Zero trust architecture for public Wi-Fi networks: A new standard for security

By Dr. Rishi Mohan Bhatnagar, Chair – IET Future Tech Panel & President- Globesecure Technologies

Public Wi-Fi networks have become essential in our daily routines, offering convenience in places like cafes, airports, and public transportation. However, this convenience comes with significant risks. Open public Wi-Fi networks are among the easiest targets for attackers due to their unsecured nature, lacking the need for usernames or passwords to connect. A notable example was when a third-party network providing free public Wi-Fi for British Railways was attacked. Such incidents highlight the need for a stronger security framework to protect both service providers and users. Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) offers a compelling solution by rethinking how security is enforced in these environments.

Zero Trust operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” In public Wi-Fi settings, this means no user or device should be trusted by default. Given that these networks ...