WiFi Security: 5 Tips To Reduce The Risks

WiFi Security: If the security of the WLAN is not sufficiently important, dangers arise. More and more end devices are pushing into WLAN, which is due to increasing digitalization and the diverse additional device categories. In addition to laptops, tablets or mobile phones, there are also growing numbers of IoT devices integrated into the company’s internal radio network and endanger WLAN security.

WiFi Security: WLAN Security For Companies And Users

If not enough emphasis is placed on the WLAN security, potential hazards arise, mainly when unknown users log in with an infected device or are integrated into potentially insecure and easily attachable devices. However, companies with internally used WiFi infrastructure can provide more security both for the infrastructure and for their users’ devices if they consistently integrate WiFi security into their security strategy.

Holistic Approach Required

In a modern security infrastructure, the components at the endpoint and in the network are intelligently networked and act as a system to recognize threats and react automatically. The integration of the WLAN, including the access points in this concept, can significantly increase security. In this way, the data traffic in the entire company network can be continuously examined for harmful behavior, and the administrator has a complete overview of the current status of the network and the devices connected to it.

In addition, in the event of an irregularity, action can be taken immediately and automatically. For example, a notebook infected with ransomware or a mobile device with jailbreak/rooting that wants to connect to the WLAN is automatically isolated from the rest of the network to prevent the threat from spreading.

Danger From IoT Devices

When IoT devices are integrated into the WLAN, there is a potentially high-security risk. Many of these devices are fundamentally not geared towards security and thus represent a gateway for attackers to the wireless network. These include surveillance cameras, printers, displays or proprietary scanner devices such as those used in logistics. A company must meet the challenge posed by potentially insecure devices in its network by establishing WLAN security in several stages.

This includes that company, and BYOD devices can only connect to the network if they comply with company specifications. IoT devices should be “locked” in their WLAN. In this way, these devices are protected from attacks and cannot be used as a starting point for hackers to spread further into the company network.

Further Protective Measures For More WLAN Security

In addition to the integration of the WLAN in the security, further protective measures should be taken to ensure secure operation:

• Segmentation: Visitors who are provided with free WLAN access should under no circumstances be in the same sub-network as the company’s internal LAN or WLAN network. This prevents malware or hacking from directly reaching into other parts of the network and the endpoints located therein.
• Client Isolation: In the WLAN, the access point must isolate the clients connected to it from each other. This prevents an infected computer from connecting to other computers in the WLAN and infecting them as well.
• Automatic Detection And Isolation Of Infected Devices: Integrated and automated security protects both the WLAN operator and the user by automatically isolating devices infected with malware from the network and before other network participants are infected.
• Intelligent Malware Protection For Sensitive Data: Sensitive data of WLAN users must be protected from possible cyber attacks. Next-Generation Security provides significant support with EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Segment IoT Devices: Own WLANs for IoT devices prevent them from spreading in the network.

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