A Comparative Study of Authentication Methods for Wi-Fi Networks

IEEE 802.11X, which is a key part of IEEE 802.11i, employs extensible authentication protocol (EAP) to support a variety of upper layer authentication methods each with different benefits and drawbacks. Any one of these authentication methods can be the ideal choice for a specific networking environment and security requirements. While offering more flexibility by leaving the selection of a suitable authentication method to choice is a distinct advantage, it does however, create a drawback in selecting a suitable authentication method for an organization´s security requirements. In this paper, an overview of EAP authentication framework is provided. Most commonly used upper layer authentication methods are explained. Finally, a table that compares authentication methods properties and security attributes is provided.