Thesis Abstracts 2003
Research and Graduate Studies Electrical and Computer Engineering
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Intrusion Detection in Wireless Local Area Networks
By: Capt Steve Leonard
Supervisors: Dr. G.S. Knight (RMC), Dr. J. Lefebvre (DRDC) and Mr. M. Salmanian (DRDC)
Abstract
The flexibility, capability and economics of wireless local area networks (WLANs) make them an attractive resource for employment in Canadian Forces (CF) operations worldwide. They are, however, vulnerable to various types of intrusion related attacks that can compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information and resources. Before WLANs gain widespread acceptance in the CF, it is necessary to understand the nature of these attacks and to develop techniques capable of detecting intruders in a wireless environment.
This thesis includes a theoretical study of the wireless protocol defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard in order to identify useful information or potential idiosyncrasies that could be used to support intrusion detection in a WLAN. The control, management and data frames used to implement the MAC functionality and WLAN services and a state relationship that governs the exchange of frames between wireless stations can provide useful insights into potential security related threats and intrusions. A number of common security related threats are discussed and evaluated in a WLAN lab that demonstrate the usefulness of the various frame types in supporting intrusion detection in a WLAN.
