Infrastructure & Network Security

Wireless Security & Rogue Access Point (AP) Detection

  • May 9, 2025
  • 0

Sherlocked Security – Wireless Security & Rogue Access Point (AP) Detection

Secure the Airwaves: Prevent Wireless Threats and Rogue Access

1. Statement of Work (SOW)

Service Name: Wireless Security Assessment & Rogue AP Detection
Client Type: Enterprises, Healthcare, Education, Retail, Critical Infrastructure
Service Model: Assessment & Threat Detection / Continuous Monitoring
Compliance Alignment: PCI-DSS, HIPAA, NIST 800-53, ISO/IEC 27001, CIS v8 (Control 13 & 14)

Wireless Security Services Cover:

  • Wireless network architecture review
  • Detection of rogue and unauthorized APs
  • Weak encryption and misconfiguration detection
  • Wireless segmentation validation
  • Wireless IDS/IPS integration
  • Site survey and RF analysis
  • Policy, visibility, and monitoring enhancements

2. Our Approach

[RF Spectrum Mapping] → [Wireless Policy Review] → [Attack Surface Discovery] → [Rogue AP Hunt] → [Remediation Planning] → [Continuous Monitoring Setup]

3. Methodology

  • Wireless Network Discovery: Scan and map all visible SSIDs, BSSIDs, channels, and signal strengths.
  • Rogue AP Detection: Identify APs spoofing enterprise SSIDs or not managed by corporate systems.
  • Client Association Analysis: Detect users connecting to unauthorized or insecure APs.
  • Encryption & Auth Review: Check for weak WPA2/WPA3 configurations, open networks, and default credentials.
  • Segmentation Validation: Confirm guest networks are isolated from internal segments.
  • Site Survey (Optional): Conduct RF walk-through to map coverage, interference, and signal bleed.
  • Wireless IDS/IPS Review: Evaluate existing wireless threat detection capabilities.
  • Threat Simulation: Optional wireless attack simulations (evil twin, deauth, WPA handshake capture).
  • Remediation & Governance: Recommend policy, configuration, and monitoring improvements.

4. Deliverables to the Client

  1. Wireless Threat Assessment Report
  2. Rogue AP Discovery Log
  3. SSID Mapping & Risk Rating
  4. Wireless Policy Gap Analysis
  5. RF Site Survey Report (if applicable)
  6. Encryption & Auth Findings
  7. Client Device Risk Summary
  8. Remediation Plan (short-term & long-term)
  9. Monitoring & Governance SOP
  10. Wireless Security Hardening Guide

5. What We Need from You (Client Requirements)

  • SSID/Network Inventory: List of approved SSIDs, VLAN mappings, and authentication types
  • Wireless Controller Access: Credentials or exports from Cisco, Aruba, Meraki, etc.
  • Physical Access (if on-site): For RF walk-throughs and access point inspections
  • Security Policies: Existing wireless access and guest network policies
  • Floor Plans: Optional for RF survey and AP location verification
  • Compliance Requirements: Standards requiring wireless security (e.g., PCI-DSS 4.2, HIPAA 164.312)

6. Tools & Technology Stack

  • Wireless Scanning & Assessment:
    • Aircrack-ng, Kismet, WiFi Explorer, Acrylic Wi-Fi, Ekahau, NetSpot
  • Rogue AP Detection:
    • Kismet, WIDS/WIPS platforms (e.g., Cisco MSE, Aruba AirWave, FortiWLC, Mist)
  • Protocol/Encryption Analysis:
    • Wireshark, hcxdumptool, EAPOL capture utilities
  • Monitoring/Logging:
    • Syslog, SIEM (Splunk, Sentinel), WLC logs
  • Wireless Controllers Supported:
    • Cisco WLC, Aruba, Meraki, Fortinet, Ubiquiti, Mist
  • Compliance Mappings:
    • PCI-DSS, HIPAA, NIST 800-53 AC-18, CIS v8 Control 13.3/14.4

