Guidelines for Securing Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs)

Published

February 21, 2012

Author(s)

Murugiah P. Souppaya, Karen Scarfone

Abstract

A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a group of wireless networking devices within a limited geographic area, such as an office building, that exchange data through radio communications. The security of each WLAN is heavily dependent on how well each WLAN component--including client devices, APs, and wireless switches--is secured throughout the WLAN lifecycle, from initial WLAN design and deployment through ongoing maintenance and monitoring. The purpose of this publication is to help organizations improve their WLAN security by providing recommendations for WLAN security configuration and monitoring. This publication supplements other NIST publications by consolidating and strengthening their key recommendations.

Citation

Special Publication (NIST SP) - 800-153

Report Number

800-153

NIST Pub Series

Special Publication (NIST SP)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-153

Local Download

Keywords

Wireless Local Area Network, WLAN, IEEE 802.11, 802.11, access points, AP, wireless networking, wireless networking security

Citation

Souppaya, M. and Scarfone, K. (2012), Guidelines for Securing Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-153 (Accessed October 8, 2025)