Wireless AP is responsible for providing wireless network coverage and access services, converting wired network signals into wireless signals, and allowing wireless devices to connect to the network. AC is responsible for centralized management and control of multiple APs, including configuration, monitoring, authentication, and security functions for APs. This combination can achieve unified management and control of wireless networks, improving network stability, security, and ease of management.

Enhancing the security of industrial networking: encrypted communication and access control between wireless AP and AC

In the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) environment, network security is of utmost importance. As the number of connected devices increases, ensuring the secure transmission of data and preventing unauthorized access becomes a top priority. The combination of wireless access points (AP) and access controllers (AC) provides an efficient and secure management method for industrial networking applications.

1. The basis of wireless AP and AC

Wireless access point (AP): responsible for converting wired networks into wireless networks, achieving wireless coverage of the network, and ensuring network connectivity in every corner.

Access controller (AC): It is used to centrally control several controllable wireless APs in the local area network, including issuing configurations, modifying configuration parameters, RF intelligent management, and access security control.

2. Encrypted communication

Encryption standard: It is recommended to use WPA2 or higher WPA3 encryption standards to effectively prevent network attacks such as man-in-the-middle attacks (MITM) and brute force attacks.

Key management: AC should centrally manage the keys of all APs to ensure regular updates and distribution of keys. Further enhance security using dynamic key distribution technology (such as TKIP or CCMP).

3. Access control

User authentication: Adopt strong authentication mechanisms (such as 802.1X, RADIUS, or TACACS+) to ensure that only authenticated users can access network resources.

Access permission management: Role-based access control (RBAC) strategy, assigning different access permissions based on users' roles and responsibilities, to reduce potential security risks.

Network isolation: Use VLAN policies to isolate the networks of different departments or devices to reduce the spread of internal threats.

Guest Network: Provide an independent guest network for visitors or temporary users, and limit their access privileges to ensure that guest users cannot access sensitive resources.

4. Other safety measures

Regular monitoring and auditing: AC should monitor network traffic and abnormal behavior in real time, provide detailed audit logs, and detect and respond to potential security threats in a timely manner.

Firmware Update: Regularly update the firmware of AP and AC, fix known security vulnerabilities and enhance functionality to ensure that the device is always kept up-to-date.

Network security training: Conduct network security training for employees to improve their security awareness and enhance their understanding and response capabilities to network threats.

5. Supplementary measures

Multi-factor authentication: In addition to basic user names and passwords, multi-factor authentication (such as fingerprint recognition, facial recognition, or mobile phone verification codes) can be introduced to improve the security of identity verification.

Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDS/IPS): Deploy an intrusion detection and prevention system to monitor and prevent network attacks in real time, improving network security.

Automation of security policies: Automation tools and technologies are used to achieve automated deployment and management of security policies, reducing human errors and vulnerabilities.

In the industrial IoT environment, the combination of wireless AP and AC provides strong support for network management and security. By using strong encryption technology, refined access control policies, and other security measures, the security of industrial networking can be significantly improved. These measures not only help to protect the secure transmission of data, but also prevent unauthorized access and the spread of internal threats. Therefore, in industrial networking applications, the encrypted communication and access control strategies of wireless AP and AC should be fully considered to ensure the safe and stable operation of the network.