Episode 20 — Wireless Basics: 802.11, WPA2/3, and EAP
Wireless networking brings convenience and complexity in equal measure. This episode introduces the fundamentals of 802.11 standards, explaining how access points and clients communicate through channels, frames, and authentication exchanges. You’ll learn how radio frequency design affects performance and how interference, distance, and encryption all influence reliability and security. The episode breaks down common Wi-Fi architectures—standalone, controller-based, and cloud-managed—and discusses what each means for visibility and control.
Listeners will also explore how encryption has evolved from the weak protections of WEP to the robust mechanisms in WPA3. You’ll hear how authentication frameworks like the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) enable enterprise-grade security with methods such as EAP-TLS, and why these standards matter for compliance and defense. The discussion wraps with practical examples of how attackers exploit misconfigured networks and how administrators can balance usability with hardened settings. By the end, you’ll understand why wireless remains a vital part of the GSEC body of knowledge—and how mastery of its basics supports every other domain. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.
