Home Wi-Fi industry standards needed to fuel IoT growth

Wi-Fi industry standards needed to fuel IoT growth

For the Internet of Things (IoT) to grow to its full potential, security systems for enterprise Wi-Fi networks need to copy their more efficient wireless brethren, cellular networks and develop security standards tailored for the burgeoning IoT revolution.

According to an article in NetworkWorld, multiple obstacles exist when attempting to securely connect a complex array of IoT elements and sensors into a Wi-Fi network. Currently, configuring each IoT sensor with a service set identifier (SSID), identity and credentials is very time-consuming and makes the system vulnerable to user-entered errors.

Proprietary solutions from some IoT vendors are beginning to come to market but industry experts are pushing for standards that are vendor-independent.

Enter two new solutions to this problem, promoted by the Wi-Fi Alliance: the Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP) and Passpoint certification.

The DPP enables new devices to be added to a network via the smartphone of an already-authenticated user, much like an employee can give a visitor guest access on a system. The prime advantage of DPP is that it maintains security when adding a new device over Wi-Fi, so that its unique credentials are encrypted and kept hidden from the sponsor.

wifi-industry-2

This protocol offers the benefit of a standardized, vendor-independent system for configuring IoT sensors, providing the sponsor is near proximity.

In other circumstances when users might desire an out-of-the-box approach instead, the Wi-Fi Alliance offers an alternative in the Passpoint certification.

Passpoint certification allows federated authentication and network discovery by publishing a list of service providers it represents via an access point rather than an SSID. This service provider list enables pre-authentication, and creates a system that is nearly zero-touch. If properly configured, an enterprise could use Passpoint to avoid reconfiguring sensors while retaining network access control.

Wi-Fi industry protocols still challenging

Yet the challenges of using Wi-Fi to connect IoT sensors remain, as Passpoint is not extensively deployed and DPP is not yet officially certified.

Meanwhile, cellular networks are much more efficient at wirelessly integrating IoT, with SIM cards containing all the configuration information needed such as passwords, device identity and network selection. The Wi-Fi industry needs to emulate the functional efficiency of cellular networks and unite around standards and certifications to catch up, or IoT’s growth will be hampered.

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.