Security planning for wireless networks : DoD concerns

摘要

Wireless networking is a rapidly emerging technology and security must be addressed as it is incorporated into new and existing local area networks (LANs). It is important to know what unique properties of wireless LANs might amplify existing LAN vulnerabilities or introduce new ones. Wireless transmission techniques, topologies, and vendor offerings were surveyed from a security perspective. Three rating systems were developed to analyze aspects of these survey areas. These areas were then rated using these systems and graphically displayed on Kiviat drawings to show symmetric comparisons of each analysis category. Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) transmission technology, cellular topology, and the Jaguar product emerge as the best current approaches available. These results are applied to a case study that examines network wired segment replacement options, wireless segment attacks, and methods to detect an attacker. Current standards offer guidance that dictate how wireless technologies must operate, but do not relate to principles of LAN design. Our study and rating system results provide guidance for creating a network topology. The case study demonstrated that care must be taken in choosing wireless network segments. This work should help system Administrators by providing examples of good and bad choices.