Corporate wireless networks blanket office buildings with connectivity that employees depend on for productivity. These same networks provide attackers with invisible access points to corporate resources, often with weaker security controls than wired networks receive. Wireless security remains an afterthought in many organisations despite wireless being the primary network access method. The convenience of wireless access creates security challenges that wired networks don’t face. Anyone within radio range can attempt to access wireless networks. Attackers don’t need physical presence in buildings; they can attack from car parks, neighbouring buildings, or public spaces nearby.

Wireless Security Fundamentals Organisations Ignore

Default wireless configurations prioritise connectivity over security. Access points ship with settings optimised for ease of setup rather than security. Organisations deploy these defaults without proper hardening, creating easily exploitable wireless networks that appear professional whilst offering minimal protection. Wireless encryption standards vary in strength. WEP is trivially broken, WPA has known weaknesses, and even WPA2 can be compromised under certain conditions. Yet organisations still operate wireless networks using outdated encryption because upgrading requires device replacements or faces compatibility concerns.

Expert Commentary

Name: William Fieldhouse

Title: Director of Aardwolf Security Ltd

Comments: “Wireless security assessments consistently find networks we can access from outside buildings. We crack wireless encryption, bypass authentication, or simply connect to misconfigured access points that allow unauthorised access. Once on wireless networks, we often move laterally to wired segments because proper network segmentation is missing.”

Securing Wireless Infrastructure

Deploy WPA3 encryption across all wireless networks where possible. WPA3 addresses weaknesses in earlier standards and provides stronger protection against password cracking attacks. For devices that can’t support WPA3, isolate them on separate networks with additional monitoring and access restrictions. Implement proper wireless network segmentation that treats wireless as untrusted. Guest networks should have no access to corporate resources. Employee wireless should have restricted access controlled through strong authentication. Never treat wireless connections as equivalent to wired network access.

Regular web application penetration testing includes assessment of wireless security posture. Testing identifies weak encryption, misconfigured access points, and insufficient network segmentation that creates security vulnerabilities.

Monitor wireless networks for rogue access points and unauthorised devices. Employees sometimes install personal wireless routers or hotspots that bypass corporate security. Automated wireless monitoring detects these unauthorised access points before attackers exploit them.

Working with a best penetration testing company experienced in wireless security provides comprehensive assessment of wireless vulnerabilities.

Position wireless access points carefully to minimise radio leakage beyond controlled areas. Wireless signals extending into public spaces or neighbouring buildings create opportunities for external attackers.

Advanced Wireless Threats

Evil twin attacks where attackers create fake wireless networks with names resembling legitimate corporate networks trick users into connecting. Once connected, attackers intercept traffic, steal credentials, or inject malware. Wireless deauthentication attacks force clients to disconnect and reconnect, allowing attackers to capture authentication handshakes for offline cracking. Protection against these attacks requires detection systems that alert on suspicious deauthentication patterns. Wireless network security demands continuous attention as new attacks emerge and older security measures become inadequate. Organisations treating wireless security as deployment-and-forget create persistent vulnerabilities that attackers exploit regularly.