Multi-dimensional Analyses of 802.11 Wireless Network Security Protocols

Wireless networks have become so ubiquitous that researchers all over the world have come up with various security protocols to ensure confidentiality and integrity of data as well as availability of resources. IEEE 802.11 task group drafted a new wireless security protocol known as robust security network (RSN circa 2009) erstwhile Wi-Fi alliance came up with Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). The preceding security standard, Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) has been widely deployed. However it has now been established that WEP security is no security at all. In addition reported attacks on WPA have left the end user wondering whether wireless network is really secure. This study presents a holistic view of various security paradigms in place as well as addresses how the choice of an operating environment affects issues related to wireless network security.