Wireless networks provide the connectivity that modern workplaces depend upon, but they also broadcast your network’s presence to anyone within range. Unlike wired connections that require physical access to a port, wireless networks extend beyond building walls, into car parks, neighbouring offices, and public spaces. This physical accessibility makes wireless infrastructure an attractive target for attackers.
Rogue access points represent one of the most common wireless threats in corporate environments. Employees who find the corporate wireless slow or inconvenient sometimes connect personal access points to the wired network, creating an unmonitored bridge that bypasses all wireless security controls. Attackers employ the same technique deliberately, installing hidden access points during physical access opportunities.
Evil twin attacks create convincing replicas of legitimate corporate wireless networks. Attackers set up access points using the same network name and configuration as the real network. When devices connect to the malicious twin, all traffic passes through the attacker’s equipment, enabling credential interception, session hijacking, and man-in-the-middle attacks against encrypted connections.
Legacy wireless protocols persist in many environments despite known security weaknesses. WPA2-Personal with pre-shared keys remains common in corporate settings where WPA2-Enterprise or WPA3 would provide substantially stronger security. Shared passwords that never change, distributed widely among employees and visitors, effectively make the wireless encryption meaningless against any motivated attacker.
Wireless network segmentation often falls short of what security requires. Guest networks that share the same physical infrastructure as corporate networks without proper isolation allow guests to reach internal resources. IoT devices on wireless networks that bridge to production segments create paths that bypass intended security boundaries.
Expert Commentary
William Fieldhouse | Director of Aardwolf Security Ltd
“Wireless networks remain surprisingly vulnerable in many corporate environments. We regularly discover rogue access points, weak encryption protocols, and insufficient segmentation between wireless and wired networks during our assessments. An attacker sitting in a car park with the right equipment can often reach your internal network through wireless vulnerabilities.”
Regular internal network penetration testing that includes wireless assessment components identifies these vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them. Professional testers survey the wireless environment for rogue access points, test encryption strength, evaluate segmentation effectiveness, and attempt to gain internal network access through wireless attack techniques.
Wireless intrusion detection systems monitor the radio environment for suspicious activity. These tools detect rogue access points, evil twin attacks, deauthentication floods, and other wireless-specific threats. Without dedicated wireless monitoring, attacks against your wireless infrastructure operate completely undetected.
Certificate-based authentication for wireless access eliminates the weaknesses of password-based systems. Each device authenticates with a unique certificate that can be revoked individually when devices are compromised or decommissioned. This approach prevents credential sharing, eliminates password exposure risks, and provides much stronger device identity assurance.
Physical wireless coverage should align with operational needs rather than maximising range. Reducing signal strength to match building boundaries limits the distance from which attackers can engage with your network. Directional antennas, power adjustments, and shielding all contribute to containing wireless signals within intended areas. Getting a penetration test quote that includes wireless assessment helps quantify your exposure and prioritise remediation.
Wireless security requires the same rigour as wired network security, yet many organisations treat it as a convenience feature rather than a critical infrastructure component. The organisations that secure their wireless environments thoroughly deny attackers an entry point that less diligent competitors leave wide open.
