Jan 2019 AST Magazine Jan 2019 AST Magazine | Page 6

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WiFi-based devices are vulnerable to net-
remote building
locations, the maximum
January 2019 - Edition 31
work congestion, RF interference, hacking,
communication range needs to be taken
Internet of Things (IoT) malware, and mis-
into account.
configuration.
• Unlike WiFi, low-power RF technologies
• With this in mind, WiFi’s convenience and
like IEEE 802.15.4 (popularized by the Zig-
user benefits make it hard to avoid and it
bee IoT protocol) are designed to work in
certainly deserves its place in non-security,
RF congested environments and are op-
non-critical applications.
timized for secure machine-to-machine
• Devices using the 915 MHz band typically
(M2M) communication.
support longer transmission distances than
ones using higher frequencies, mostly due • For low-bandwidth applications like intru-
sion detection or access control, this set of
to lower RF attenuation (higher frequency
technologies holds great future potential
signals are more susceptible to absorption
and its reliability is already field-proven.
and scattering caused by rain, snow, and fo-
liage).
For example, the Senstar Wireless Gate
• In addition, FCC regulations allow for Sensor eliminates the need to run sensor or
more powerful transmitters in 915 MHz power cables onto a moving
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gate panel.
based devices.
• For applications on the perimeter or in It uses 128-bit AES encrypted communica-
(The FlexZone Wireless Gate Sensor detects attempts to open, cut, climb or otherwise break through sliding and
swinging gates and complements the coverage of the FlexZone fence-mounted sensor.)
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