The Future of Wi-Fi Security and Performance with FortiAP 431G and Wi-Fi 6E

As I sit here at my desk, supping on a third cup of coffee, I can’t help but cast my mind back to the early days — 1993, network admin job, managing voice and data over PSTN muxes (oh, those noisy things). Since then, I have witnessed immense changes in the networking space: I grappled with the Slammer worm myself (not a pretty memory) and now as the owner of PJ Networks Pvt Ltd, I navigate businesses through the winding ways of cybersecurity.

We recently assisted three banks with moving to zero-trust architecture — it was a colossal project. And just the other week, back from DefCon, still on the hardware hacking village high. So much inspiration in there for the work we do.

Introducing FortiAP 431G and Wi-Fi 6E

Today I would like to share something dear to me, where we finally see the migration from old APs to FortiAP 431G – Wi-Fi 6E secured by FortiGate & Authenticator. Yeah, even though it’s a mouthful, but that is the future coming your way (or to your office ceiling if you want to keep it literal).

Why Wi-Fi 6E?

Let’s begin with this: Wi-Fi 6E pushes Wi-Fi 6 into the 6 GHz spectrum — the more spectrum you have, the less chance for congestion and interference; the faster and more reliable your wireless network. Think of it like going from a gridlocked city street to a new six-lane highway.

Legacy APs — many of you, you are still enjoying them — are like the aging cars that you want to keep but wish you hadn’t bought because it doesn’t have some of the modern safety features. Slow and packed channels cause packet collision, jitter, and really annoyed customers to be honest.

Wi-Fi 6E Supports

• 6×6 : Up to 7 additional ch 160 MHz. Yes, 7.
• Lower latency, but more importantly, consistent latency for real-time apps – important for banks trying to process transactions or enterprises using VoIP.
• Increased spectral efficiency using OFDMA and MU-MIMO.

But here’s the rub — it’s about more than just speed. Security comes baked in. Using the FortiAP 431G in conjunction with FortiGate firewalls and Fortinet’s Authenticator bring a new level of security to your wireless network making it not only faster, but secure at every handshake.

Understanding the Threat Landscape

Wi-Fi networks warrant greater consideration in your cybersecurity playbook. I can’t stress this enough. Even with zero-trust architectures set up, your wireless network is still a juicy target. Here’s why:

• Older APs commonly run not-updated firmware—and provide vulnerable entry points.
• MITM attacks over wireless of public/enterprise wi-fi instances, POCs mostly, for the same reasons of rogue APs as above.
• Unauthorized access to the device in part because of weak or mishandled credentials.

I recently rolled out a project where the client’s legacy APs had open SSIDs presented alongside their corporate networks — classic “fail.” And so many let them slide in audits.

Support for FortiGate integration – all remote access is authenticated, logged and accounted for, including quick and easy integration of new or existing FortiGate devices. The FortiAuthenticator provides an added layer of identity-based security — think of it as a bouncer checking IDs at every door.

Here’s what’s funny about security: it’s layered. No silver bullets. No magic AI-powered wands (I’m still highly dubious of those). Let’s just not trust anything until we pattern match what we are looking for and stick our keys in it, eh? Instead trust security stacks that have been around for years, are a pain to configure and require proper RF design.

Migration Steps to Wi-Fi 6E

Migrating can’t be plug-and-play — and it sure can’t be replace old APs with new ones one for one. Lesson hard learned one time - Tried a simple direct replacement with little RF planning and had enough coverage holes to upset clients. Lesson learned.

Here’s how PJ Networks is handling the Wi-Fi 6E transition:

1. RF Site Survey & Design — Wi-Fi 6E’s 6 GHz band doesn’t go as far as 2.4 or 5 GHz, so you will need more APs, carefully placed. We use advanced tools for spectrum analysis and site surveys.
2. Staging & Configuration – Preparing FortiAP 431G units with FortiGate policies and certificates so less downtime is required upon deployment.
3. Staged Deployment — Begin with core functions (data centers, executive floors, transaction zones) and move on to the full campus-wide transition.
4. Integration with FortiGate & FortiAuthenticator – RBAC is designed to be integrated with FortiGate and FortiAuthenticator to remotely create endpoint web access permissions. We also require MFA for Wi-Fi login, no exceptions.
5. Testing and Tuning – Test after installation for coverage, throughput, and security compliance. You can also expect to adjust power levels and channel assignments here.

And yes, PJ Networks has trade-in programs and flexible financing that make such upgrades feasible even for value-focused customers.

Performance Gains with FortiAP 431G and Wi-Fi 6E

After all this theorizing, is upgrading to FortiAP 431G Wi-Fi 6E worth it in practice? From experience — absolutely. Here is what we usually see:

• Higher Performance: Peak rates up to 3x faster.
• Lower Latency: We also significantly reduced our latency from 20-30ms to sub 10ms on certain installations, this is very obvious improvement for VoIP and video conferences.
• Improved Client Density Handling: MU-MIMO and OFDMA tech allow efficiency with high user density without meltdown, hundreds of users simultaneously.
• Enhanced Security Posture: FortiGate policies, along with FortiAuthenticator MFA, significantly reduce insider and outsider attacks.

Another of the bank’s customers saw their helpdesk tickets decrease by 40% after the upgrade. Fewer dropped calls, fewer rants about “Wi-Fi is slow.” They loved it because — and again I quote — it actually just works.

PJ Networks Wi-Fi 6E Roll-out Plan

Here’s how we typically plan a roll-out for Wi-Fi 6E:

• Week 1-2: Conduct RF Survey, review of networks, and purchase.
• Week 3: Pre-staged APs and firewall settings.
• Weeks 4-6: Gradual rollout of APs & Integration with FortiAuthenticator.
• Week 7: Training for users, fine-tuning policies, and setting up monitoring.
• Week 8: Final audit and sign-off.

Communications with users are important along the way — to smooth over hiccups when devices momentarily lose a connection, say, or if some legacy devices aren’t compatible with 6 GHz.

Truth is, not every migration runs perfectly. Expect surprises. That’s why planning and thinking with security first is critical.

Quick Takeaways

• Wi-Fi 6E = more spectrum + less interference = more performance.
• FortiAP 431G, FortiGate, and FortiAuthenticator = secured wireless that you can count on.
• Migrating requires strong RF design and phased roll out.
• Real, obvious and no-offensive performance benefits.
• You can trade in old gear and finance your purchase with PJ Networks if budget is a worry.

Final Thoughts on Wi-Fi 6E and Network Security

I know, I know — improving Wi-Fi sounds dull and infrastructural to some. But the security pros, network admins and corporate bigwigs? This is your front line. Old, beat-up locks don’t belong on the door to your server room and that goes double for your data. You may hate it or love it, but the addition of Wi-Fi 6E (with onboard security) is becoming an absolute.

Finally — a little rant on passwords: If you think a dumb password policy with something like password123 or admin will do, you’re inviting disaster. That’s why we always deploy, as part of any rollout, FortiAuthenticator for either MFA or robust credential enforcement.

The world’s moving fast. You can’t be the weak link — let alone the laggard everyone’s hacking into. And if you ask me? Wi-Fi 6E with FortiAP 431G protected by FortiGate can actually make it possible.

As always, write to me if you need help with that — I have been around the block (and the block, and the block). Thank me later, future you will be grateful.

– Sanjay Seth
PJ Networks Pvt Ltd