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View Full Version : 1.3.8 - WLAN - what is this trying to say exactly


WeWontLoseItIPromise
07-03-2007, 10:09 PM
The intent of 1.3.8 is unclear because it is poorly worded. Can anyone clarify the intent of this clause?

1.3 Build a firewall configuration that restricts connections between publicly accessible servers and any system component storing cardholder data, including any connections from wireless networks. This firewall configuration should include the following:

1.3.8 Installing perimeter firewalls between any wireless networks and the cardholder data environment, and configuring these firewalls to deny any traffic from the wireless environment or from controlling any traffic (if such traffic is necessary for business purposes)

Is it requiring that traffic from a wireless network must be prevented from reaching a PCI in-scope system? If that is the case, why even bother with all the WPA vs WEP elsewhere when saying "no WLAN allowed." would suffice.

What does "from controlling any traffic" mean? Is it trying to say that a WLAN client can not be used for infrastructure administration?

It is very unhelpful for something to be written so badly.

jbhall56
07-06-2007, 04:18 AM
What 1.3 is asking you to do is segment your network so that you can control network traffic by protocols/ports so that you will be able to monitor (section 10) that traffic to minimize the potential for an attacker to gain access to PCI assets.

In the case of wireless, again, the PCI is recommending that wireless be logically segmented from the rest of the network so that protocols/ports can be restricted and monitored as well.