In light of what we now know about rogue access to the network, access control becomes the primary defensive mechanism for reducing or eliminating unauthorized access to the network. And of the access control tools and weapons, authentication holds the highest promise as a security approach that can provide effective protection. Authentication is so effective because it can be a response to both internal and external rogue intrusion to the wireless network. Other access control methods are limited to internal attack but they still deserve to be included in the computer security plan.

Physical access control however cannot be overlooked in importance. Internal rogue access of the wireless network occurs within the firewall and utilizes access points supported by the infrastructure of the company. So two primary controls should be reviewed for feasibility and security at those points improved to cut down or eliminate the potential of a security breach. First of all, securing those access points by physical restraints or other technological resources that the I.T. department can introduce will cut down on the temptation to internal users to access the network from an unused entry point.

Secondly, rigorous monitoring of network use is in order. Oftentimes software network “sniffers” or other system level intelligence can be integrated into the wireless infrastructure and appropriate alerts or automated responses programmed into the day to day operation of the network. If such precautions are utilized, security assurance in the wireless network will improve noticeably.


Authentication

Authentication is an access control method that is well understood by the network users. Utilizing the login and password system, authentication not only permits network security to know who is utilizing the system and to control their access easily, it affords the ability to control with precision how each user can use the system, the level of security they can be granted and the level of impact each user is permitted to have on the data resources and network performance.

Computer security has long been regimented to make available security levels that range from low risk access to very highly secured networks such as those used by financial or military institutions. Such disciplines worked out under the mainframe paradigm do provide a structure for the organization to implement access control systems in the wireless landscape.