<!-- Copyright (c) 2026 defconxt. All rights reserved. -->
<!-- Licensed under AGPL-3.0 — see LICENSE file for details. -->
---
name: implementing-wireless-network-monitoring
description: >-
  Continuous wireless network monitoring implementation including spectrum analysis, rogue device detection, performance baselining, channel utilization tracking, and automated alerting for security anomalies.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: wireless-security
tags:
  - wireless-monitoring
  - spectrum-analysis
  - kismet
  - wids
  - network-visibility
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
compatibility: Designed for Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, OpenAI Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI, and any agentskills.io-compatible agent.
metadata:
  mitre-attack: ["T1040", "T1200", "T1557"]
  nist-csf: ["DE.CM-1", "DE.AE-2", "DE.DP-4"]
  uuid: e5f1583d-84b7-4aec-8e85-8b4aefadf0cb
---

# Implementing Wireless Network Monitoring

## Overview

Wireless network monitoring provides continuous visibility into RF environments to detect
unauthorized devices, performance degradation, and security anomalies. This covers deployment
of Kismet sensors, spectrum analysis with tools like linssid, automated baseline comparison,
and SIEM integration for wireless security events.

Mode: `[MODE: BLUE]` for this technique.

## Prerequisites

| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Dedicated wireless monitoring sensors (monitor-mode capable adapters) | Required |
| Kismet server with remote capture capability | Required |
| linssid or wavemon for spectrum analysis | Required |
| SIEM platform for alert aggregation | Required |
| Network documentation with authorized AP inventory | Required |

## Key Concepts

### Monitoring Architecture

```
Wireless Monitoring Stack:
├── Data Collection Layer
│   ├── Kismet remote capture sensors
│   ├── Dedicated monitor-mode adapters per zone
│   ├── Spectrum analyzers (2.4/5/6 GHz)
│   └── SNMP polling of managed APs
├── Analysis Layer
│   ├── Rogue AP detection engine
│   ├── Channel utilization tracking
│   ├── Client behavior anomaly detection
│   └── Signal strength mapping
├── Alerting Layer
│   ├── New device detection
│   ├── Unauthorized SSID broadcast
│   ├── Deauthentication flood alerts
│   └── Channel interference warnings
└── Reporting Layer
    ├── Compliance dashboards
    ├── Trend analysis
    └── Incident correlation
```

### Kismet Remote Sensor Deployment

```bash
# On each sensor — start remote capture
kismet_cap_linux_wifi --connect $KISMET_SERVER:3501 \
  --source=wlan0mon:name=floor1_sensor \
  --apikey=$KISMET_API_KEY

# On central server — configure multi-sensor collection
cat >> /etc/kismet/kismet_site.conf << EOF
server_name=wids_central
remote_capture_listen=0.0.0.0
remote_capture_port=3501
log_prefix=/var/log/kismet
log_types=kismet,alert,pcapng
EOF

# Start central Kismet server
kismet --daemonize
```

### Channel Utilization Monitoring

```bash
# Scan channel utilization across all bands
sudo iw dev wlan0mon survey dump | \
  awk '/frequency/{freq=$2} /channel active time/{active=$NF} \
  /channel busy time/{busy=$NF; if(active>0) printf "%s MHz: %.1f%% busy\n",freq,busy/active*100}'

# Continuous channel quality monitoring with wavemon
wavemon -i wlan0mon

# Log channel utilization over time
while true; do
  timestamp=$(date +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S)
  sudo iw dev wlan0mon survey dump | \
    awk -v ts="$timestamp" '/frequency/{freq=$2} /channel busy time/{printf "%s,%s,%s\n",ts,freq,$NF}'
  sleep 300
done >> /var/log/wireless/channel_utilization.csv
```

### Automated Rogue Device Detection

```bash
# Query Kismet REST API for new devices
curl -s -k https://localhost:2501/devices/last-time/-300/devices.json \
  -H "KISMET: $API_KEY" | \
  jq '.[] | select(.kismet_device_base_type == "Wi-Fi AP") |
  {mac: .kismet_device_base_macaddr, ssid: .dot11_device_last_beaconed_ssid_record_ssid}'

# Compare against authorized inventory
python3 - << 'PYEOF'
import json, requests
resp = requests.get("https://localhost:2501/devices/views/phydot11_accesspoints/devices.json",
                     headers={"KISMET": "$API_KEY"}, verify=False)
authorized = set(open("/etc/wids/authorized_aps.txt").read().split())
for dev in resp.json():
    mac = dev["kismet.device.base.macaddr"].upper()
    if mac not in authorized:
        print(f"[ROGUE] {mac} — {dev.get('dot11.device.last_beaconed_ssid_record.dot11.ssidgroup.ssid', 'hidden')}")
PYEOF
```

## Workflow

### Step 1: Sensor Planning

Map facility floor plan and determine sensor placement for full RF coverage.

```bash
# Test sensor coverage from candidate locations
sudo airodump-ng --band abg wlan0mon -w coverage_test
```

### Step 2: Baseline Collection

```bash
# Collect 24-hour baseline of authorized wireless environment
kismet -c wlan0mon --log-prefix /var/log/kismet/baseline
```

### Step 3: Alert Tuning

Configure alert thresholds based on baseline to minimize false positives.

### Step 4: SIEM Integration

Forward Kismet alerts to SIEM via syslog or REST API integration.

### Step 5: Operational Handoff

Document monitoring procedures and escalation paths for security team.

## Detection

```yaml
title: Wireless Network Monitoring Detection
id: 433941e0-1339-4a86-ae49-b49d8039eb3d
status: experimental
description: Detects suspicious activity related to implementing wireless network monitoring techniques in wireless security context
logsource:
  category: network_connection
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    DestinationPort: 443
    Initiated: "true"
  condition: selection
level: medium
tags:
  - attack.t1040
  - attack.t1200
  - attack.t1557
  - attack.initial_access
falsepositives:
  - Wireless intrusion detection system performing routine monitoring
```


**Detection Opportunities**

| Indicator | Source | Detection Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Network Monitoring Detection | windows/network_connection | Sigma rule (medium) |
| ATT&CK Coverage | MITRE ATT&CK | T1040, T1200, T1557 |

## Verification

- [ ] All monitoring sensors online and reporting to central server
- [ ] Authorized AP baseline established and version-controlled
- [ ] Rogue AP detection validated with test device
- [ ] Alert pipeline to SIEM confirmed operational
- [ ] Channel utilization dashboards accessible to network team

## References

- MITRE ATT&CK T1040 — Network Sniffing
- CIS Controls v8 — 12.2 Scan for Unauthorized Wireless Access Points
- NIST SP 800-153 — Guidelines for Securing Wireless LANs
- [Kismet REST API docs](https://www.kismetwireless.net/docs/api/rest_api/)
