A wireless mesh is a network design in which devices can forward traffic for one another, extending coverage without every node needing a direct link to a central access point. This is common in smart homes, industrial sensors, and other low-power systems where range and reliability matter more than raw speed.
In cyber security, mesh networks change the trust model because any relay-capable node may influence how data moves through the system. A compromised device can become a point for traffic interception, disruption, or unauthorized routing, especially if joining and authentication are weak. Defenses focus on secure pairing, unique device credentials, strong encryption, network segmentation, and monitoring for unexpected routing changes. In practice, a mesh can improve resilience, but only if each node is treated as part of the security boundary, not just a signal repeater.