In a split second, a hacker can bypass your $10,000 firewall without ever sending a single phishing email. How? By walking up to your front door and exploitng the smart badge reader, or by “pinging” an outdoor security camera that was installed with its factory-default password.
In 2026, the line between “physical” and “cyber” security has completely vanished. At MAXtech Agency, we’ve seen a shift: the most dangerous entry points for small-to-midsized businesses in Columbus aren’t just in the cloud—they are hanging on your office walls.
Your Building is Smarter (and More Vulnerable)
Modern offices are filled with “Cyber-Physical Systems.” These are devices that live in the physical world but are controlled by your digital network. Common examples include:
- Smart Door Locks & Access Panels: If it’s on the Wi-Fi, it’s a door for a hacker.
- IP Security Cameras: High-definition eyes that can be turned into a “botnet” if not secured.
- Smart Thermostats & HVAC: A classic entry point for lateral movement into financial servers.
- Conference Room Tech: Smart TVs and tablets often lack the same security patches your laptops have.
Why “The Wires” Matter to Your Cybersecurity
Most IT companies stop at the computer screen. Most security camera installers stop at the cable. This gap is exactly where hackers live. At MAXtech, we approach your security from the ground up—literally.
- Low-Voltage Integrity: Professional wiring ensures your security data isn’t just fast, but isolated.
- Hardware Selection: We move our clients away from “consumer-grade” smart tech. If a device doesn’t support advanced encryption and regular firmware updates, it doesn’t belong on your network.
3 Ways to Protect Your System
If you are managing an office in Central Ohio, here is how you can secure your physical footprint today:
1) Implement Network Segmentation
You wouldn’t give a stranger a key to every room in your house. Your network should be the same. By using VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks), we isolate your security cameras and smart locks on their own “island.” Even if a hacker compromises a camera, they are trapped—they can’t “jump” over to your accounting software or client database.
2) Kill the Default Password
It sounds simple, but “admin/admin” or “1234” is still the leading cause of IoT breaches. Every device added to your building must have a unique, rotated password and, where possible, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
3) Zero-Trust for Hardware
In 2026, we don’t just verify people; we verify the equipment. Your network should be configured to recognize only authorized hardware. If an unknown device is plugged into a wall jack in your lobby, the network should automatically “shun” it before it can communicate.
One Partner, Total Protection
The “MAXtech way” is about convergence. Because we handle both the virtual IT strategy (vCIO) and the physical low-voltage wiring, we ensure there are no blind spots between your front door and your data center.
Is your office a digital sieve?
Don’t wait for a breach to find out that your security cameras were the weak link. Let our team perform a Cyber-Physical Risk Assessment to see exactly what’s connected to your network—and who has access to it.
Secure your building. Secure your bits.
Contact MAXtech Agency today at (614) 401-8800 or visit us at our Columbus HQ to start your security roadmap.