Re: Wireless Networks - to hide or not to hide

[Matthew Hodgett <m.hodgett () QUT EDU AU>]

Security by obscurity is not security. It would be expected that you
have other/ layered security controls in place to defend those devices
and networks. What is your case for using a hidden SID over a properly
named one? And yes, there are plenty of devices that have problems with
hidden SIDs, it could be argued that the administration/ support cost of
dealing with those devices out-ways the benefit.

If you require using such wireless devices I would recommend a well
named non-hidden SID with other appropriate security controls for this
type of wireless network.

Good luck.
Matthew


On 15/05/2014 2:34 AM, Wood, Anne (wood) wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Our Campus Technology Services group has been testing in-house solutions that use wireless devices that do not 
> connect to WPA2-Enterprise networks, such as Apple-Tvs, Rokus, Raspberry Pis, Ubiquiti power/monitoring controllers, 
> etc.  We initially set up a test hidden ssid using Mac address filtering to get a sense for how these devices might 
> be connected to our wireless network without causing additional confusion and/or curiosity within our user community. 
>  We are finding that several of these devices are not able to maintain reliable connections to a hidden ssid and I 
> have been asked to unhide this network.
>
> I am curious if others have made decisions on supporting these types of wireless devices on their networks, why those 
> decisions have been made (to support or not), and any advice that may offered to help guide my decision.
>
> Thanks so much!
> Anne
>
>
> Anne M. Wood
> Assistant VP & CIO
> Juniata College
>
>
>
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