Wireless Security
Wireless networks are becoming more and more popular. Not only can you take advantage of wireless networking at the office, home, a hotel, and coffee shops, but also at airports, train stations, and many other places. Wireless networks increase productivity. Your employees can save time by sending and receiving e-mail or accessing information on network servers from a conference room or any location within your organization that has wireless connectivity. You can also implement a voice over wireless LAN (WLAN) solution. With a WLAN, your employees can reach each other anywhere within your organization without having to rely on cellular coverage that can be spotty or nonexistent.
Now the bad news: wireless networks are a major target for attackers. One of the biggest challenges today is to make sure that the appropriate tools and mechanisms are used to protect data in-transit across wireless networks. In addition, the wireless infrastructure needs to be protected against attacks targeted to the wireless networking devices. Stories abound of attackers gaining access to wireless networks not only to steal information but also to attack other networks.
After reading this chapter, you will become familiar with some of the technologies, tools, and mechanisms that are typically used to protect your wireless network. You will also learn best practices to use when securing the Cisco Unified Wireless Architecture.
The 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g are the most widely deployed WLAN technologies today. Historically, 802.11 WLAN security includes the use of open or shared-key authentication and static wired equivalent privacy (WEP) keys. This combination offers a rudimentary level of access control and privacy but each element can be compromised.
The low cost of wireless deployments makes them popular (that is, you do not have to worry about expensive cabling solutions and portability issues). However, inexpensive equipment also makes it easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access. Rogue access points and unauthorized, poorly secured networks compound the odds of a security breach. The best practices you learned in previous chapters play a crucial role when protecting the infrastructure, analyzing risks, and building the most appropriate operational security program for your organization.
In this chapter, you will also learn the different authentication mechanisms in wireless networks. In addition, you will become familiar with advanced topics such as:
• Wireless intrusion detection and prevention services (IDS/IPS)
• Precise location tracking
• Network Admission Control (NAC) in wireless networks
Continue reading here: Overview of Cisco Unified Wireless Network Architecture
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