Description

This curriculum spans the full lifecycle of wireless network governance within an ISO 27001 framework, comparable in depth to a multi-phase advisory engagement addressing risk, policy, architecture, identity, and audit across complex enterprise environments.

Module 1: Aligning Wireless Infrastructure with ISMS Scope and Risk Assessment

Determine whether guest, corporate, and IoT wireless networks fall within the ISO 27001 scope based on data classification and access requirements.
Map wireless access points and controllers to asset registers, ensuring consistent ownership and classification under A.8.1.1.
Conduct threat modeling for rogue access points and unauthorized bridging, integrating findings into the organization’s risk treatment plan.
Define risk acceptance criteria for legacy wireless equipment that cannot support WPA3 or 802.1X authentication.
Assess risks associated with wireless network segmentation in shared physical environments (e.g., co-location facilities).
Document wireless-related risks in the Statement of Applicability (SoA) with justifications for inclusion or exclusion of controls.
Evaluate the impact of wireless outages on business continuity objectives during risk assessment.
Coordinate with physical security teams to assess risks from unauthorized wireless devices introduced during third-party site visits.

Module 2: Policy Development and Control Mapping for Wireless Access

Define acceptable use policies specifying permitted wireless client types (e.g., BYOD vs. corporate-owned) and prohibited activities.
Map A.13.2.3 (Information Transfer Agreements) to wireless guest access for third-party vendors with contractual data handling clauses.
Enforce A.5.15 (Access Control Policy) by requiring explicit authorization for SSID broadcasting and wireless network creation.
Integrate wireless-specific clauses into the organization’s information security policy, referencing technical standards such as IEEE 802.11i.
Specify encryption and authentication requirements in policy to satisfy A.13.2.1 (Information Transfer Policies).
Define disciplinary consequences for circumventing wireless security controls, such as using personal hotspots for corporate data access.
Align wireless policy with regulatory mandates (e.g., PCI DSS for wireless in cardholder environments).
Establish policy review cycles to address emerging wireless technologies like Wi-Fi 6E and private 5G.

Module 3: Secure Wireless Network Architecture and Segmentation

Design VLAN segmentation to isolate guest, corporate, and IoT wireless traffic, minimizing lateral movement risks.
Implement firewall rules between wireless subnets and core infrastructure based on least privilege access principles.
Deploy separate SSIDs with distinct security policies for different user roles (e.g., executives, contractors, visitors).
Configure wireless LAN controllers (WLCs) to enforce dynamic VLAN assignment via RADIUS attributes from identity providers.
Restrict inter-VLAN routing between wireless segments to only required services (e.g., DNS, DHCP, authentication servers).
Integrate wireless networks into existing network zones and pathways defined in the organization’s network architecture diagrams.
Validate segmentation effectiveness through periodic penetration testing and packet capture analysis.
Design failover mechanisms for wireless controllers that maintain access control policies during outages.

Module 4: Authentication, Authorization, and Identity Integration

Implement 802.1X with EAP-TLS for machine and user authentication, integrating with existing PKI infrastructure.
Configure RADIUS servers to enforce role-based access control (RBAC) based on Active Directory group membership.
Enforce certificate revocation checking (CRL/OCSP) for EAP-TLS to prevent access by decommissioned or compromised devices.
Integrate wireless authentication logs with SIEM for correlation with identity lifecycle events (e.g., onboarding, offboarding).
Define fallback authentication methods (e.g., captive portal with MFA) for non-802.1X capable devices, with documented risk acceptance.
Validate MFA integration for guest access portals against A.9.4.2 (Authentication for External Access).
Enforce session timeouts and re-authentication intervals in line with A.9.4.3 (Management of Secret Authentication Information).
Monitor for authentication anomalies such as repeated failed attempts from wireless clients indicative of brute force attacks.

