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5632 A request was made to authenticate to a wireless network

Written when authentication to a wireless network is requested. It captures Wi-Fi authentication attempts via 802.1X and the like.

Overview

The subcategory is Audit Other Logon/Logoff Events. It is generated when an authentication request to a wireless network using 802.1X (a mechanism that authenticates a user/device before network connection) or similar is made. There are success (S) and failure (F) variants.

How it is triggered

  • An authentication request when a device connects to Wi-Fi (especially enterprise 802.1X).

Security review points

  • You can learn which account/device attempted to authenticate to which wireless network. Note authentication to corporate Wi-Fi by unexpected devices, or bursts of failures (unauthorized connection attempts).
  • Together with the wired version 5633, track network-connection authentication. For certificate-based authentication, correlate with related certificate events.

Notes for log review

  • It occurs normally and frequently in environments with many mobile devices. Match the device, account, and SSID against normal patterns.
  • Confirm narrowed to concentrations of failures or connections by unexpected devices.

Key fields

FieldMeaning
Account NameThe account that requested authentication
Network informationThe target wireless network

References