The Wi-Fi Alliance has introduced WPA3, 14 years after it launched WPA2. The new iteration brings next generation security in order to enhance Wi-Fi protections in the home and in businesses. WPA3 is able to bring better security to the table with its more “robust authentications” and increased cryptographic strength. As the world transitions to WPA3, older devices will remain compatible with the new standard.
WPA3 comes with two modes of operation, WPA3-Personal, and WPA-Enterprise. The Wi-Fi Alliance explained them both:
- “WPA3-Personal: more resilient, password-based authentication even when users choose passwords that fall short of typical complexity recommendations. WPA3 leverages Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE), a secure key establishment protocol between devices, to provide stronger protections for users against password guessing attempts by third parties.
- WPA3-Enterprise: offers the equivalent of 192-bit cryptographic strength, providing additional protections for networks transmitting sensitive data, such as government or finance. The 192-bit security suite ensures a consistent combination of cryptographic tools are deployed across WPA3 networks.”
Edgar Figueroa, President and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance gave a comment on the organisation’s news:
“WPA3 takes the lead in providing the industry’s strongest protections in the ever-changing security landscape. WPA3 continues the evolution of Wi-Fi security and maintains the brand promise of Wi-Fi Protected Access.”
Aside from WPA3, the Wi-Fi Alliance is also introducing Easy Connect. This new programme is designed to cater to the new devices coming online such as home speakers. Easy Connect lets users connect their IoT devices to Wi-Fi using a “more robust interface” such as a smartphone, or by scanning a QR code.
The last announcement was Enhanced Open. When this feature rolls out widely, no longer will we have to sign up through various company portals to join guest networks, instead we’ll be able to securely connect with improved data protections than we get right now.
Source: Wi-Fi Alliance