Wi-Fi Security Sees Toughest Upgreat in a Decade

Wi-Fi Security Sees Toughest Upgrade in a Decade

Wi-Fi Alliance is looking to beef up security with an updated protocol

Last year more than 500,000 consumer-grade routers around the world were breached by hackers using the nefarious VPNFilter malware that originated from Russia. Now, after nearly a decade of the same standards, the Wi-Fi Alliance is looking to beef up security with an updated protocol.

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a group of companies certifying devices capable of data transmission over Wi-Fi. For years, the standards have been the same, allowing hacker after hacker access to vulnerable routers. Yesterday, the alliance updated the commonly implemented security protocol for Wi-Fi enabled devices and has also begun the process of certifying products that support WPA3.

Devices upgraded to WPA3 will be mostly invulnerable to hackers attempting to guess your passwords until they get it right. The new security provisions will also enable "robust protection" when people use weak passwords. Additionally, WPA3 enabled devices will also feature individualized data encryption, making them safer to use in public places.

The Wi-Fi Alliance is also releasing a new program for both WPA2 and WPA3 devices that enables a QR code-based system for connecting devices to access points. All you would have to do to connect is scan the code.

While the Wi-Fi Alliance currently does not mandate a WPA3 certification for all new devices, its adoption is expected to accelerate in the coming years and WPA3 could soon become a prerequisite for Wi-Fi certification.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Freedom of Choice

    In today's security landscape, we are witnessing a fundamental transformation in how organizations manage digital evidence. Law enforcement agencies, campus security teams, and large facility operators face increasingly complex challenges with expanding video data, tightening budget constraints and inflexible systems that limit innovation. Read Now

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • The Progress of Biometrics

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.