"We should probably get our network looked at" is a sentence we hear a lot. Here is exactly what "looked at" should mean. This is the 12-point checklist we work through in every assessment — use it to audit your own environment, or as a yardstick for any provider you hire.
Foundation
- Topology & documentation. Is there an accurate, current map of the network? If not, that is finding number one.
- Internet & WAN links. Capacity, redundancy, and how sites connect to each other and the cloud.
- Switching health. Age, capacity, port errors, and whether anything is running hot or near end-of-life.
- Firmware & lifecycle. Out-of-date or unsupported gear is both a performance and a security risk.
Security
- Firewall & policy. Rule hygiene, what is exposed, and whether policy matches reality.
- Segmentation. Are guests, payments, cameras, and staff actually separated?
- Remote access. How users and vendors connect in — and whether it is locked down.
- Backups & recovery. What happens when something fails, and how fast you recover.
Wireless & edge
- WiFi coverage & capacity. Signal where devices are, and enough of it.
- PoE budget. Whether switches can power the cameras, APs, and phones you plan to run.
- Surveillance & IoT. Camera and device placement, storage, and isolation.
- Operational visibility. Whether you can actually see what the network is doing day to day.
A network assessment turns "it feels fine" into a prioritized, dollar-aware plan.
Each finding is rated by risk and effort, so you get a clear order of operations — not a 40-page report nobody reads. This is the starting point for nearly every engagement; see our services or request an assessment.
Key takeaways
- A real assessment covers foundation, security, wireless, and ops
- Documentation and firmware lifecycle are the most common gaps
- Findings should be risk-rated and prioritized, not a data dump
- Use it to audit yourself or to vet any provider
Frequently asked
How long does a network assessment take?
It depends on size and number of sites, but most small-to-mid environments are reviewed within days, with a prioritized findings summary to follow.
What do we get at the end of an assessment?
A documented findings summary — topology, risks, and prioritized, vendor-honest recommendations — so you know exactly what to fix first and why.
Talk to an engineer. Want this run on your environment? Request a free infrastructure review →
Put this into practice.
We will review your environment and return a prioritized plan within one business day.