If you're not using virtual private networks, or any other type of technology to secure that valuable data being shared and stored on wireless networks, you might want to investigate the option of WiFi Protected Access 2. As WiFi uses insecure radio waves to transmit data, that data is vulnerable to interception from any device near the transmitter. That means encryption is a must with any wireless system, with most companies turning to Layer 3 IPsec (IP security) even though it can boost costs and brings on a slew of technical challenges for mobile users who traditionally roam in and out of wireless access point range.
The first thing to know is that WPA2 comes in two distinct options. WPA2-Personal uses a passphrase configured on APs and wireless clients to generate a shared encryption key. It's not a great enterprise option, however, as distributing changes is a big task. On the other hand, WPA2-Enterprise provides a strong and manageable security system which boasts existing standards, including RADIUS, IEEE 802.1X and EAP. The best feature of WPA2 is that it offers an eight-way handshake involving the client computer, the authentication server and the authenticator. Learn more about WPA2 and whether it's a viable strategy for that wireless network that needs securing today.
For more on securing wireless data:
- read this article at Security Pipeline
