Challenges in Wireless Network Security

Challenges in Wireless Network Security

Introduction

Network security is not only about the WAN (Wide Area Network) but also the LAN (Local Area Network) as the two go hand in hand. It is possible to not only have an attack from the Internet but also internally. The moment any form of computer device becomes network capable or dependent of some form of network function, there is a given need for protection to safeguard the flow of information to and from the said device on a given network whether public or private and/or from a trusted to non-trusted source. The problem with locking down a network tightly is the administrative overhead it creates. The more secure the network becomes the greater the need is for someone or a team to administrate this. Eventually you would reach a point where it becomes impossible for the end-user to work due to the security practices in place. There has to be a fine balance between the two whilst still safeguarding the network and the information it contains.

Security Issues for Cellular Network

One major advantage of Cellular network security is the ability of communication to be done “Wirelessly” (Xiao et al, 2007). This means that the signals do not follow a specific assigned signal path which may be destroyed by vandals or even by nature, as in case of copper conductors or other physical media such as fiber optic. In addition, data security is enhanced by used of packed switched data in which data is send in form of packets and at no particular order only to be reconstructed at the receiver which makes intercepting such messages cumbersome. In addition, user authentication allows only specific users registered to a specific cellular service provider to use their resources thus allow proper billing to be charged according to the usage of the network(Xiao et al, 2007).

A security issue that arises from the use of the cellular networks is subscriber authentication. These systems consist of a large number of subscribers who need to be identified and verified before they can enjoy the services offered by the provider. If authentication is not properly done, then the network is vulnerable to misuse by subscribers not entitled to use the network leading to the service provider incurring losses. Confidentiality is another security issue that can be noted in cellular network (Ciampa, 2009). This is because the 'air' channel can be intercepted by malicious people and redirect signals to unintended recipients or even distorting the information signal lowering its credibility. This is method in which an attacker intercepts communication messages by sitting in between the access station and cell phone and changing them is referred to as Man in the Middle Attack (Ciampa, 2009). Privacy to the network user is a critical security issue that affects cellular networks. Since cellular networks employ cellular triangulation using base stations, then malicious people may obtain user locations by use of cellular networks causing a breach.

Disadvantages of Cellular Networks

The need for more infrastructures be ...