7. Engagement Lifecycle

  1. Scoping & Kickoff

    • Define wireless network footprint, business use, and compliance drivers

  2. Passive & Active Scanning

    • Detect SSIDs, rogue APs, open networks, misconfigured clients

  3. Policy & Architecture Review

    • Assess security configurations, authentication, segmentation

  4. Threat Simulation (Optional)

    • Execute simulated attacks to test detection and response

  5. Site Survey & Spectrum Mapping

    • Identify bleed-over, interference zones, signal coverage gaps

  6. Findings & Recommendations

    • Deliver risk ratings, remediation plans, and hardening strategies

  7. Monitoring & Governance Setup

    • SOPs for rogue detection, incident response, and logging

8. Why Sherlocked Security?

Feature Sherlocked Advantage
Rogue AP Expertise Deep experience in enterprise rogue AP detection and mitigation
Tool-Agnostic Methodology Uses both commercial and open-source tools for broad visibility
Compliance-Focused Aligns findings with PCI-DSS, HIPAA, NIST, and industry mandates
Hands-On Testing Offers real-world wireless threat simulation, not just passive scans
Governance Emphasis Includes SOPs and governance frameworks, not just tech fixes

9. Real-World Case Studies

Retail Chain – Rogue AP Audit

Client: National retail chain with 200+ locations
Problem: Corporate SSID was being spoofed in public malls near stores
Solution: Conducted passive scans, deployed WIDS sensors at select locations
Outcome: Identified over 50 rogue APs, updated staff access policies, enforced MAC filtering

University Campus – Wireless Segmentation Audit

Client: Large university with 50K+ users
Problem: Guest Wi-Fi allowed partial access to internal services
Solution: Wireless VLAN redesign and policy enforcement review
Outcome: Implemented proper guest segmentation, reducing internal attack surface

10. SOP – Standard Operating Procedure

  1. Pre-Assessment

    • Gather list of approved SSIDs, APs, and controller configs
    • Define wireless zones (guest, corp, IoT, etc.)

  2. Discovery & Scanning

    • Use passive and active scanning to enumerate all SSIDs and APs
    • Identify APs not in authorized inventory

  3. Rogue AP Detection & Validation

    • Validate MAC spoofing, rogue APs, or evil twin setups
    • Cross-check against controller/AP inventory

  4. Client Association Analysis

    • Detect users connecting to unauthorized APs
    • Identify potential credential theft risks

  5. Policy & Encryption Review

    • Review auth methods (PSK, EAP-TLS, etc.) and encryption (WPA2/WPA3)
    • Identify misconfigurations or weak implementations

  6. Site Survey (if included)

    • Walk-through with RF scanner to map coverage, noise, interference

  7. Findings & Remediation

    • Report with prioritized issues and hardening steps
    • Includes guest network isolation, WIDS/WIPS enhancements

  8. Ongoing Monitoring Setup

    • Deploy or tune rogue detection sensors
    • Configure alerting and log correlation with SIEM

11. Wireless Security Checklist

1. Before Engagement

  • [ ] Provide wireless architecture documents
  • [ ] List known SSIDs and controller platforms
  • [ ] Share previous wireless audits or logs
  • [ ] Floor plans for survey (if applicable)

2. During Engagement

  • [ ] Perform passive and active scans
  • [ ] Validate rogue APs and associated clients
  • [ ] Test encryption/auth configs
  • [ ] Assess segmentation effectiveness
  • [ ] Conduct RF walk-through (optional)

3. After Engagement

  • [ ] Review remediation plan and apply changes
  • [ ] Tune wireless controller security settings
  • [ ] Train staff on rogue AP risks
  • [ ] Enable monitoring alerts in SIEM or controller

4. Continuous Improvement

  • [ ] Schedule periodic wireless assessments
  • [ ] Automate rogue detection via controller/WIDS
  • [ ] Review access logs for anomalies
  • [ ] Update wireless access policy annually
  • [ ] Conduct periodic training for network and security teams
Network Architecture Review
Endpoint Detection & Response