AI-powered intrusion detection systems and zero-trust wireless networks are some of the latest emerging technologies designed to boost wifi network security. Wifi security is essential to prevent unauthorized access to your network, protect your personal data, and even stop malware downloads to your devices. Yet, shockingly, as many as 70% of home wifi networks are at risk of being hacked due to weak passwords. This statistic only highlights the need for the general public to embrace strong wifi security best practices. Fortunately, cutting-edge developments in wifi security technology promise to help protect your privacy and keep you safer online.
AI-powered intrusion detection systems
AI-powered intrusion detection systems are an emerging technology that monitor and scan your network for threats around-the-clock. Unlike conventional IDS that typically rely on predetermined rules or keywords to identify threats, AI-powered IDS use advanced algorithms to look for deviations from expected traffic. That means they can spot unknown or new threats much faster than traditional systems. So, for example, AI-powered IDS can immediately notice when a particular device within a network starts behaving differently to how it usually does. An immediate alert is then sent, so fast action can be taken to block the attack and keep your network secure. AI-powered IDS can also effectively monitor and identify threats within a large ecosystem of wifi-connected devices, whereas traditional IDS typically find it difficult to analyze such a high volume of network traffic. In fact, AI-powered IDS is also accurate to an impressive degree, with a precision rate ranging from 80%-95%. When deep learning — an advanced machine learning technique — is used in AI-powered IDS, the technology can even be up to 99% accurate. WIth deep learning, models are taught to process data similar to how the human brain does. AI-powered IDS can consequently assess whether a file or traffic is malware or not in a fraction of a second.
AI-powered IDS are currently in development, with the need for strong data sets and algorithms essential in order to successfully train effective models. However, since there’s currently a lack of standardization when it comes to the various standards and protocols connected devices typically adhere to, developers can find it difficult to gather the comprehensive data sets needed to train error-free models. Fortunately, a number of tech giants have nevertheless made recent investments designed to advance wifi security technology — for example, Microsoft Defender for Internet of Things (IoT) is a cutting-edge security solution that comprehensively secures connected devices. However, greater investment in AI-powered IDS is still needed to perfect the technology and position it as a mainstream wifi security solution.
Zero-trust wireless networks
Zero-trust wireless networks are an emerging security architecture that operates on a stringent zero-trust policy for all devices, so threats can be better prevented. Whenever a device attempts to access and move around the network, its identity must always be verified — even if it’s a device already known to the network. Traditional wifi network security, on the other hand, automatically trusts all devices by default once they’ve initially been authenticated. But with this approach, a hacker who manages to gain access to the network is therefore free to perform damaging or disruptive actions undetected. A zero-trust policy eliminates this security vulnerability and ensures mandatory user verification at each access step. In particular, least privilege access is a key component of zero-trust networks. This means a user or device is granted the bare minimum in terms of resources or data needed to complete a given task and nothing more. In turn, you can keep your processes free from over-privileged users — anyone who may have been granted greater access to resources or data than they really need. Least privilege access essentially grants only the appropriate permissions, and therefore lowers the risk of potential misuse of privileges, data breaches, and malicious attacks.
Technology is continually evolving to improve wifi security and make networks safer for everyday users. Fortunately, AI-powered intrusion detection systems and zero-trust wireless networks are just some of the latest emerging technologies designed to eliminate network vulnerabilities, keep hackers out, and ensure your wireless network remains secure in the long-term.
Author: Nina Sumner