WPA2 brings a wealth of security to WLANs
One of the biggest developments in wireless was the ratification
of the 802.11 security standard in June 2004. The 802.11i standard, also called WPA2, is a mutual authentication security mechanism that verifies the client, requires the client to verify the access point, then encrypts data over the air. Businesses using the 802.11i standard are protected against the majority of hacker attacks. But don't downplay the need to focus on security across your entire wireless network.
Plan for a secure wireless network
Before deploying wireless technology, you'll want to determine how many wireless access points you'll need and where you'll need them. One of the best ways to do this is with one of the wireless survey products on the market today, such as Fluke Networks® InterpretAir™ SuperVision™. Software products such as this produce radio frequency (RF) models that indicate the best locations to place your wireless access points and help you identify signals from outside access points that could pose a risk to your network.
Avoid default settings
Typically, the equipment that you purchase comes with default settings that need to be changed, in some cases regularly, to make wireless networks harder to hack. Default log-on codes should be changed from the outset to an alphanumeric and special character code of no fewer than eight characters.
Every access point comes with what is essentially a default name — the service set identifier (SSID) — that then becomes the 32-byte ID for your WLAN. The defaults used by vendors are well known, so you need to change the SSIDs on your access points. While smart hackers can easily sniff SSIDs and compromise this type of security, the change will keep out random unwanted users and less-sophisticated hackers.
Utilize encryption
Access points typically arrive from a vendor with a few preset encryption levels. Go for the highest level allowed, but remember that all access points must be set to the same level of encryption. This means that older products on your network with lower limits of encryption will limit you to those levels. WPA 2 is inherently robust, but you should still use strong passwords that are alphanumeric and longer than 10 characters.
Perform regular analyses
If your network has both wired and wireless segments, you should have a tool capable of analyzing both segments. A WLAN/LAN analyzer can help you quickly isolate urgent problems on your network as well as issues that may be keeping it from performing at an optimal level. An analyzer can help discover virtual LANs (VLANs), measure RF signals, analyze network traffic, discover unauthorized devices, identify access points that aren't running encryption and locate rogue devices.
Because these network-analysis tools can be expensive, many businesses consider outsourcing this task to a service provider. Your CDW account manager can help you determine a cost-effective way to analyze your network.
Conduct audits
Experts recommend regular audits of your wireless network. Test to see where a given access point's signal can be received from. Test the signal strength of access point antennas to determine the best orientation for those antennas and to determine how to prevent an access point from being available beyond the walls of your building.
Vendors often create default key sets for shared-key authentication between the access point and wireless devices trying to access the network. You'll want to change these from their default settings and continue to change them on a regular basis.
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CDW security specialists can help you:
1. create a formal, written security policy
2. conduct a security vulnerability assessment
3. design the appropriate security solutions inclusive of hardware, software and/or services
4. deploy technologies that provide secure connectivity, threat defense and identity-management capabilities
5. support and maintain your security solutions
6. audit results to ensure deployed security technologies deliver desired results
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CDW Leasing
CDW offers four different leasing terms with three end-of-lease options. Leasing specialists are available to assist you with quotes, account information or any questions that you have. To learn more, contact your CDW account manager today.
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