WPA2EAP

WPA2 Enterprise, often abbreviated as WPA2-EAP, is a robust security protocol used for Wi-Fi networks. It enhances security beyond the basic WPA2 Personal (PSK) by employing a more sophisticated authentication method. Instead of a shared pre-shared key known by all users, WPA2-EAP utilizes an authentication server, typically a RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) server, to verify each user's credentials individually. This makes it significantly more secure for enterprise environments where a single password for all users would be a considerable vulnerability.

The core of WPA2-EAP's security lies in the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), which is a framework for authentication. Various EAP methods can be used within WPA2-EAP, with EAP-TLS (Transport Layer Security) and PEAP (Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol) being among the most common. EAP-TLS uses digital certificates for mutual authentication, ensuring both the client and the access point verify each other's identity. PEAP, on the other hand, establishes a secure TLS tunnel first and then carries another EAP authentication method within that tunnel, often MS-CHAPv2.

This per-user authentication model means that each device or user on the network has its own unique credentials, which can be individual usernames and passwords, or certificates. This allows for granular control over network access and simplifies the process of revoking access for individual users without affecting others. WPA2-EAP is widely adopted in corporate offices, universities, and other organizations requiring high levels of network security and management.