Avoid Wireless Network Downfalls

Many individuals fall prey to a sense of comfort mixed in with a thought of knowing just enough information to attain trouble lurking just around the corner. It’s the ‘I don’t have to read the instructions’ mentality. Or ‘I know how this works’. Three minutes later, the complaints begin, as the product failed to live up to our expectations. Emails are fired off to the manufacturer. Blog posts are filled with acid laced comments containing emotions over money spent on a seemingly bad product. Or we located the manufacturer’s web page, and let loose frustrations. Yet other consumers discover the same product was a match made in heaven, exactly what the happy individual needed.

The same situation can and does happen in the IT field. Not traveling deeper than surface value, skimming the top of the knowledge base without a clear, concise measure of the deeper aspects can hurt in the long run.

Wireless networking and wireless connectivity falls into the above category. Relying solely on the belief that certain characteristics will protect you against any and all comers without performing your due diligence of research, can and will turn into an eye opening experience the same moment the unfortunate security breach occurs.

Believing your organization is completely secure due to your reluctance to possess Wi-Fi is a misnomer. All it takes is a single dissatisfied employer to have a bad day that pushes them over the edge and set off an embedded access point, or unleash processes that open your network defenses. It can even happen unintentionally. A pure accident. We even hear the occasional story of a manufactured CD or DVD, smart phone SIM card, or other related retailed item that was packaged and sold to consumers, only to discover the malware packaged within. Who can say a Wi-Fi network card isn’t or won’t be infected and exploited by cyber criminals? It doesn’t take much for someone to take advantage of a Bluetooth enabled laptop or notebook and rampage the entire contents of the hard drive. Wi-Fi can be utilized, just do it wisely and be well informed of correct configuration processes.

Today, WPA2, or Wi-Fi Protected Access 2, a government level protection security platform, is a potent cryptographic answer to securing your wireless network and wireless clients. Secure clients by making sure they are configured in the correct manner, as cyber criminals are working hard on breaking wireless security. An incorrectly configured client can open the flood doors for them. Yes, WPA2 is an excellent scheme, but it will not provide protection against all kinds of threats. A layered defense is key.

Many individuals believe their 802.1X port controls provides complete security. The 802.1X acces control is an authentication platform that allows port communication between devices. The main thrust is if authentication is successful. If not, the communication will not take place. 802.1X was not created as a cure all for network protection against wireless intrusions. It does act as a free entry point with a single check point. From there a continual monitoring system is needed to bring a stronger level of security. An insider with an idea of how 802.1X works and the corresponding credentials can hide the identification of their hack and bypass the 802.1X criteria. Network access controls include policies that ascertain who has permission to access a network, and how far they can travel and the type and amount of information they are allowed to access. While network access controls will look at the host and determine if it complies with the base line criteria and configurations that have been previously set that allow access, but the network access controls can be spoofed. It is a one time gate checker. You pass the test, you have free access.

Denial of Service attacks will breach a wireless system. Radio frequency jamming (Wi-Fi is a radio frequency), jamming techniques, and de-authentication will breach wireless networks. 802.11w does contain security protection including cryptography, and mitigates frame attacks. There are still denial of service attacks that can defeat the system.

A great security structure works on wireless detection and prevention, as both work in tandem to prevent intrusions and breaches. Starting with the creation of compliances and policies for your particular organization, then conducting security risk management will illuminate various parts of your infrastructure requiring the proper security measures. A wireless security system that detects and prevents breaches on a continuous basis covers half the problem. User education and training covers the other half.

CISSP training and security awareness brings a level of security to your infrastructure. Organizational security, access control, application development security, telecommunications, physical security, security risk management, and more train your users to the continuing, growing threat of information intrusion and theft. Certification training courses offer new careers of global recognition, rewarding salaries, and professionals in demand by employers who realize how important is has become to protect their critical data. K Alliance training increases the knowledge and skill set of users, actively involving them in the process of protecting your important asset, which is your network and information.

About Us: Learning Planet has been designed to provide comprehensive, expert online training courses that improve your levels of productivity and understanding of information technology. PMP project management training is complete with methods involving project management improvement and smooth, consistent project delivery. Other training courses include CISSP information security certification training, Windows 7 training, Microsoft Office 2010 training, and so much more. Learning Planet is the location satisfying your training needs.