Transcript Mike Hohnka - Institute for Networking and Security Research

Wireless Network
Security
PRESENTED BY:
Mr. Michael J. Hohnka
Wireless Technologies Department Head
Communications and Imaging Division
Applied Research Laboratory
[email protected]
(814) 867-4145
Mission
The Wireless Technologies Department is part of the
Communications and Imaging Division within the
Communications, Information and Navigation Office at ARL.
In the Department...

We perform basic and applied research, exploratory development,
and advanced development in support of program sponsors

We champion the transfer of advanced technologies to naval
acquisition programs and fleet operations as well as to other
government agencies and the private sector
One hundred years ago.…

April 14/15, 1912
Titanic hits iceberg
and sinks in North
Atlantic.

~ 1500 lives lost
Let’s look at the role that wireless played in this disaster
Titanic Wireless Technology

After Titanic hit iceberg,
SOS sent almost
continuously until ship
ultimately sunk

SS Californian nearby
(~10 miles)

Consisted of “Marconi” set

Comms simply by Morse
Code (…---…)

Enabled comms to other
ships in vicinity and shorebased stations
Why didn’t Californian aid Titanic?

Titanic sent SOS for ~ 3
hours

Californian certainly
capable of receiving SOS

Californian had Marconi
set powered off for night!

It was not the technology that failed; it was failure in the way that the
technology was used

Laws were then implemented requiring 24 hour monitoring of Marconi
systems

This was an attempt to correct the way that the technology was used
What does this have to do with Network Security?
Titanic Wireless Security Issues

Was there concern over lost/stolen
Marconi devices?

How about malware and viruses
getting inadvertently loaded onto a
Marconi system?

Were open Wi-Fi networks and Public Hotspots an issue?

What about the problems associated with a personal Marconi being put on a
company network?
Titanic Wireless Security Issues

Was there concern over lost/stolen
Marconi devices?

How about malware and viruses
getting inadvertently loaded onto a
Marconi system?

Were open Wi-Fi networks and Public Hotspots an issue?

What about the problems associated with a personal Marconi being put on a
company network?
The answer to all of these questions is obviously NO.
But they are all concerns 100 years later with current
wireless devices!
BYOD
Bring Your Own Device

We are in an era where a personal device can be used to
access corporate data

Email, appropriately mapped storage, Intranet

Basically to do work outside of work
What’s the Big Deal?

According to Forrester Research, more than half of US
information workers now pay for their smartphones and
monthly plans to do work for their employers……
BUT!!!!
What’s the Big Deal?

According to Forrester Research, more than half of US
information workers now pay for their smartphones and
monthly plans to do work for their employers……
BUT!!!!

Studies also show that consumers are lax about mobile
security……
What’s the Biggest Risk?

Is it malware or viruses?
•
If you own an Android phone or iPhone you’re 2.5 more
times likely to accidently download malware today than you
were in January.
What’s the Biggest Risk?

Is it malware or viruses?
•
If you own an Android phone or iPhone you’re 2.5 more times
likely to accidently download malware today than you were in
January.
NO!
What’s the Biggest Risk?

Is it malware or viruses?
•
If you own an Android phone or iPhone you’re 2.5 more times
likely to accidently download malware today than you were in
January.
NO!

Is it using your device on an open Wi-Fi or public hotspot?
•
In 2011 the UK based newspaper The Guardian set up a mock WiFi hotspot in an airport and was easily able to obtain user
information ranging from email passwords to credit card
information.
What’s the Biggest Risk?

Is it malware or viruses?
•
If you own an Android phone or iPhone you’re 2.5 more times
likely to accidently download malware today than you were in
January.
NO!

Is it using your device on an open WI-FI or public hotspot?
•
In 2011 the UK based newspaper The Guardian set up a mock WiFi hotspot in an airport and was easily able to obtain user
information ranging from email passwords to credit card
information.
NO!
The Biggest Risk

It is a lost or stolen device
•
“Security experts agree most of the threats to mobile devices
come in the form of people losing their devices or having them
stolen”
- eWeek.com, “Dealing with Enterprise Mobile Security” Oct 6, 2010
In Closing…..

Protect your device

Don’t be the “iceberg that
sinks your company’s data!”
The Applied Research Laboratory
The Pennsylvania State University
Questions?
ARL Penn State
P.O. Box 30
State College, Pennsylvania 16804