Counter-mode/CBC-MAC Protocol (CCMP)

Counter-mode/CBC-MAC Protocol (CCMP) is a security protocol used in Wi-Fi networks to provide encryption and data integrity. It is a component of the Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) security standard.

CCMP operates in two stages:

1. Encryption: CCMP uses Counter Mode (CTR) to encrypt data packets. This allows for parallel encryption and decryption, making it more efficient. Each packet has a unique initialization vector (IV) combined with the encryption key to create a unique encryption key for that packet, enhancing security.
2. Authentication: CCMP utilizes Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code (CBC-MAC) to provide data integrity and authentication. It generates a Message Authentication Code (MAC) for each packet, which is appended to the encrypted data. This allows the receiver to verify that the data has not been tampered with during transmission.

CCMP is considered highly secure and is the recommended encryption protocol for WPA2, providing protection against various attacks, including replay attacks and data tampering.