Chapter 2. Basic Security Mechanics and Mechanisms

This chapter covers the essential topics you will encounter during your journey through the wireless world, ranging from cryptography to various security protocols used in the industry. This chapter also examines some of the cryptographic primitives?the building blocks and concepts that are part of security mechanisms.

Because each topic itself requires a book, this chapter tries to capture the essence of each concept. You will also get a glimpse of the vulnerabilities that are detailed in later chapters.

This book defines mechanics as the general capability (for example, confidentiality) and mechanisms as the detailed technologies, protocols, and implementations (for example, encryption, message formats to exchange essential information, and key exchange).