How to Counter Cable Failure

Why would anyone want to go back to being tethered to a cable?

Because, copper is quicker. And much more secure.

I'm tethered at work, because my desktop PC isn't mobile. Our security cameras are too.

At home, everything is wi-fi.

I'd bet that all the data I've ever had stolen was stolen from hard wired servers of insurance, educational and financial services I do/did business with.

Depends on the "anyone" involved. Just ask your friendly neighborhood pharmaceutical giant what they think of "wireless connectivity." Security reigns supreme in that industry. Internet connection - forget that - we can't even suggest a wireless connection on 100 instrument process skids. In fact, we can't even suggest a good single cable bus to that industry. We still cable like it was 1979. Turck's cabling division loves that industry.

It's not hard to understand why. When I sit in the local bar in this metropolis of 150 people I live in, I have access to 5 different wireless connections with my phone. If it is in the air, it is accessible by someone who it wasn't intended for.

"If it is in the air, it is accessible by someone who it wasn't intended for."

Well, one way to improve site security for Wi-Fi is to use Faraday cages to isolate Wi-Fi zones from each other. But that would require an expensive remodel of the entire building, and 'airlock' style passages between neighboring zones, so a connection from one zone cannot 'bleed out' into an unsecured neighbor.

That would also mean that nobody's cell phone would work inside the building, unless the company builds its own 'cell network' to cover the zones, but that's A) also an expensive idea and B) likely to raise complaints from the employees about management spying on the employees personal business during lunch and breaks.

Those types of zones/rooms exist already in certain secure buildings/areas.

I worked in one once. The AC ducts all had loudspeakers directed at them so that conversations could not be recorded by spies and the walls all had copper screening.

Yes, it's expensive.

My whole house is essentially like that, due to an aluminum foil coating on a layer of foam insulation on the walls, and on the fiberglass batts in the attic. Until recently, I had to go outside to make or receive a call, and was marginal even there. Fortunately, my newest iPhone has WiFi calling, and setting it up has eliminated that problem. I get nice clear calls. At least one person has commented on how clear they are.