WiFi 7 introduces groundbreaking features like Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and faster data speeds.
But to unlock its full potential, you need:
A WiFi 7 access point
A WiFi 7 client device
Compliance with Wi-Fi 7 security requirements defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance
Without all three, your WiFi 7 network may fall back to WiFi 6 speeds.
Ensuring your WiFi 7 network is correctly designed and secured starts with a professional WiFi site survey, which validates coverage, capacity, and security before deployment.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about WiFi 7 security, including AKMs, cipher suites, enterprise and personal security modes, AP beacon protection, and real-world deployment insights.
AKMs verify users and manage encryption keys. Think of them like a combination lock on a safe - they control who can access your network. As part of a WiFi site survey, Redway Networks engineers validate beacon frames, security settings, and client compatibility to ensure your network is truly WiFi 7 ready.
Cipher suites encrypt data and ensure integrity, like the metal body of a safe protecting its contents.
Together, AKMs and cipher suites secure WiFi connections. WPA2 and WPA3 are combinations of AKMs and cipher suites working together.
For enterprise deployments, the Wi-Fi Alliance mandates:
AKM 1 (from WPA2-Enterprise) is no longer allowed
GCMP-256 encryption is mandatory
GCMP-256 Advantages:
Stronger security: 256-bit encryption instead of 128-bit (CCMP)
Increased efficiency: Reduced processing overhead, improving performance on low-powered devices
If your SSID uses WPA2-Enterprise on a Wi-Fi 7 AP, it will fall back to Wi-Fi 6 and only operate on 2.4 and 5 GHz. To unlock Wi-Fi 7 speeds and 6 GHz, use WPA3-Enterprise or WPA3-Enterprise Transition Mode.
AKM 24: SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals) with group-dependent hash
AKM 25: SAE with Fast Transition (FT) for 802.11r fast roaming
Key points:
Hash algorithm varies with the Diffie-Hellman (DH) group (e.g., Group 21 → 512-bit hash)
Hash-to-Element is now enforced across all frequency bands
PSK AKMs (WPA2-Personal) are forbidden
GCMP-256 cipher is required
WPA2-Personal networks on Wi-Fi 7 will downgrade to Wi-Fi 6. Use WPA3-Personal or WPA3-Personal Transition Mode to access full Wi-Fi 7 capabilities.
Legacy Open networks are forbidden
OWE Transition Mode is forbidden
GCMP-256 is mandatory for OWE
Only pure OWE allows full Wi-Fi 7 speeds.
AP Beacon Protection adds a Message Integrity Code (MIC) to the beacon frame. This ensures that beacons are tamper-free and safe.
Mandatory for all Wi-Fi 7 connections, regardless of security type
Wi-Fi 7 APs must still support older clients.
New AKMs are not backward compatible
Some legacy clients do not support GCMP-256
Solution: Configure your SSID with multiple AKMs and cipher suites to ensure compatibility while maintaining security.
None met all WiFi 7 requirements
~50% still used WPA2 or Open (forbidden types)
Only one BSSID used GCMP-256
No SSIDs used AP beacon protection
Some Wi-Fi 7 connections still form using optional AKMs/cipher suites, but mandatory requirements like AKM24, GCMP-256, and beacon protection are essential for future-proof security.
WPA2 AKMs are still popular
WPA3 AKMs are gaining traction
CCMP-128 remains common; CCMP-256 is rare and mostly used in hidden mesh networks
Tip: Use our AKM/Cipher Suite Cheat Sheet to configure SSIDs correctly for maximum compatibility.
All frequency bands must use the same AKM for Multi-Link Operation (MLO)
During roaming, mismatched AKMs/cipher suites between WiFi 7 and older APs can disconnect clients
Solutions:
Reduce Wi-Fi 7 AP capabilities (less ideal)
Add new AKMs/cipher suites to non-WiFi 7 APs (recommended)
Engineers can check which AKMs and cipher suites are active using beacon frames under the RSN information tag.
Example: SSID with GCMP-256 + CCMP-128 and AKM8 + AKM24
Ensures both client compatibility and optimal WiFi 7 performance
Without WPA3, GCMP-256 encryption, and AP Beacon Protection, WiFi 7 networks cannot deliver their full performance and will fall back to WiFi 6 behaviour. Correct configuration, validation, and real-world testing are essential to ensure WiFi 7 deployments are secure, compatible, and future-proof.