Apparatus and method for proximity based wireless security

Abstract

A wireless security system is provided. The system includes an uninstalled wireless device and an access controller. The access controller communicates with the uninstalled wireless device, and determines a proximity of the uninstalled wireless device relative to first and second wireless devices, the first wireless device disposed within a first security zone having first security provisions within a network configuration, and the second wireless device disposed within a second security zone having second security provisions within the network configuration. The second security provisions are greater the first security provisions, and the access controller configures third security provisions for the uninstalled device corresponding to the proximity.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A wireless security system, comprising:
 an uninstalled wireless device; and   an access controller, that communicates with said uninstalled wireless device, and that determines a proximity of said uninstalled wireless device relative to first and second wireless devices, said first wireless device disposed within a first security zone having first security provisions within a network configuration, said second wireless device disposed within a second security zone having second security provisions within said network configuration, wherein said second security provisions are greater said first security provisions, and wherein said access controller configures third security provisions for said uninstalled device corresponding to said proximity.   
     
     
         2 . The wireless security system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said proximity does not correspond to said first or second security zones, and wherein said third security provisions comprise denial of access to said network configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The wireless security system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said proximity corresponds to said first security zone, and wherein said third security provisions comprise said first security provisions. 
     
     
         4 . The wireless security system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said first security provisions comprise a first one of a plurality of security key types and lengths, and wherein said second security provisions comprise a second one of said plurality of security key types and lengths, and wherein said first one comprises reduced security requirements over said second one. 
     
     
         5 . The wireless security system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said first security provisions comprise a first one of a plurality of security algorithms, and wherein said second security provisions further comprise a second one of a plurality of security algorithm, and wherein said first one comprises reduced security requirements over said second one. 
     
     
         6 . The wireless security system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said access controller determines said proximity based on geographic position data provided by said uninstalled device. 
     
     
         7 . The wireless security system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said access controller determines said proximity based on response latencies to ping messages transmitted to said uninstalled device. 
     
     
         8 . A proximity based wireless security mechanism, comprising:
 an uninstalled wireless device;   one or more first wireless devices disposed in a first security zone having first security provisions within a network configuration;   one or more second wireless devices disposed in a second security zone having second security provisions within said network configuration, wherein said second security provisions are greater said first security provisions; and   an access controller, that communicates with said uninstalled wireless device, and that determines a proximity of said uninstalled wireless device relative to said first and second wireless devices, and that configures third security provisions for said uninstalled device corresponding to said proximity.   
     
     
         9 . The proximity based wireless security mechanism as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said proximity does not correspond to said first or second security zones, and wherein said third security provisions comprise denial of access to said network configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The proximity based wireless security mechanism as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said proximity corresponds to said first security zone, and wherein said third security provisions comprise said first security provisions. 
     
     
         11 . The proximity based wireless security mechanism as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said first security provisions comprise a first one of a plurality of security key types and lengths, and wherein said second security provisions comprise a second one of said plurality of security key types and lengths, and wherein said first one comprises reduced security requirements over said second one. 
     
     
         12 . The proximity based wireless security mechanism as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said first security provisions comprise a first one of a plurality of security algorithms, and wherein said second security provisions further comprise a second one of a plurality of security algorithm, and wherein said first one comprises reduced security requirements over said second one. 
     
     
         13 . The proximity based wireless security mechanism as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said access controller determines said proximity based on geographic position data provided by said uninstalled device. 
     
     
         14 . The proximity based wireless security mechanism as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said access controller determines said proximity based on response latencies to ping messages transmitted to said uninstalled device. 
     
     
         15 . A method for proximity based wireless security, the method comprising:
 communicating with an uninstalled wireless device;   determining a proximity of the uninstalled wireless device relative to first and second wireless devices, the first wireless device disposed within a first security zone having first security provisions within a network configuration, the second wireless device disposed within a second security zone having second security provisions within the network configuration, wherein the second security provisions are greater the first security provisions; and   configuring third security provisions for the uninstalled device corresponding to the proximity.   
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the proximity does not correspond to the first or second security zones, and wherein the third security provisions comprise denial of access to the network configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the proximity corresponds to the first security zone, and wherein the third security provisions comprise the first security provisions. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the first security provisions comprise a first one of a plurality of security key types and lengths, and wherein the second security provisions comprise a second one of the plurality of security key types and lengths, and wherein the first one comprises reduced security requirements over the second one. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the first security provisions comprise a first one of a plurality of security algorithms, and wherein the second security provisions further comprise a second one of a plurality of security algorithm, and wherein the first one comprises reduced security requirements over the second one. 
     
     
         20 . The wireless security system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the proximity provided by said determining is based on geographic position data provided by the uninstalled device. 
     
     
         21 . The wireless security system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the proximity provided by said determining is based on response latencies to ping messages transmitted to the uninstalled device.