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The Protection Ripple in 802.11 WLANs whitepaper is a very good example as to why a proper site survey performed by competent wifi professional is necessary. I have seen posts on other forums where individuals put no importance on site surveys. One such individual went as far to say that the new method for wifi coverage is the carpet bomb approach. He also indicated that since crackers could use a directional antenna to aid with eavesdropping on the wlan network that there wasn’t any justification for cell size tuning. This individual installs wlan’s for a living.

badger11 Escribió:

He also indicated that since crackers could use a directional antenna to aid with eavesdropping on the wlan network that there wasn’t any justification for cell size tuning. This individual installs wlan’s for a living.

He's thinking of only worst-case scenarios, where a network cracker has very sophisticated hard/software, like WEP crackers and extremely sensitive higain antennas. He may be also thinking that if there is even a tiny chance of a successful break-in then why bother trying to secure the network at all? This is very limited, black-and-white thinking.

Instead, he should be thinking of probability versus possibility. A WLAN that can resist 95% of all attacks is secure. Not 100% secure, of course, but nothing ever is. It's possible that such a secure WLAN could be cracked, but it's not probable. This is certainly a lot better way to look at things than the "all or nothing," black-and-white way of thinking.

I like to use the analogy of protecting an automobile from a break-in or theft. No single security device (e.g., door locks, alarm, steering wheel lock, storing in a secure garage, etc.) offers 100% protection. But many devices used together can offer enough security where the auto can be both reasonably protected from damage/theft and remain functional to the owner. It’s the same idea with security features and computer networks.

A skilled informed cracker that is determined to breach your network will most likely succeed. The variable is usually how long will it take the cracker. Strong security keeps the undetermined and semi-skilled out and also protects the company from litigation that might occur from a successfull breach of security. The determined crackers are most likely out for personal financial gains, which will most likely be very damaging to the company that is hacked. One point that companies fail to recognize is that if they are hacked and suffer financial loss due to the hack they may be sued by investors.