In this article we will see what the Cisco Model 9800 WIFI Access Point Controller brings to the table.

We will also see how it can help us to manage the security of user and application access to these Wifi networks,
using WPA2 and WPA3 access protocols.

On this occasion we spoke with Josep Vargas, network and security expert of SOLUTEL’ s technical department.

Cisco Catalyst 9800: The New Era of Wireless Network Security

In the world of wireless networking, security is a key priority. Cisco, a leader in the networking industry, has developed the Catalyst 9800 controller series to provide advanced solutions for wireless network environments. This controller not only enables the management and monitoring of large-scale Wi-Fi networks, but also integrates robust security features that make it ideal for organizations that require high-level protection.

Next, we will explore some of the security benefits offered by the Catalyst 9800, including the transition between WPA2 and WPA3 protocols, the latest evolution in Wi-Fi security.

What is the Cisco Catalyst 9800?

The Cisco Catalyst 9800 is a wireless network controller designed to provide a fast, secure and highly reliable connectivity experience. This device allows organizations to manage access points and Wi-Fi networks in a centralized manner, facilitating the administration and configuration of security policies in a single point of control.

With the Catalyst 9800, Cisco integrates several security and performance features that help prevent vulnerabilities and improve efficiency in enterprise network environments.

Evolution of Security: WPA2 vs. WPA3

Over the years, the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security protocol has evolved to offer enhanced layers of protection to users. WPA2,

the standard protocol for more than a decade, has been widely used for its security and efficiency. However, the development of WPA3 represents a significant advance that addresses several of the limitations of WPA2.

Main Differences

Here we highlight some of the key differences that make WPA3 a major improvement:

1. Individualized Encryption: While WPA2 uses a shared encryption system for all users on a network, WPA3 implements individual encryption for each connected device. This means that each user’s information is more securely protected, as data from one device cannot be intercepted or decrypted by another device on the same network.
2. Protection against Brute Force Attacks: One of the weaknesses of WPA2 is its vulnerability to brute force attacks, where an attacker attempts to crack the password by trying multiple combinations. WPA3 solves this problem through a more secure authentication method called SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals), which hinders attempts to crack the network key by repeated attempts.
3. Security for Open Networks: With WPA2, open networks, such as those found in coffee shops or airports, do not offer encryption for user data. WPA3 introduces OWE (Opportunistic Wireless Encryption), which adds encryption to open networks, protecting user data even in such non-password-protected networks.
4. Enhanced Resilience for IoT (Internet of Things): With the growth of IoT devices, which often have limited processing capabilities, WPA3 also includes an appropriate level of security for these devices. This ensures that networks with IoT devices remain secure without affecting performance.

How does the Cisco Catalyst 9800 benefit from WPA3?

The Cisco Catalyst 9800 controller is designed to take advantage of all these WPA3 enhancements, providing an advanced and adaptable security layer for modern networks.

Thanks to its security-centric architecture, the Catalyst 9800 allows the configuration of specific policies that integrate the use of WPA3, achieving better protection without affecting the user experience.

Cisco also implements features such as end-to-end data encryption in its Catalyst 9800s.

and network segmentation to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

Together with WPA3, these features make the Catalyst 9800 a solid choice for enterprise environments,

where confidentiality and data integrity are paramount.

Conclusion

The Cisco Catalyst 9800 represents a major step forward in wireless network management and security. By combining it with the WPA3 protocol, organizations can have a more secure network infrastructure, ready to face today’s threats and protect both users and connected devices.

With WPA3, Cisco Catalyst 9800 provides a robust security layer that helps mitigate vulnerabilities, resist attacks and keep data secure in an ever-evolving Wi-Fi environment.