Patent ID: 8782740

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for detecting unauthorized access points, comprising: identifying at least one node of a computer network having a wireless network interface, wherein the at least one node of a computer network comprises a managed computer node; sending, from an administrative system, a request that at least one of the identified nodes scan for detectable wireless access points, a listing of the wireless access points being created, wherein the administrative system performs tasks for management of the at least one node, and wherein the tasks comprise: software distribution; software license monitoring; and operating system imaging and migration; utilizing information obtained through at least one of the scans; formulating an inventory of authorized wireless access points based on the listing; and comparing the listing to the inventory to identify unauthorized wireless access points; the method further comprising: receiving security information for at least one of the wireless access points from at least one of the identified nodes to create a composite security information, wherein the composite security information comprises: a set service identifier (SSID) for at least one of the wireless access points; an encryption type and an encryption status for at least one of the wireless access points; and a medium access control (MAC) address filter status; analyzing the composite security information; and taking security measures with respect to the identified unauthorized wireless access points and based on the analysis of the composite security information.