WPA2-EAP vs. WPA3-SAE

Attribute	WPA2-EAP	WPA3-SAE
Authentication Method	Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)	Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE)
Security Level	High	Higher
Key Management	4-way handshake	Dragonfly handshake
Forward Secrecy	Partial	Full

Introduction

Wireless security protocols are essential for protecting data transmitted over Wi-Fi networks. Two popular protocols used for securing Wi-Fi connections are WPA2-EAP (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 - Extensible Authentication Protocol) and WPA3-SAE (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 - Simultaneous Authentication of Equals). Both protocols offer different features and levels of security, making them suitable for various use cases.

Authentication

WPA2-EAP uses the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) for authentication, allowing for a wide range of authentication methods to be used, such as EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, and PEAP. This flexibility makes WPA2-EAP suitable for enterprise environments where different authentication methods may be required for different users or devices. On the other hand, WPA3-SAE uses Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE), a secure key exchange protocol based on the Dragonfly key exchange, which provides strong protection against offline dictionary attacks.

Security

WPA2-EAP provides strong security through the use of the AES encryption algorithm for data confidentiality. However, vulnerabilities such as the KRACK (Key Reinstallation Attack) have been discovered in WPA2, which can compromise the security of the network. In contrast, WPA3-SAE addresses these vulnerabilities by introducing stronger encryption protocols, such as the Galois/Counter Mode (GCM) encryption algorithm, which provides better protection against attacks.

Key Management

WPA2-EAP uses the 4-way handshake for key management, which has been found to be vulnerable to attacks such as the KRACK attack. In comparison, WPA3-SAE uses the Dragonfly key exchange protocol, which provides better protection against offline dictionary attacks and other key management vulnerabilities. This makes WPA3-SAE more secure in terms of key management compared to WPA2-EAP.

Ease of Use

WPA2-EAP can be more complex to set up and configure compared to WPA3-SAE, especially in enterprise environments where multiple authentication methods may be required. WPA3-SAE, on the other hand, simplifies the authentication process by using a single password for both authentication and key exchange, making it easier to deploy and manage in small to medium-sized networks. This ease of use makes WPA3-SAE a more attractive option for organizations looking for a secure and user-friendly Wi-Fi security protocol.

Compatibility

WPA2-EAP is widely supported by most Wi-Fi devices and access points, making it a popular choice for securing Wi-Fi networks. However, as WPA3-SAE is a newer protocol, it may not be supported by all devices and access points yet. It is important to consider the compatibility of devices and access points before choosing between WPA2-EAP and WPA3-SAE to ensure that all devices on the network can connect securely.

Conclusion

Both WPA2-EAP and WPA3-SAE offer strong security features for securing Wi-Fi networks, but they differ in terms of authentication methods, security protocols, key management, ease of use, and compatibility. Organizations should carefully consider their specific security requirements and network environment when choosing between WPA2-EAP and WPA3-SAE to ensure that they select the most suitable protocol for their needs.