Wireless networks have become ubiquitous in our daily lives, providing connectivity to an extensive range of devices, from smartphones and laptops to Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Security has become a critical concern with the increase in the number of devices and the amount of sensitive information transmitted over these networks. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a security protocol used to secure wireless networks.
Need for WPA3 security
WPA2 had been the standard for almost a decade. WPA2 was introduced in 2004 to replace the relatively weak Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) protocol. WPA2 was based on the IEEE 802.11i standard and had been the standard for securing Wi-Fi networks for over a decade. However, in 2016, a security researcher from Belgium discovered a flaw in the WPA2 security protocol that enabled an attacker to exploit the four-way handshake protocol used to establish encrypted connections between Wi-Fi access points and clients. This flaw called the Key Reinstallation Attack (KRACK), exposed the weaknesses in WPA2 and raised concerns about the security of Wi-Fi networks.
In 2018, Wi-Fi Alliance announced the next generation of Wi-Fi Security - WPA3, to address the security concerns raised by the KRACK vulnerability and provide better security for wireless networks. WPA3 brings new capabilities to enhance Wi-Fi security for both personal and enterprise Wi-Fi networks while maintaining interoperability with WPA2 devices.
WPA3-Personal Features and Benefits
WPA3-Personal provides better protection to individual users by providing more robust password-based authentication, even when users choose passwords that fall short of typical complexity recommendations. This capability is enabled through Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE), which replaces the Pre-shared Key (PSK) in WPA2-Personal.
The technology is resistant to offline dictionary attacks where an adversary attempts to determine a network password by trying possible passwords without further network interaction. In other words, the encryption with WPA3-Personal is more individualized. Users on a WPA3-Personal network cannot ever snoop on another’s WPA3-Personal traffic, even when the user has the Wi-Fi password and is successfully connected. Furthermore, if an outsider determines the password, passively observing an exchange and determining the session keys is not possible, providing forward secrecy of network traffic. In addition, they cannot decrypt any data captured prior to the cracking either.
WPA3-Personal for Open Wi-Fi Networks
WPA3-Personal also features improved security for public Wi-Fi hotspots by implementing Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE). OWE provides encryption for open Wi-Fi networks that do not require a password to connect. Previously, connecting to an open Wi-Fi network meant that all data transmitted between the device and the access point was sent in plain text, making it easy for an attacker to intercept and read. With OWE, users can connect to open Wi-Fi networks with confidence that their data is encrypted and protected from prying eyes.
WPA3-Enterprise Features and Benefits
WPA3-Enterprise provides greater security for enterprises, governments, and financial institutions. WPA3-Enterprise also offers an optional mode using 192-bit minimum-strength security protocols and cryptographic tools to protect sensitive data better:
- Authenticated encryption: 256-bit Galois/Counter Mode Protocol (GCMP-256)
- Key derivation and confirmation: 384-bit Hashed Message Authentication Mode (HMAC) with Secure Hash Algorithm (HMAC-SHA384)
- Key establishment and authentication: Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) exchange and Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) using a 384-bit elliptic curve.
- Robust management frame protection: 256-bit Broadcast/Multicast Integrity Protocol Galois Message Authentication Code (BIP-GMAC-256)
WPA3-Enterprise: Protected Management Frames
WPA3-Enterprise also offers enhanced protection against brute force attacks. Brute force attacks are a common method used by attackers to guess passwords by trying different combinations of characters until they find the correct one. WPA3-Enterprise protects against these attacks by introducing Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE), which uses a different method of key exchange than WPA2-Enterprise. SAE provides a more secure method of authentication that is resistant to brute force attacks. Furthermore, WPA3 mandates the use of Protected Management Frames (PMF) for all devices. PMF helps to protect against certain types of attacks that exploit the way Wi-Fi frames are exchanged between devices. WPA3 also introduces a new handshake protocol that provides enhanced security and is resistant to offline attacks.
WPA3-Enterprise: Multiple Authentication Methods
Another key feature of WPA3-Enterprise is the ability to use multiple authentication methods. This feature allows organizations to use a combination of passwords, digital certificates, and other forms of authentication to enhance security. For example, a company might require employees to use a password and a smart card to access the network, providing an additional layer of security beyond just a password.
WPA3-Enterprise: Easy Connect
WPA3 also includes a new feature called Easy Connect, which simplifies the process of adding IoT devices to a Wi-Fi network. IoT devices, such as smart thermostats, security cameras, and other connected devices, often have limited user interfaces and cannot easily enter passwords. Easy Connect solves this problem by allowing the device to be authenticated using a smartphone or other device with a larger screen and easier input methods. This makes it easier to add new devices to a network while maintaining the same level of security.
In addition to the new features introduced in WPA3, it also addresses some of the vulnerabilities in WPA2. For example, WPA3 eliminates the use of TKIP, a weaker encryption algorithm that was still supported by some devices using WPA2. By removing support for TKIP, WPA3 ensures that all devices using the protocol are using the stronger AES-CCMP encryption algorithm.
The 192-bit security mode offered by WPA3-Enterprise ensures that the right combination of cryptographic tools is used and sets a consistent security baseline within a WPA3 network.
In conclusion, WPA3 represents a significant improvement in Wi-Fi security and addresses many of the vulnerabilities in WPA2. It provides enhanced protection for both personal and enterprise Wi-Fi networks, with improved authentication mechanisms, increased cryptographic strength, and improved data protection. With the increasing number of wireless devices and the amount of sensitive information transmitted over Wi-Fi networks, the adoption of WPA3 is crucial to ensure that our networks are secure from malicious attacks. As we continue to rely more and more on Wi-Fi networks, it is essential that we have a security protocol that can keep up with the evolving threat landscape, and WPA3 provides just that.
Highly secure Wi-Fi products from IO by HFCL
IO by HFCL’s innovative range of Wi-Fi products is Wi-Fi-certified and comes with the latest and most advanced WPA3 security protocol. The WPA3 protocols offer integration with external data encryption devices, firewalls, etc., for further enhancement of data security. This allows organizations to leverage existing security investments while still benefiting from the enhanced security features of WPA3. Head over to our product pages to discover our wide portfolio of highly secure Access solutions that can cater to a plethora of use cases.
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