A knowledge base article about How are the campus Wi-Fi networks secured? provided by the UC Berkeley IT Service Hub - Knowledge Portal
None of the Wi-Fi networks on campus (eduroam, Berkeley-IoT, and Berkeley-Visitor) provide confidentiality or security that is superior to other campus network infrastructure:
- Under applicable campus policies, data transmitted through these mediums must be secured as applicable.
Specifically, these networks each have different considerations and encryption innately associated with them and should be considered public.
Encryption levels and concerns with each Wifi Network:
- eduroam and Berkeley-IoT WiFi networks provides encryption of data while it is being transmitted wirelessly.
- This improves privacy because it means that a nearby person can not easily see the data that is being transmitted or received by your device.
- Once the data reaches the campus network itself, it is no longer encrypted.
- For this reason any data that may be subject to encryption based on campus policies should be secured by other means.
- Even the best wifi encryption is considered insecure and should not be relied on for sensitive communications.
- Neither the standard eduroam nor Berkeley-IoT Wi-Fi networks are appropriate for P3 or P4 data. Access of P3 or P4 data while connected to the eduroam and Berkeley-IoT networks requires the additional use of the bSecure Remote Access Service (GlobalProtect) to ensure compliance with data protection standards.
- Berkeley-Visitor WiFi network is an open and unencrypted network provided for short term campus visitors. On this network all traffic is transmitted in the clear over the air and can be monitored by other computers.
- Users should connect to eduroam if you have a CalNet account or are visiting from an institute that participates in eduroam.
If you have issues connecting to eduroam or Berkeley-IoT, try rebooting your device and go through these steps again. If this does not resolve connectivity please contact us for help: