October 14, 2013 - ConnectBlue added Extensible Authentication Protocol-Transport Layer Security (EAP-TLS) as a Wireless LAN (WLAN) security feature to the OWS451 serial module. EAP-TLS is particularly beneficial in mission critical applications when there is a need to increase security and / or to centrally authorize individual wireless units. In small embedded systems, WLAN security features applied are usually various forms of encryption such as WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK. Typically, the assigned authentication key is the same for all distributed wireless units. However, with EAP-TLS, each wireless client is assigned a unique authentication certificate.
OWS451 WLAN UART Serial Port Modules are shipped with the added-on EAP-TLS feature whereas customers who have installed OWS451 modules can easily download upgrade firmware from the connectBlue support site. The OWS451 EAP-TLS feature has already been tested and validated in key mission critical applications. EAP-TLS is considered as one of the most secure standards and is thus often required by central IT management. For instance, EAP-TLS makes it possible to centrally manage individual units when one, for example, would like to centrally revoke a certain client’s certificate. Thanks to the client-side certificate, security is also sustained as a compromised password is not enough to break into EAP-TLS enabled systems as the potential intruder would also need the client-side private key.
Both these advantages make EAP-TLS particularly beneficial in demanding factory automation and medical installations.
