In Lesson 4 of Wireless Security Lunchtime Learning, you'll walk away with an understanding of the value of wireless IPS -- even if your organization doesn't support a wireless LAN. Also, learn how to choose a WIPS for your environment and how to fight wireless DoS attacks.
Use the sidebar on your right to navigate to this lesson's video and three companion tips. Also, navigate to the quiz at the end to test what you've learned.
Also be sure to check out the lower sidebar, which features links to the other lessons in our Wireless Security Lunchtime Learning series.
Video: I'll be watching you: Wireless IPS
Wireless intrusion prevention systems have become standard operating procedure in corporate networks, including those without formal Wi-Fi deployment. From enforcing "no wireless" policies to blocking unauthorized sessions, these systems help companies see what's happening in their WLANs and provide tools to take corrective action. This webcast describes the role of WIPS in WLAN security, the features commonly provided by WIPS, and how WIPS differ from (and complement) their wired network counterparts.
Tip: How to prevent wireless DoS attacks
Despite recent 802.11 security advances, WLANs remain very vulnerable to denial-of-service attacks. A WIPS can help you detect when DoS attacks occur and where they come from, so that you can track the intruder down and bring him to justice -- and prevent future attacks. This tip offers practical advice on how to recognize and respond to DoS attacks launched against your WLAN.
Tip: Rogue AP containment methods
Many wireless network monitoring systems now provide options to "block" rogue devices, preventing wireless or wired network access. This tip explores how these containment features work, their potential side-effects and what network administrators should consider before activating them.
Tip: Wireless intrusion prevention systems: Overlay vs. embedded sensors
Wireless intrusion prevention systems rely on sensors to observe and forward traffic summaries to a central analysis server. Overlay WIPSes use special-purpose sensors dedicated to this monitoring task. Embedded WIPSes use APs to monitor the WLAN in their spare time. This tip compares these two WIPS approaches so that you can choose the one that best fits your network and security needs.
Tip: How to monitor WLAN performace with WIPS
Wireless intrusion prevention: the very name brings to mind security. But many WIPS products can also be used to monitor WLAN performance, providing valuable insight for trouble-shooting, fine-tuning, and usage planning. This tip explains how to leverage your WIPS get more from your WLAN.
Quiz
Is your understanding of WIPS up to snuff? Find out how much you retained from Lesson 4 of Wireless Lunchtime Learning.
Lisa Phifer owns Core Competence Inc., a consulting firm specializing in network security and management technology. Lisa has been involved in the design, implementation and evaluation of data communications, internetworking, security and network management products for over 25 years. At Core Competence, she has advised large and small companies regarding security needs, product assessment and the use of emerging technologies and best practices. Before joining Core Competence, Lisa was a Member of Technical Staff at Bell Communications Research where she won a president's award for her work on ATM Network Management.
Lisa teaches about wireless LANs, mobile security and virtual private networking at many industry conferences and on-line webinars. Lisa's WLAN Advisor and Wireless-To-Go columns are published by SearchNetworking.com and SearchMobileComputing.com where she is a site expert on wireless LANs. She also has written extensively about network infrastructure and security technologies for numerous publications including Wi-Fi Planet, ISP-Planet, Business Communications Review, Information Security and SearchSecurity.com.
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