Wireless LAN Security

Wireless LAN Security

One issue with corporate Wireless networks in general, and WLANs in particular, involves the need for security. Many early access points could not discern whether or not a particular user had authorization to access the network. Although this problem reflects issues that have long troubled many types of wired networks (it has been possible in the past for individuals to plug computers into randomly available Ethernet Jacks and get access to a local network), this did not usually pose a significant problem, since many organizations had reasonably good physical security. However, the fact that radio signals bleed outside of buildings and across property lines makes physical security largely irrelevant Piggybackers. Such corporate issues are covered in Wireless security

The approval of the IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless local area networks
(WLANs) and the subsequent fall in prices for wireless network interface cards
(NICs) and wireless access points (APs) has caused an explosion in demand for
wireless LAN capability. Because of this demand, network administrators have had
to deal with two conflicting issues. Network administrators want to provide users
with the flexibility and convenience that wireless network access offers while
maintaining network security and integrity.

Benefits of Wireless LANs

A traditionally wired 10/100 BaseT Ethernet LAN infrastructure for 100 people costs about US$15,000 and requires several days to install (see Figure 1). Enterprises that use such an arrangement also incur additional costs and disruptions with every change to the physical office. (Expenses vary according to the physical layout and the quality of the equipment used.) Conversely, wireless LANs are less expensive and less intrusive to implement and maintain, as user needs change.

SIMPLIFIED IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE

Wireless APs can be placed in the ceiling, where they can accommodate a virtually endless

variety of office configurations (see Figure 2). Wired LANs, in contrast, consume time and

resources to run cables from a network closet to user’s desktops and to difficult-to-service areas

such as conference room tables and common areas. With a wired LAN, each additional user or

modification to the floor plan necessitates adjustments to the cabling system.

SECURITY FEATURES

The 802.11 standard provides for two primary security features that, unfortunately,
fall short of a truly secure solution. Both of the solutions operate on the data link
layer of the network.