support modern networking standards. These devices can cause long delays in data transfer and limit bandwidth.
Excessive network load
Every device in a company uses network resources. If many employees are videoconferencing, downloading large files, or using cloud applications at the same time, the internet can slow down.
No traffic prioritization
Some services, such as VoIP (Internet telephony) or videoconferencing, require low latency and a stable connection. Without proper Quality of Service (QoS) configuration, they may be slow or cause calls to drop.
Problems with your internet provider
If your company is using an insufficient internet package or your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is not delivering the promised speed, you may want to consider changing your provider.
Modern network - fast and reliable internet in the company
Modernizing your company's network is the first step to ensuring fast, reliable internet. What should you do?
Replacing old equipment
- Invest in modern routers and switches that support Wifi 6 and gigabit wired connections.
- Replace your old wiring with Category 6 cables or higher, which will increase throughput.
Separation of network traffic
To prevent network congestion, it is worth dividing it into separate segments (VLANs). This will allow critical applications to have dedicated resources, which will increase their stability.
Additional internet protection in case of failure
Businesses for which network availability is critical should consider:
Backup link – a second Internet provider in the event of a failure of the main connection.
Load balancing – balancing traffic across multiple Internet connections.
Better coverage and smoother connection – how to improve your Wi-Fi network?
Optimal placement of routers and access points
- The router should be placed centrally in the office, away from walls and devices that interfere with the signal.
- In large offices it is worth using Mesh network, which will increase Wi-Fi range and improve connection quality.
Changing the Wi-Fi channel
If the network is slow, it may be congested by other devices in the area. It's worth manually changing the Wi-Fi channel to a less congested one.
Quality of Service(QoS) configuration
Quality of Service (QoS) is a network traffic management technique that allows you to prioritize critical applications and services so that your most important tasks run smoothly, even when the network is busy.
How does QoS work? QoS analyzes network traffic and assigns different priorities to it. For example:
- • Najwyższy priorytet For videoconferencing, VoIP, ERP systems – this will ensure that calls via Teams or Zoom will not be interrupted.
- • Średni priorytet For browsing websites and emails – they are less sensitive to delays.
- • Najniższy priorytet For downloading large files, streaming videos or social media – this limits the possibility of slowing down key processes.
Example:
The company holds daily online meetings via Zoom. Without QoS, calls often stutter as other employees simultaneously download large files. Once QoS is set up, Zoom is prioritized and works smoothly, even when the network is heavily loaded.
How to implement QoS in your company?
- • Nowoczesne routery i przełączniki mają opcje QoS w panelu administracyjnym – wystarczy określić, które aplikacje mają priorytet.
- • W większych firmach warto wdrożyć rozwiązania klasy Enterprise, e.g. managed switches with advanced QoS configuration.
QoS makes your company's internet run smoother, eliminating issues with lags and delays.
Thanks to this development, both IT specialists and less technical people will find useful information and specific examples of action.
Monitoring and analysis of network traffic
- Tools such as PRTG Network Monitor Whether Wireshark help identify network problems.
- Regular monitoring allows you to detect unwanted applications and optimize bandwidth usage.
Security and protection against threats
Not only speed, but also network security is crucial. How to protect your company's internet?
Firewall and IDS/IPS systems
- Firewall blocks unauthorized traffic and protects your network from cyberattacks.
- IDS/IPS systems detect and prevent network intrusions.
Software updates
Regularly updating software on routers, servers, and network devices is a key element of network security and performance. Many hacker attacks use known vulnerabilities in legacy software, therefore their elimination is necessary.
How often should you update your software?
- • Krytyczne poprawki bezpieczeństwa - must be installed immediately after their release by the manufacturer.
- • Firmware urządzeń sieciowych (routery, przełączniki, firewalle) - on average once every 3–6 months, but it is worth following the manufacturer's announcements.
- • Systemy operacyjne serwerów i komputerów firmowych - updates must be performed every month (e.g. Windows Update).
- • Oprogramowanie firmowe (np. ERP, CRM, VoIP) – depending on the supplier’s recommendations, but it is worth conducting a review every 3–6 months.
If a company’s router hasn’t been updated in a year, it could contain vulnerabilities that could allow cybercriminals to take over. A hacker could use the vulnerability to eavesdrop on Internet traffic or redirect users to fake sites. The solution? Automatic updates where possible, and regular IT security audits.
VPN implementation
VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a technology that encrypts your internet connection, providing secure access to company resources, especially for remote workers.
Why is VPN important?
- • Chroni dane przed podsłuchiwaniem – without a VPN, data sent over public Wi-Fi (e.g. in a coffee shop) can be intercepted by third parties.
- • Umożliwia bezpieczny dostęp do firmowej sieci – the employee connects to the VPN, which allows him to use resources as if he were in the office.
- • Ogranicza dostęp do wrażliwych danych – Administrators can set up VPNs so that only authorized people can access specific files or systems.
Types of VPNs used in businesses:
- • Site-to-Site VPN – connects company branches in different locations.
- • Remote Access VPN – allows employees to connect to the corporate network from anywhere.
Application example:
XYZ Company employs remote workers who log into their CRM system. With VPN, their connection is encrypted, preventing customer data from leaking.
It is good practice to implement two-factor authentication (2FA) for VPN access to further secure company resources.
Training for employees
Often, employees themselves unknowingly expose the company network to attacks, e.g. by clicking suspicious links, downloading infected files or using weak passwords. Regular training in cybersecurity help minimize these risks and raise awareness within the company.
The most important topics worth discussing during training:
- How to create strong passwords? – For example, instead of the password "123456" it is better to use phrases like "MojeBiuroMa3Pietra!".
- Phishing warnings – Pracownicy powinni wiedzieć, jak rozpoznać podejrzane e-maile podszywające się pod banki czy dostawców usług.
- Mobile device security – If employees use their own laptops or phones for work, they should know how to protect them against attacks.
- Public Wi-Fi Rules – For example, logging into company systems from free Wi-Fi in a coffee shop without using a VPN could expose the company to data leaks.
- Protection against social engineering – An example would be an attack in which a fraudster impersonates a superior and asks for urgent confidential information to be sent.
Training should be carried out regularly, and not just as a one-time meeting. It is also a good idea to conduct safety tests, e.g. sending controlled phishing emails to test the team's vigilance.
Investing in employee education is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your company's network from threats!
Implementation of cloud solutions and virtualization
Modern businesses are increasingly moving their resources to the cloud. How can this help optimize the internet?
Benefits of virtualization
- Virtualization pozwala na more efficient management of IT resources and reducing network load.
- Possibility dynamic scaling server environment as needed.
Cloud data storage
- The cloud eliminates the need to transfer large files within the network – users can use them online instead.
- Bandwidth consumption is reduced and data is better secured.
Use business applications more efficiently
Services such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace or Slack operate in the cloud and enable fast communication without overloading the company network.
Improving the quality of the internet in your company is not only faster work, but also greater efficiency and safety. By modernizing your equipment, prioritizing traffic, and using cloud technologies, you can achieve better results in your daily operations.
If you want to implement modern network solutions, use our services. We offer network optimization, QoS configuration, implementation of cloud solutions and advanced IT security systems. Skontaktuj się z nami i przekonaj się, jak możemy poprawić wydajność Twojej sieci firmowej!
English 
Polski