EAP-TLS & AES256: A Secure Combination

TL;DR

Yes, EAP-TLS and AES256 encryption can – and should – be used together for strong Wi-Fi security. EAP-TLS handles authentication (verifying who you are), while AES256 encrypts the data itself to keep it private. They complement each other perfectly.

Understanding the Technologies

Before we dive into how they work together, let’s quickly define each technology:

• EAP-TLS (Extensible Authentication Protocol – Transport Layer Security): This is a robust authentication method that uses digital certificates. Each user (or device) has its own unique certificate, making it very difficult for attackers to impersonate them. It’s often used in enterprise environments where security is paramount.
• AES256 (Advanced Encryption Standard with 256-bit key): This is a symmetric encryption algorithm that scrambles data using a 256-bit key. It’s considered one of the most secure encryption standards available today. The longer the key, the harder it is to crack.

Why Use Them Together?

Think of EAP-TLS as checking your ID at a club entrance (authentication) and AES256 as scrambling all conversations inside so no one can eavesdrop (encryption). You need both for complete security.

• EAP-TLS prevents unauthorized access: It ensures only trusted devices connect to your network.
• AES256 protects data in transit: Even if someone intercepts the Wi-Fi signal, they won’t be able to read the encrypted data without the key.

Setting Up EAP-TLS and AES256

The exact steps will vary depending on your wireless infrastructure (router/access point) and RADIUS server. Here’s a general guide:

Step 1: Configure Your RADIUS Server

1. Install a Certificate Authority (CA): You’ll need a CA to issue certificates to users and devices. OpenSSL is a common tool for this.

   openssl genrsa -out ca.key 2048

   openssl req -new -x509 -days 3650 -key ca.key -out ca.crt

2. Create User/Device Certificates: Generate a certificate for each user or device that will connect to the network.

   openssl genrsa -out user1.key 2048

   openssl req -new -key user1.key -out user1.csr

   openssl x509 -req -in user1.csr -CA ca.crt -CAkey ca.key -CAcreateserial -out user1.crt -days 365

3. Configure EAP-TLS settings: Ensure your RADIUS server is configured to use TLS authentication and that it trusts the CA you created.

Step 2: Configure Your Wireless Access Point

1. Enable WPA2/WPA3 Enterprise Security: This is essential for using EAP-TLS.
2. Select EAP-TLS as the Authentication Method: In your access point’s settings, choose EAP-TLS.
3. Configure AES Encryption: Set the encryption type to AES (specifically AES256 if available). This is usually found under ‘Security Settings’ or similar.
4. Specify RADIUS Server Details: Enter the IP address and shared secret of your RADIUS server.

Step 3: Configure Client Devices

1. Install User Certificates: Install the user certificates you created on each device.
2. Configure Wi-Fi Settings: On each device, configure the Wi-Fi connection to use WPA2/WPA3 Enterprise security.
3. Select EAP-TLS Authentication: Choose EAP-TLS as the authentication method.
4. Trust the CA Certificate: Ensure the device trusts the CA certificate you used.

Verification

After configuration, test the connection from a client device. Check your RADIUS server logs to confirm successful authentication. You can also use Wi-Fi analysis tools to verify that AES256 encryption is being used.