Which protocol is an example of mutual authentication for wireless security?

Mutual authentication refers to a security process where both the client and the server authenticate each other's identities before establishing a secure connection. In the context of wireless security, one of the key protocols that provides mutual authentication is PEAP (Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol).

PEAP creates a secure tunnel within which the user's credentials are transmitted. It employs a server-side certificate to authenticate the server to the client, ensuring that the client is communicating with a legitimate access point. After the server is authenticated, it allows for the user credentials to be sent securely and usually involves further protocols like EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) to also authenticate the client back to the server.

This two-way authentication is critical in preventing man-in-the-middle attacks and ensures that both parties in a wireless communication can trust each other. Unlike other protocols, such as WPA2, WEP, or Open Authentication, PEAP specifically incorporates a mechanism for mutual authentication, making it a fitting choice for organizations concerned about security in wireless environments.