How to Secure Your Wi-Fi 6 Network

With more smart home devices and Internet of Things (IoT) products connecting to home networks, Wi-Fi security has never been more important. The latest Wi-Fi standard, Wi-Fi 6, offers faster speeds and better performance. But you need to take steps to secure your Wi-Fi 6 network and protect your data.

In this article, you'll learn about the security features of Wi-Fi 6, including the robust WPA3 encryption protocol. You'll also get 10 tips to lock down your Wi-Fi 6 network, advice for securing business networks, and insights on the future of Wi-Fi security.

Securing your Wi-Fi 6 network helps ensure your sensitive information remains private. 

Wi-Fi 6 Security Protocols and Encryption

One of the key security advantages of Wi-Fi 6 is its support for the latest Wi-Fi security protocol, WPA3. This replaces the previous WPA2 standard used in prior Wi-Fi versions.

WPA3 offers more robust encryption and better password-based authentication than WPA2. Some key points about WPA3 encryption for Wi-Fi 6 networks:

• Uses the SA3 algorithm for stronger individual data encryption. This provides better protection against brute-force password attacks.

• Implements Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE). This establishes a stronger encryption key exchange between devices, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks.

• Enables 192-bit encryption keys for enhanced security compared to WPA2's 128-bit keys.

• Backward compatible with WPA2 devices. You can run a mixed WPA2/WPA3 network.

• More resistant to offline dictionary attacks that attempt to guess passwords.

In addition to WPA3, Wi-Fi 6 supports Enhanced Open and WPA3-Enterprise security methods. Enhanced Open offers basic open network encryption while WPA3-Enterprise boosts security for business networks.

Overall, WPA3 represents a major upgrade over the previous WPA2 protocol. It's a key advantage of upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 to better protect your home network.

10 Tips to Secure Your Wi-Fi 6 Network

Beyond using the latest WPA3 encryption, there are additional steps you should take to lock down your Wi-Fi 6 network and protect your connected devices.

Follow these 10 tips to beef up the security of your Wi-Fi 6 network:

• Use strong passwords - Set a complex, unique password for your Wi-Fi network. Avoid weak passwords that are easy to crack. Change it periodically.

• Update devices and firmware - Keep all devices on the network updated including routers, laptops, phones, and IoT devices. Firmware updates patch vulnerabilities.

• Enable WPA3 encryption - Use the latest WPA3 protocol and 128-bit encryption, not the older WPA2 standard. This is more secure.

• Disable unneeded features - Turn off any unused router services and features like remote management tools to reduce your attack surface.

• Use firewall protection - Leverage your router's built-in firewall or install third-party firewall software. Firewalls filter traffic and block threats.

• Create a guest network - Set up a separate guest network with its own SSID and password for visitors. This prevents access to your main network.

• Secure IoT devices - Many IoT devices have weak security. Change default passwords and update firmware to ensure safety.

• Be cautious with public Wi-Fi - Don't access sensitive info or accounts on public networks. Use a VPN to encrypt traffic.

• Monitor network activity - Check connected devices and review logs regularly to detect any unauthorized access attempts.

• Seek professional help if needed - If you need assistance securing your network, contact your ISP or a network security specialist.

Securing Wi-Fi 6 for Business Networks

For companies implementing Wi-Fi 6, there are additional security considerations beyond basic home network protection. Follow these tips when deploying Wi-Fi 6 for your business:

• Network segmentation - Split your network into subnets and use VLANs to separate departments. This limits access and reduces the blast radius if breached.

• Access controls - Leverage access control lists that define granular permissions for employees to access network resources based on their role.

• WPA3-Enterprise - Use the WPA3-Enterprise protocol to establish stronger authentication and dynamic encryption keys for each wireless client.

• Disable WPS - Turn off Wi-Fi Protected Setup on WAPs to prevent unauthorized access and brute force attacks.

• Update regularly - Set up a patch management system to push regular wireless network firmware and security updates.

• Secure management - Require VPN access to manage network infrastructure devices instead of opening management ports.

• Guest network - Offer a separate guest network for visitors with internet access only, no access to internal resources.

• Network monitoring - Use a wireless intrusion detection system to monitor Wi-Fi traffic patterns and detect potential breaches.

• User education - Train employees on wireless network security policies so they don't accidentally expose the organization.

The Future of Wi-Fi Security

Wi-Fi security continues to evolve with new standards and protocols still in development. Here are some innovations we may see in the future:

• WPA4 - The Wi-Fi Alliance is working on the next-generation WPA4 protocol. Details are limited but it will likely boost encryption strength.

• 6 GHz security - New security methods like Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE) have emerged to protect Wi-Fi 6E networks in the 6 GHz band.

• Machine learning security - ML will be applied more to detect network intrusions by analyzing traffic patterns for abnormalities.

• Passwordless authentication - Authentication standards like Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Easy Connect will enable passwordless login using QR codes or other methods.

• Physical layer security - Emerging phy layer security techniques add protection at the signal level, enhancing encryption.

• Quantum-secure encryption - With quantum computing on the rise, post-quantum cryptographic algorithms are being developed.

• Blockchain security - Blockchain and distributed ledger technology may improve security, access controls, and data protection.

The Wi-Fi Alliance and other standards bodies will continue enhancing wireless protocols to address new security threats. Staying up-to-date on the latest standards is key for protecting Wi-Fi networks.

FAQs About Wi-Fi 6 Security

Is WPA3 encryption mandatory for Wi-Fi 6?

No, WPA3 is optional but recommended. Wi-Fi 6 can still use WPA2 encryption, but WPA3 is more secure and takes advantage of Wi-Fi 6's capabilities.

How does Wi-Fi 6 improve security for open public networks?

Wi-Fi 6 supports Enhanced Open, which enables basic encryption on open public networks to provide some protection without needing a password.

Do I need a new router to use WPA3?

Not necessarily. Some Wi-Fi 5 routers can be updated to support WPA3 via firmware updates. But a Wi-Fi 6 router is recommended to take full advantage of WPA3.

What's the difference between WPA2-Personal and WPA3-Personal?

WPA2-Personal secures home Wi-Fi networks while WPA3-Personal is the equivalent for Wi-Fi 6 networks. Both use password-based security, but WPA3 offers better encryption.

How does WPA3 prevent brute-force password attacks?

WPA3 uses Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) to establish keys that resist brute force attacks. The improved encryption makes cracking Wi-Fi passwords much harder.

Can I use WPA2 and WPA3 at the same time?

Yes, Wi-Fi 6 supports transition mode allowing both WPA2 and WPA3 devices to connect to a network. The WPA3 clients get enhanced security.

What happens if I don't upgrade to WPA3?

Your Wi-Fi 6 network will still work fine, but you'll be missing out on the stronger encryption WPA3 offers. Without WPA3, Wi-Fi 6 security is comparable to Wi-Fi 5.