Wireless network pen testing How secure is your Wi-Fi?

Why wireless networks are a prime target

Although wireless networks are convenient, allowing teams to stay connected - whether they’re in the office, moving between spaces, or working from home - they are inherently more exposed than wired connections as they broadcast your network to the physical world.

But this convenience often leads to overlooked security gaps, especially if your Wi-Fi is not regularly reviewed or was set up using default settings.

A few common issues can arise because of this, including:

• Weak encryption / default credentials – it's more common than you think to discover networks using default login details or simple passwords. Even with WPA2 or WPA3 in place, old passwords and easy-to-guess passwords can leave networks more exposed than they should be.
• Rogue / unmanaged access points – new access points can be installed without the IT team’s knowledge, especially in larger offices. These rogue devices are difficult to monitor and may not follow company security standards.
• Misconfigured guest networks – offering guest Wi-Fi is a great idea but unless it is correctly segmented from the main business network, visitors accessing the guest Wi-Fi could knowingly or unknowingly access internal systems and resources.
• Lookalike / ‘evil twin’ networks – attackers can set up a fake Wi-Fi network using the same name (SSID) as the trusted one, with the aim of tricking users into connecting to them instead. Once connected, the unsuspecting users may share sensitive data with the attacker.
• Outdated firmware / older protocols – wireless access points require regular updates, and if they’re running outdated firmware or using a legacy protocol like WEP, they’re likely to not have the protection required to keep up with modern threats.

What is wireless penetration testing?

Wireless pen testing is a structured and ethical method of assessing the security of a Wi-Fi infrastructure. This includes how the wireless environment is configured, whether encryption methods are up to date, and testing how easy it is for an attacker to gain unauthorised access.

Testing is usually conducted by first examining its signal coverage and the placement of access points. For example, if the Wi-Fi reaches beyond the office building, into public spaces and car parks, it is more accessible than intended. Encryption and authentication protocols such as WPA2, WPA3, 802.1X are also tested to ensure they’re properly configured and up to date.

Another part of wireless pen testing is flagging any rogue or unauthorised access points. These could be personal devices that employees have connected to the network without prior IT approval, or hardware that’s fallen outside of security oversight.

The data that moves through the network is also analysed, to check if sensitive information can be exposed through insecure protocols during transit. Deauthentication, ‘evil twin’ attacks and other controlled simulations can be run to test how easily devices and users can be tricked into connecting to a fake network.

Finally, if your business offers guest Wi-Fi services, it can be reviewed to see how well it’s separated from the corporate (private) network. With proper segmentation, users cannot accidentally (or intentionally) access your internal systems.

When the wireless network assessment is complete, a clear report with actionable insights will be provided outlining the issues and vulnerabilities discovered, what it means and how to fix them.

How wireless pen testing compares to cloud pen testing

Both wireless and cloud pen testing help to uncover gaps in the network security, but they focus on different parts of the environment with the main differences being where the vulnerabilities exist – whether on-site or online.

Pen Test vs. Red Team: Understanding the key differences

Aspect	Wireless pen testing	Cloud pen testing
Focus area	Wi-Fi networks, access points, wireless-connected devices	Cloud infrastructure like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
Attack surface	Local environment - within or around physical premises	Internet-facing systems and cloud-based assets
Common risks	Rogue access points, weak encryption, user-side attacks	Misconfigured storage, IAM flaws, exposed APIs
Who it’s for	Any business with a wireless network	Hacking, phishing, social engineering, and even physical security breaches

Wireless testing looks at how someone near the network, inside the office or in a nearby car park for example, might gain access to the network through your Wi-Fi setup. Cloud pen testing on the other hand focuses on what can be accessed remotely from anywhere.

Businesses tend to rely on both wireless and cloud infrastructure, so it’s not about choosing one over the other but instead ensuring each layer of the network environment is properly secured and tested regularly.

When (and how often) should you test your wireless network?

Whilst there is no strict rule on when and how often wireless pen testing should be conducted, a good starting point is once a year at minimum. It comes down to the setup, how often your network is updated or changed, and your level of risk. However, annually tends to align with most compliance requirements and ensures newly introduced vulnerabilities are caught early.

If your business has recently moved offices, or you’ve rolled out new access points, onboarding remote teams or any other changes, then it’s worth testing sooner. The same also applies if your wireless network has never undergone a penetration test.

Too often businesses will assume their Wi-Fi is secure simply because it’s always worked, however, without thorough testing it’s hard to know what is happening beneath the surface.

Regulated industries such as finance, healthcare and legal, or businesses handling sensitive data may require more frequent testing to meet industry standards and internal security policies.