In the world of wireless networking, security is a top priority. As attackers grow more sophisticated, so must our defences. One of the latest enhancements to WiFi security is the SAE Public Key method, introduced in WiFi Certified WPA3 . This mechanism strengthens the authentication process, particularly in open networks.
To understand SAE Public Key, we need to start with SAE – Simultaneous Authentication of Equals. SAE is a secure password-based authentication protocol used in WPA3..Unlike WPA2’s pre-shared key (PSK), SAE provides mutual authentication and protects against offline dictionary attacks, making it significantly more secure. SAE allows two parties to establish a shared key without transmitting the password. Even if someone captures the traffic, they can’t use it to guess the password offline.
This question was the focus of our Senior pre-sales consultant and Certified Wireless Network Expert, Lee Wright's presentation at Ekahau's WiFi Design Day.
In the video below, Lee delves into why there are so many bad practices associated with WiFi passwords and as WiFi threats continue to evolve how adopting technology like SAE Public Key can help keep your network one step ahead.