Here are some common risks that need to be considered:
1. Unclear requirements
If you clarify the requirements first when deploying a wireless network, then the wireless network may not meet the needs of users. In terms of implementation, poor requirements are often the reason for the failure of information system planning. Therefore, clear requirements must be defined before the deployment process goes far. For example, you may install 802.11g today to support a small number of users to access email and browse the Internet. After 10 months, this institution may increase the density of users or require multimedia applications with higher performance requirements. This institution will face a decision to transition to 802.11n. After carefully considering the requirements, start implementing them correctly so that you can choose the right technology from the beginning.
2. Radio frequency interference
2.4GHz and 5GHz cordless phones, microwave ovens, and nearby networks can cause destructive radio frequency interference, affecting the performance of a wireless network. To minimize the risk of radio frequency interference, a wireless site survey should be conducted before installing an access point to detect the presence of interference and measures to counteract it. The problem with radio frequency interference is that it is not always controllable. For example, you may have deployed a 2.4 GHz 802.11n wireless network in an office environment, and then three months later, a neighboring company installed a wireless network using the same frequency. This will cause mutual interference between these two wireless networks. The possible solution to minimize this risk is to use directional antennas to ensure that the transmission and reception power of your wireless network is only within your facility. This will limit the impact of interfering wireless networks. You can also specify the use of a 5 GHz 802.11n network. This will provide greater flexibility in selecting channels that do not interfere with each other.
3. Security vulnerabilities
The possibility of unauthorized access to enterprise information is a significant threat for wireless networks. A eavesdropper can passively receive and view 802.11 data frames using free wireless network analyzers such as WireShark. Of course, this may leak credit card numbers, passwords, and other sensitive information. To avoid such security risks, you must carefully evaluate the security vulnerabilities of wireless networks and determine effective security policies based on the value of the information you want to protect. In some cases, you may only need the protection of a firewall. Other applications may require effective encryption formats. Identity recognition based on 802.1x ports will also provide enhanced security.
4. Application Programming Interface
In some cases, the interfaces of applications located on various hosts and servers can cause significant issues when using wireless networks. Relatively brief disconnections caused by radio frequency interference or poor coverage can lead to errors in certain applications. This situation often occurs in honest applications without wireless system error recovery mechanisms. For example, a user may be using an inventory management application, scanning items and entering the total number through the keyboard on the scanner. If there is a connection interruption after scanning the barcode and before entering the total number, this host based application may record usage before completing inventory processing. Therefore, this application may record incorrect or illegal values of inventory items on the host. To avoid this type of risk, it is important to carefully define the types of applications that wireless user devices will connect to. If needed, enterprise solutions such as wireless middleware software (NetMotion) will provide sufficient processing and recovery mechanisms related to wireless networks.
By identifying and addressing these potential threats, you will be more successful in deploying wireless networks.