The Importance of EAP-TLS Wi-Fi in Hospitals and Health Care Environments

802.1X is a popular standard for network authentication, and its use within hospitals and other health care organizations is becoming more widespread due to the growing importance of protecting patient health information (PHI) and compliance with regulations such as HIPAA and HITECH.

Here are some reasons why 802.1X is a good fit for hospitals:

1. Protection against unauthorized devices: 802.1X provides strong authentication and authorization mechanisms that can restrict access to hospital-owned devices only. It provides a strong mechanism for hospitals to verify the identity of devices connecting to their networks. This is critical for compliance with HIPAA's Security Rule.
2. Centralized control: 802.1X allows hospitals to centrally manage an inventory of devices requiring network access, and to isolate sensitive traffic. This is essential in a hospital setting where staff and visitors may use different devices to access sensitive information.
3. Wireless network encryption: When used with the WPA3 Enterprise 192-bit security mode, 802.1X offers the strongest Wi-Fi security for hospitals seeking to protect sensitive information. WPA3 Enterprise 192-bit mode only works with EAP-TLS.
4. Wired network encryption: 802.1X operates on both wired and wireless netwokrs. A single device authentication server (a RADIUS server) can authorize both wired and wireless network clients. Whether its used on a wired or wireless network, 802.1X provides strong encryption of data in transit, protecting PHI from eavesdropping attacks.
5. Scalability: 802.1X and EAP-TLS are enterprise-grade protocols, designed to support large-scale deployments, making them suitable for use in health care organizations with many clients and access points.
6. Easy integration: 802.1X can be integrated into existing network infrastructure without significant upgrades. Configuration can be deployed easily and securely using Mobile Device Management (MDM). A deployment can includes both device authentication certificates and network configuration, so that clients transparently authenticate to the network. It’s a rare opportunity to reduce your IT support burden while improving security posture.
7. Strong device identity: With 802.1X, hospitals can manage network access through a centralized authentication serve. At Smallstep, we know how to deploy 802.1X with strong assurances of device identity. Our approach uses hardware-bound private keys, so that sensitive Wi-Fi credentials cannot be transferred between devices.
8. Compliance with other regulations: In addition to HIPAA, 802.1X is often meets other compliance requirements too, such as PCI-DSS for healthcare payment card data, or FDA regulations for medical device cybersecurity.

When considering a strategy for secure computer networking within a hospital, CISOs and IT administrators should consider the following:

• Choose a robust authentication solution: Ensure that the 802.1X implementation is paired with strong authentication mechanisms, such as EAP-TLS or other mutual authentication protocols. Certificate-based Wi-Fi is the strongest authentication method available.
• Use WPA3 Enterprise 192-bit mode: Utilizing WPA3 Enterprise 192-bit mode can provide enhanced security for hospitals seeking to protect sensitive information, as it offers a strong combination of authentication and encryption techniques.
• Consider the hospital's specific needs: Consider the unique requirements of each hospital, such as the need for guest network access or specialized access for medical devices or equipment. Consider whether wireless access is needed at all, or if wired-only approach might be more appropriate.
• Implement an auditing mechanism: Ensure that an audit trail is in place to track network activity and detect unauthorized access attempts.

By deploying a robust 802.1X solution, hospitals can improve their security posture, protect sensitive information, and comply with HIPAA regulations while also providing a convenient experience for staff, patients, and visitors.

At Smallstep, we are experts in 802.1X and EAP-TLS deployments. Sign up for a free account, and give yourself an extra reason to sleep well at night.