OTF Exclusive WPA3 Security Protocol Announced

[Jithin91]

Wi-Fi Alliance announces WPA3 Security Protocol for Protecting Wireless Devices

Specific technical details are still scarce, though the benefits of WPA3 include hardened individualized data encryption on open Wi-Fi networks, security protections even when users choose passwords that are not sufficiently complex, and a simplified security management process for devices without screens (or screens large enough to be useful for a given task, imagine difficult to configure IoT gadgets), and the use of 192-bit security suite. The first WPA3-certified devices are expected to ship this year. Given that devices require certification to use WPA3, it seems unlikely that routers or other devices will be able to start using WPA3 via firmware updates, though this depends on the generosity of the manufacturer.

PRESS RELEASE

Wi-Fi Alliance® introduces security enhancements

New Wi-Fi® security features available in 2018

Las Vegas, NV – January 8, 2018 – Wi-Fi Alliance® introduces enhancements and new features for Wi-Fi Protected Access®, the essential family of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ security technologies for more than a decade. Wi-Fi Alliance is launching configuration, authentication, and encryption enhancements across its portfolio to ensure Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices continue to implement state of the art security protections.

WPA2™ provides reliable security used in billions of Wi-Fi® devices every day, and will continue to be deployed in Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices for the foreseeable future. Wi-Fi Alliance will continue enhancing WPA2 to ensure it delivers strong security protections to Wi-Fi users as the security landscape evolves. Advanced Wi-Fi applications will rely on WPA2 with Protected Management Frames, broadly adopted in the current generation of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices, to maintain the resiliency of mission-critical networks. New testing enhancements will also reduce the potential for vulnerabilities due to network misconfiguration, and further safeguard managed networks with centralized authentication services.

Building on the widespread adoption and success of WPA2, Wi-Fi Alliance will also deliver a suite of features to simplify Wi-Fi security configuration for users and service providers, while enhancing Wi-Fi network security protections. Four new capabilities for personal and enterprise Wi-Fi networks will emerge in 2018 as part of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED WPA3™. Two of the features will deliver robust protections even when users choose passwords that fall short of typical complexity recommendations, and will simplify the process of configuring security for devices that have limited or no display interface. Another feature will strengthen user privacy in open networks through individualized data encryption. Finally, a 192-bit security suite, aligned with the Commercial National Security Algorithm (CNSA) Suite from the Committee on National Security Systems, will further protect Wi-Fi networks with higher security requirements such as government, defense, and industrial.

“Security is a foundation of Wi-Fi Alliance certification programs, and we are excited to introduce new features to the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED family of security solutions,” said Edgar Figueroa, president and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. “The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED designation means Wi-Fi devices meet the highest standards for interoperability and security protections.”

“Wi-Fi security technologies may live for decades, so it’s important they are continually updated to ensure they meet the needs of the Wi-Fi industry,” said Joe Hoffman, SAR Insight & Consulting. “Wi-Fi is evolving to maintain its high-level of security as industry demands increase.”

Wi-Fi Alliance announces WPA3 security protocol for protecting wireless devices

 

[Bapun]

Building on the widespread adoption and success of WPA2, Wi-Fi Alliance will also deliver a suite of features to simplify Wi-Fi security configuration for users and service providers, while enhancing Wi-Fi network security protections. Four new capabilities for personal and enterprise Wi-Fi networks will emerge in 2018 as part of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED WPA3™. Two of the features will deliver robust protections even when users choose passwords that fall short of typical complexity recommendations, and will simplify the process of configuring security for devices that have limited or no display interface. Another feature will strengthen user privacy in open networks through individualized data encryption. Finally, a 192-bit security suite, aligned with the Commercial National Security Algorithm (CNSA) Suite from the Committee on National Security Systems, will further protect Wi-Fi networks with higher security requirements such as government, defense, and industrial.

“Security is a foundation of Wi-Fi Alliance certification programs, and we are excited to introduce new features to the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED family of security solutions,” said Edgar Figueroa, president and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. “The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED designation means Wi-Fi devices meet the highest standards for interoperability and security protections.”

“Wi-Fi security technologies may live for decades, so it’s important they are continually updated to ensure they meet the needs of the Wi-Fi industry,” said Joe Hoffman, SAR Insight & Consulting. “Wi-Fi is evolving to maintain its high-level of security as industry demands increase.”

Wi-Fi Alliance® introduces security enhancements | Wi-Fi Alliance

 

[Sarkar]

The Wi-Fi Alliance — a consortium of tech giants that includes companies like Apple, Microsoft, Cisco and Intel — said in a statement timed for the opening of the annual Consumer Electronics Show that the new generation of the Wi-Fi Protected Access encryption protocol, called WPA3, would harden the connection between users' devices and Wi-Fi routers.

The current Wi-Fi standard, WPA2, has been around for almost 15 years. (You're probably using WPA2 on the computer or phone you're using to read this.) WPA2 has been remarkably robust, but the discovery of the Krack vulnerability in October — showing that today's Wi-Fi is completely hackable — made it clear that its time is running out.

The WiFi Alliance has promised that WPA3 will be backwards compatible for those who are likely to be slow to upgrade.

The Wi-Fi Alliance is also working on the emerging Wi-Fi 802.11ac and 802.11ax standards, designed to support multiple access points covering larger areas, and to help users manage traffic and prioritisations between multiple devices on their Wi-Fi networks. 802.11ax is expected to roll out this year but might not see much traction till at least 2019, and promises to improve speeds to up to 600MBps, manage device connections more intelligently, and direct radio waves at specific devices rather than broadcasting in all directions.

After 15 years, next-generation Wi-Fi is finally coming
Wi-Fi Alliance® introduces security enhancements | Wi-Fi Alliance

 

[sumitroy]

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., today introduced the industry’s first integrated 2x2 802.11ax-ready solution for smartphones, tablets and notebooks, bringing the most critical features of 11ax to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in advance of full standardization and certification. The new Qualcomm Technologies’ WCN3998 solution for client devices will significantly increase security through support of the WPA3 security protocol, making Qualcomm the first company to implement advance security features in 11ax solutions.

Qualcomm Introduces the Industry’s First Integrated 802.11ax-ready Solution for Smartphones and Computing Devices | Qualcomm

 

[Jithin91]

WPA3 certification starts today

Wi-Fi Alliance begins certifying products that support WPA3, the successor to the WPA2 security protocol that provides additional protections against attacks

Wi-Fi security is starting to get its biggest upgrade in over a decade