A Wireless Intrusion Prevention System (WIPS) is a network security solution that monitors wireless LANs for unauthorized or malicious activity and provides real-time or automated responses. WIPS can perform a wide array of functions as outlined below:

A. Distributed protocol analysis:

WIPS sensors continuously scan wireless traffic and analyze frames to detect anomalies or policy violations in real time.

C. Performance monitoring and response:

WIPS can identify degradation in WLAN performance due to interference, misconfiguration, or rogue activity and alert administrators or take corrective action.

D. Data forensics and analysis:

WIPS platforms often include historical logging and reporting features that allow administrators to review past events and understand the timeline and impact of wireless threats.

E. Automated threat mitigation:

WIPS can automatically respond to threats by sending deauthentication frames, blocking MAC addresses, or disabling ports to mitigate rogue devices or attacks.

Note:

B. Client access to the distribution system is not a function of WIPS; it refers to client functionality in a WLAN, not a security service offered by WIPS.

“A WIPS performs functions such as rogue detection and mitigation, threat classification, forensic logging, and real-time protocol analysis. It can provide both historical analytics and proactive security enforcement.”

— CWDP-305 Study Guide, Chapter on Post-Design ValidationandTroubleshooting