4.3.6 Wireless security

The difficulties in keeping a wired network secure are amplified with a wireless network. A wireless network is open to anyone within range of an access point and the appropriate credentials to associate to it.

Wireless security is often implemented at the access point, or the point where the wireless connection enters into the network. Basic wireless security includes:

• setting strong authentication protocols with strong passwords
• configuring administrative security
• enabling encryption
• changing all default settings
• keeping firmware up-to-date.

However, even with these configuration settings, with a wireless-capable device and knowledge of hacking techniques, an attacker can gain access to an organisation’s or an individual’s network. Additionally, many new wireless-enabled devices that connect to the IoE do not support wireless security functionality.

For this reason, traffic from smart wireless and mobile devices, and traffic from sensors and embedded objects, must pass through the security devices and context-aware applications of the network.