WAN Security

While a WAN does not require its own security protocol, WLANs (wide local area networks) may be subject to exploitation if additional measures are not applied. Access points in earlier networks did not have the ability to determine whether or not a specific user truly had full authorization to access network resources. This was an issue that effected many wireless networks until Ethernet ports became available to provide access to local networks. The scalability of a WAN essentially reduced the problem as many organizations had reliable security implementations intact. On the other hand, data signals transmit outside of buildings and across various borders, a factor that can make physical security irrelevant. This is one of the biggest issues related to wireless security. Both wired and wireless networks have security issues. For instance, it would be very simple for an intruder to connect their own computer to a wired network and gain instant access. A solution that may work for both networks is end-to-end encryption. This can be combined with independent authentication for resources not intended for public use.