Challenges in 802.11 encryption algorithms: The need for an adaptive scheme for improved performance

Wireless LAN (WLAN), despite its popularity, is subject to various security threats. Encrypting the data being transmitted is one of the approaches to address such risks. However, encryption algorithms are known to be computationally intensive and the relation between the strength of encryption and computational intensity is inversely proportional. In this paper, we discuss the challenges in the implementation of encryption algorithm in WLAN. We then compare and analyze the results of experiments to compare these algorithms vis-a-vis their energy consumption. It will be seen that different encryption schemes are fit for different types of messages. We propose an intelligent encryption scheme for optimal security.