What should security defenses in wireless networks focus on due to inherent vulnerabilities?

In wireless networks, security defenses should focus on higher-level network protocols due to the inherent vulnerabilities associated with wireless communication. Wireless networks are susceptible to various forms of attacks such as eavesdropping, unauthorized access, and man-in-the-middle attacks. These risks arise primarily because wireless signals can be intercepted by anyone within range, making the transmission of sensitive information particularly vulnerable.

Higher-level network protocols provide essential security features like data encryption, authentication, and integrity checks that can significantly mitigate these risks. Protocols such as WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3) offer robust encryption methods and improved security measures for safeguarding data transmission over wireless networks. By using these advanced protocols, organizations can better protect their wireless communications against interception and other malicious activities, ensuring that data remains secure even when shared over a potentially insecure medium.

On the other hand, while physical security controls, wireless signal strength management, and hardware encryption do contribute to overall network security, they do not address the specific vulnerabilities present in wireless communication as effectively as higher-level protocols do. Physical security is more focused on restricting access to network hardware, while managing signal strength does not inherently provide encryption or authentication. Hardware encryption, while important, may not be sufficiently comprehensive or adaptable to the diverse threats faced in wireless environments