Module 5: Encryption and Protocol Hardening

Mandate WPA3-Enterprise for new deployments and enforce WPA2-Enterprise with AES-CCMP where WPA3 is unavailable.
Disable legacy protocols such as WEP, WPA, and TKIP across all access points through centralized configuration management.
Configure management interfaces on access points to use SSH and HTTPS only, disabling Telnet and HTTP.
Disable Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) on all access points due to known cryptographic vulnerabilities.
Enforce PMF (Protected Management Frames) to prevent deauthentication and spoofing attacks.
Implement opportunistic wireless encryption (OWE) for open guest networks to provide individualized data protection.
Regularly audit firmware versions to ensure support for current cryptographic standards and patch known protocol flaws.
Restrict use of PSKs to isolated, low-risk networks with frequent key rotation and documented justification in the SoA.

Module 6: Monitoring, Logging, and Incident Response

Enable wireless intrusion detection and prevention systems (WIDS/WIPS) to identify rogue APs, ad-hoc networks, and MAC spoofing.
Forward wireless controller logs to a centralized SIEM with correlation rules for anomalous connection patterns.
Define thresholds for event escalation, such as multiple authentication failures from a single device or unexpected channel usage.
Integrate wireless alerts with the organization’s incident management platform for ticketing and response tracking.
Conduct regular log reviews to detect unauthorized configuration changes to access points or controllers.
Include wireless-specific scenarios in incident response playbooks, such as containment of a compromised guest network.
Preserve wireless forensic artifacts such as association logs, RF signatures, and packet captures for post-incident analysis.
Test detection capabilities through red team exercises simulating evil twin attacks and wireless denial-of-service.

Module 7: Change and Configuration Management for Wireless Systems

Enforce change control procedures for firmware upgrades on access points and controllers, including rollback plans.
Maintain a secure configuration baseline for wireless devices aligned with CIS benchmarks and internal standards.
Require peer review and authorization for SSID creation, channel assignment, or power level adjustments affecting coverage.
Document configuration changes in the CMDB, linking modifications to change tickets and risk assessments.
Automate configuration backups for wireless infrastructure using version-controlled repositories.
Validate configuration drift through automated scanning and alerting on non-compliant device settings.
Coordinate wireless changes with facilities teams during office reconfigurations or construction to avoid coverage gaps.
Assess the security impact of enabling new wireless features (e.g., mesh networking, band steering) before deployment.

Module 8: Third-Party and Guest Access Governance

Implement time-limited, single-use credentials for guest access with automatic deactivation upon expiry.
Enforce network access quarantine for third-party devices until endpoint compliance checks are passed.
Require contractual clauses for vendors using wireless networks to comply with organizational security policies.
Restrict guest network access to internet-only with no internal routing or peer-to-peer communication.
Log and monitor third-party wireless sessions for data exfiltration or policy violations.
Integrate guest sponsorship workflows into IAM systems to ensure accountability for access provisioning.
Conduct periodic access reviews to deprovision inactive guest accounts and vendor credentials.
Deploy captive portals with legal disclaimers and data handling notices compliant with privacy regulations.

Module 9: Audit, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement

Prepare wireless infrastructure documentation for internal and external ISO 27001 audits, including network diagrams and control mappings.
Validate alignment of wireless controls with Annex A objectives during internal audit cycles.
Conduct annual wireless penetration tests and document remediation of identified vulnerabilities.
Review wireless-related findings from previous audits and verify closure of corrective actions.
Measure control effectiveness using KPIs such as mean time to detect rogue APs or percentage of encrypted SSIDs.
Update risk assessments to reflect changes in wireless usage patterns, such as increased remote work or IoT adoption.
Include wireless networks in management review meetings with reports on incidents, changes, and compliance status.
Implement feedback loops from operations and security teams to refine wireless policies and controls.

Module 10: Lifecycle Management and Decommissioning

Establish end-of-life criteria for wireless access points based on vendor support, security patch availability, and performance.
Follow secure decommissioning procedures including factory reset, MAC address removal from access control lists, and physical disposal.
Update asset registers and CMDB entries to reflect decommissioned wireless devices.
Conduct site surveys to identify and remove orphaned access points after office moves or closures.
Archive configuration backups and logs from decommissioned devices in accordance with retention policies.
Assess security implications of extending support for end-of-life equipment with documented risk acceptance.
Coordinate hardware refresh cycles with budget planning and change management calendars.
Verify that replacement devices meet current encryption, authentication, and monitoring requirements before deployment.