Field notes

Field notes from the network

Packet-capture deep dives, network security guidance and performance engineering, written by the PacketCollection team in South Wales.

Latest dispatch

5 Jul 20267 min read

Cyber Essentials Cost and Requirements: A 2026 Guide

What Cyber Essentials actually costs in 2026, the five controls it requires, and the common failures we fix before assessment.

Cyber EssentialsCyber SecurityCompliance

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4 Jul 20265 min read

Cisco Secure Client (formerly AnyConnect) for Remote Access

AnyConnect is now Cisco Secure Client. What the rename means, where it runs on Secure Firewall and Meraki MX, and its Advantage and Premier tiers.

#CiscoSecureClient#AnyConnect

4 Jul 20265 min read

OpenVPN for Business Remote Access: A Practitioner's Guide

How OpenVPN works for business remote access in 2026: Community Edition vs Access Server, the DCO speed jump, and where it still beats WireGuard.

#OpenVPN#RemoteAccessVPN

4 Jul 20265 min read

Remote-Access VPN Solutions for Business: How to Choose

A plain-English guide to remote-access VPNs for business: how they differ from site-to-site, and when OpenVPN, Teleport or Cisco Secure Client fits.

#RemoteAccessVPN#VPN

4 Jul 20265 min read

Ubiquiti Teleport: One-Click Remote Access for UniFi

Ubiquiti Teleport in 2026: the WireGuard-based, one-click remote-access VPN built into UniFi. How it works, what you need and its honest limits.

#Ubiquiti#UniFi

2 Mar 20256 min read

From Jitter to Joy: Transforming Your Connection into a Gaming Powerhouse

Learn how to optimise your home network, reduce jitter, and ensure your gaming experience is as smooth as your reflexes.

#Gaming#NetworkOptimisation

2 Mar 20257 min read

High Speed Heroes: Unlocking Pro Level Performance with 10Gbps

Learn why a 10Gbps connection could be the ultimate performance boost for gamers, key deployment considerations, and what to look for.

#Gaming#Networking

1 Mar 20256 min read

Building Layers of Defence: Firewalls and Beyond

Learn why a layered security approach is essential for modern networks, with firewalls as a cornerstone supported by complementary measures.

#DefenceinDepth#LayeredSecurity

1 Mar 20256 min read

Hackers at the Gate: The Risks of Poor Network Security

Learn about the modern hacker's toolbox, the consequences of poor network security, and essential safeguards to protect your business.

#NetworkSecurity#Cybersecurity

1 Mar 20255 min read

How to Capture Packets on a Busy Network Without Dropping Data

Learn techniques for capturing packets in high-traffic production networks without dropping data, ensuring complete and accurate network analysis.

#PacketCapture#High-TrafficNetworks

1 Mar 20255 min read

The First Line of Defence: How Firewalls Protect Your Network

Learn how firewalls serve as the critical first line of defence, controlling what enters and exits your network to protect against cyber threats.

#Firewall#NetworkSecurity

1 Mar 20256 min read

Top 5 Packet Capture Tools in 2025: What Pros Use

Discover the most effective packet capture and analysis tools used by network professionals in 2025, from classic favourites to modern solutions.

#PacketCapture#NetworkAnalysis

1 Mar 20255 min read

Why Packet Capture is Still Essential in 2025

Despite advances in network monitoring tools, packet capture remains essential for troubleshooting, security, and understanding network behavior.

#PacketCapture#NetworkAnalysis

15 Jan 202512 min read

Network Security Trends 2025: Protecting Your Business in an Evolving Threat Landscape

Explore the latest network security trends for 2025, including AI-powered threats, zero-trust architecture, and defensive strategies.

#networksecurity#cybersecurity