Meyer Institute of Sport: Scaling Performance and Compliance with UniFi

Background

Founded in 2010 by Dr. John Meyer, the Meyer Institute of Sport (MIS) in Los Angeles, California, stands as a premier center for athletic training, rehabilitation, and sports performance. Driven by Dr. Meyer's vision to merge cutting-edge sports science with personalized athlete care, the institute quickly established itself as a trusted resource for professional teams such as the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), LA Clippers (NBA), and LA Galaxy (MLS). MIS uniquely combines orthopedic physical therapy, biomechanics, performance profiling, youth athlete development, and advanced recovery services under one roof, providing athletes at all levels—from professional competitors to collegiate athletes and the general public—with elite, customized care.

Prior to UniFi, MIS relied on a Sophos-based networking solution, which consistently struggled with compliance audits, stability issues, and high-density, high-bandwidth requirements necessary for the institute’s sophisticated biomechanics labs and extensive guest network usage.

Seeking an advanced solution, MIS partnered with MSP Sean Graham of MacGuru Consulting—an Apple-certified consultancy renowned for expertise in managed services and robust network infrastructures—to transition to UniFi.

Business Requirements

MIS required a network solution capable of addressing several critical needs:

1. High-Performance Wi-Fi: Ultra-fast Wi-Fi 7 technology leveraging the 6 GHz band to reliably support real-time, high-throughput biomechanical monitoring, extensive motion-capture video analytics, and heavy concurrent device usage across approximately 500–600 daily connected clients.

2. Guest Wi-Fi & Captive Portal: Reliable, seamless guest connectivity with a stable captive portal experience, essential for a large volume of visitors and clients.

3. Robust Routing and Switching: A high-availability, security-focused gateway and switching infrastructure to handle intensive real-time data streams and ensure seamless performance across the facility.

4. Compliance: Rigorous adherence to HIPAA for patient data security and PCI compliance for secure transaction processing.

Why UniFi

UniFi was chosen for its unmatched combination of enterprise-grade performance, licensing flexibility, local data processing capabilities, and advanced security features. Key benefits include:

• Integrated and License-Free Ecosystem: UniFi’s comprehensive, cost-effective hardware and software platform avoids recurring licensing fees, significantly lowering total cost of ownership.
• Local Processing: Edge computing capabilities provided by the UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max ensure local handling of security functions such as intrusion prevention and threat management, minimizing dependence on cloud services and enhancing data privacy, crucial for HIPAA compliance.
• CyberSecure: UniFi’s built-in CyberSecure functionality further strengthens network security through proactive threat detection, automated response, and comprehensive security reporting.

Deployment Highlights

Wi-Fi 7 Deployment MIS deployed UniFi’s E7 Wi-Fi 7 access points, significantly improving wireless performance across the facility:

The tri-band E7 APs leverage the new 6 GHz spectrum to deliver exceptional throughput and reduced latency, providing reliable connectivity for MIS’s advanced biomechanics equipment, streaming multiple simultaneous high-definition video feeds, and managing heavy guest Wi-Fi traffic.

Captive Portal for Guest Wi-Fi

The UniFi captive portal now delivers a consistent and streamlined user experience for the institute’s numerous daily visitors. With 500–600 clients connecting daily, the improved reliability and ease-of-use have markedly enhanced client satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Routing and Switching

MIS’s network stack features robust UniFi hardware, including:

• UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max: Serving as a powerful, enterprise-grade gateway offering integrated threat management, deep packet inspection, and advanced Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), significantly improving overall network security and reliability.
• UniFi Pro Max Switches: Two 24-port Pro Max switches with intuitive Ether Lighting RGB indicators, enabling efficient management, troubleshooting, and performance monitoring.

The advanced security stack with IPS and CyberSecure proactively protects MIS’s sensitive athlete and patient data while ensuring high-speed performance critical for real-time analytics.

Compliance: HIPAA and PCI

The UniFi network directly supports rigorous compliance standards required by MIS:

• Edge Computing for Enhanced Security: Localized data processing on the Dream Machine Pro Max reduces cloud dependency, minimizing vulnerabilities and ensuring tighter control of patient and financial data.
• Secure Network Segmentation: Dedicated VLANs separate patient health records, financial transactions, staff resources, and guest networks, significantly simplifying HIPAA and PCI compliance management.
• Encrypted Communications: Enterprise-level WPA3 encryption provides secure Wi-Fi connectivity, essential for maintaining patient confidentiality and financial security.
• Audit-Ready Configuration: Real-time logging and monitoring through UniFi OS ensure easy compliance audits and rapid identification and resolution of potential threats.

HIPAA compliance is vital for safeguarding patient privacy and maintaining the institute’s trustworthiness and reputation, making UniFi’s comprehensive security features indispensable.

Future Solutions and Expansion

MIS plans to expand their UniFi implementation further by incorporating:

• UniFi Protect: To enhance physical security and surveillance capabilities through integrated, high-definition security cameras managed within the existing network.
• UniFi Access: Streamlined and secure access control solutions to further fortify facility security and provide seamless visitor and staff management.

These expansions will leverage existing infrastructure, offering seamless integration and enhanced capabilities without additional complexity or licensing costs.

Conclusion

With the transition to UniFi, the Meyer Institute of Sport achieved exceptional Wi-Fi 7 performance, robust guest connectivity, and comprehensive compliance with HIPAA and PCI standards. The advanced routing, switching, and edge security infrastructure positions MIS to effortlessly scale future technological advancements.