Securing Microsoft based Wireless Networks
Wireless Local Area Networks have become very desirable to organisations over the last few years providing mobility of users
throughout the office space and across sites using a variety of devices and finally freeing the individual from a fixed wired location.
Cost of Freedom
These benefits and freedoms, however, come at a cost. Security is often overlooked or misunderstood in wireless environments and is one of the easiest areas to mis-configure. If
you were to take a laptop around London or any business area, there would be a plethora of
unsecured corporate networks with which to connect and potentially compromise.
Wireless Security Threats
The principle threats to Wireless Networks are:
Eavesdropping on transmitted data resulting in the collecting of confidential data, disclosure of user credentials and identity theft
Interception and modification of transmitted data allows an attacker to gain access to your network and modify communications between two legitimate parties
Spoofing allows a malicious user to send data that may appear to come from your network or one of your users. This data appears to come from inside your network
"Freeloading" gives an attacker the ability to use your network as an access point to the
Internet. This increases the network latency experienced by legitimate users
Denial of Service (DoS) can be trigged by sophisticated attacks that
target the wireless network protocols and can "break" your wireless
network
It is very important that you review how you secure your wireless investment and you may be surprised to find out how cost effectively this can be done if you already have a
Microsoft Active Directory environment in place.
It can provide you with all the components you require. Please review our whitepaper on
Securing a Wireless network and
to understand how we can help you to quickly gain a secure airspace with a low
outlay.
