Jan 2019 AST Magazine Jan 2019 AST Magazine | Page 5

www.AmericanSecurityToday.com
January 2019 - Edition 31
Many traditionally hard-wired devices are now Radio Frequencies and Protocols Matter
available in wireless versions, including
network cameras, access control devices and Devices can use different radio frequencies and
communication protocols, and these design
intrusion detection sensors.
choices impact the security of the wireless
Going wireless dramatically simplifies instal- link.
lation and lowers costs, as technicians no
longer need to physically run copper or fiber Most security devices use radio spectrum in the
Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) bands,
cable to each device.
which includes the popular 2.4 and 5 GHz bands
Some devices may also be battery or solar-pow- (used by WiFi, but also by other more specialized
ered, leading to further savings.
protocols).
However, questions remain about the reliabili-
ty and vulnerability to hacking of these new
Today.com
devices, especially given people’s experienc-
es with consumer-focused technologies like
WiFi or Bluetooth.
In North America, the 915 MHz band is also avail-
able (other jurisdictions use nearby frequencies).
When making sense of product capabilities, se-
curity professionals should keep the following
guidelines in mind:
For security professionals, the key is under-
standing that not all wireless technology is • Security devices should never use WiFi.
the same and that there are solutions designed • While WiFi can employ strong encryption,
whitelists and other protections, the risk to
specifically for security applications.
critical systems is simply too high.
3