Aerohive Networks, a Cloud†Networking leader, announced a series of network-compliance and optimization enhancements for retailers, including high-density and reliable network-access features with the Wi-Fi Alliance’s new Vantage program, and PCI 3.2 reporting in HiveManager for improved compliance when handling sensitive customer data. Aerohive’s new performance and security updates help retailers deliver consistent, reliable, and compliant connectivity in most any location.
To support the growing number of connected mobile and IoT devices in retail environments, and as the dependence on wireless access increases for both front-of-house and backend operations, retailers are having to stay focused on their infrastructure’s capacity and security capabilities to prevent breaches, outages, and lost customer-engagement opportunities. Retailers operating in malls, shops, and urban areas that are implementing digital initiatives understand that enterprise-grade connectivity is crucial to the underlying success of customer engagement and experience, but often challenging RF environments and oversubscribed networks are creating disruption to these efforts.
Through the implementation of the Wi-Fi Alliance Vantage feature sets, combined with Aerohive’s unique software-defined architecture and radio technologies, retailers are able to ensure higher levels of reliability, adaptability, and scale to accommodate continually changing and challenging conditions.
- Aerohive’s dual 5-GHz radio access points (APs), now with automated switchover, provide the right amount of 2.4 and 5-GHz coverage in any area by detecting the surrounding coverage and automatically adjusting the software-defined radio to broadcast on the frequency most-needed in the environment – including, the ability to disable it if the coverage is already sufficient, and re-enable when needed.
- All Aerohive APs support 802.11r, k, and v, which deliver fast and secure roaming in highly mobile environments. These protocols, when combined with the Agile Multiband and 802.11ac features available in Aerohive APs, enable retailers to implement high-performance Wi-Fi Alliance Vantage-supported network access.
- Underpinning Aerohive’s radio technologies is its software-defined Wi-Fi architecture, de-centralizing network control for increased adaptability, resiliency, and scale for networks that need to respond to ever changing connectivity needs.
Connecting customer, terminal, sensor devices, etc. is only half the challenge; doing so securely is the other. Retailers are witnessing an increasing number of digital attacks and threats to their business and are facing growing pressure to tighten network controls and privacy. HiveManager’s PCI 3.2 reporting is helping retailers gain greater visibility into their network security provisions, while Aerohive’s edge access controls, including its upcoming A3†technology, help ensure that only authorized and compliant client devices are granted access.
- Aerohive’s HiveManager now provides a comprehensive and scheduled report to detect and inform regarding PCI DSS 3.2 compliance. The report delivers information on the environment, including per-section compliance information with details for how to resolve the issue if one is detected.
- A3, which will be introduced in Q2 of 2018, will provide a comprehensive portfolio of access-management functionality to enable onboarding and security for Internet of Things (IoT), Visitors, BYOD, and standard wired and wireless clients. The Aerohive A3†solution includes capabilities to deliver a complete, secure access solution, such as automated device provisioning, device profiling and network access control, self-service onboarding, along with visitor/guest access, all without the operational complexities associated with competing offerings.
An already strong choice for retail customers with its Cloud-Managed SD-LAN and SD-WAN access solutions, Aerohive’s latest updates help retailers deliver a greater customer experience while strengthening network and data protection.
