ETRI Builds 'Stealth Wi-Fi' at Naval Academy

WiFi technology developed in the private sector will be applied to the Korea Naval Academy.

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced on the 27th that it will hold an opening ceremony for the WiFi-based Intelligent Stealth Network Living Lab at the Korea Naval Academy.

Previously, ETRI developed the ‘Intelligent Stealth’ technology, which minimizes the exposure of public and mission-critical information and communication resources, with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation. This technology, a next-generation secure WiFi, will be utilized at the Korea Naval Academy through a living lab approach.

This approach involves military personnel directly participating in research experiments to explore the potential use of privately developed technology in the defense sector. Through the living lab, researchers and the military maintain a close cooperative relationship to test and verify commercial civilian technologies in a defense environment, thereby enhancing their applicability in the military and strengthening future defense capabilities.

Conceptual diagram of Intelligent Stealth Network (ISN) technology. Provided by Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)

The intelligent stealth network technology to be applied at the Korea Naval Academy is a WiFi system with enhanced security, designed so that only pre-approved users can connect. Unlike typical WiFi, the network’s existence is invisible to unauthorized users. Furthermore, only individuals, devices, and nodes identified as legitimate users can access the network.

The technology provides rigorous security features, making it suitable for use in highly secure environments such as the military. To this end, ETRI has enhanced security by applying technology that conceals the location and status of the information and communication infrastructure, and it fundamentally blocks external intrusions with advanced traffic monitoring and threat prevention functions that surpass those of existing networks.

ETRI has continuously consulted with various military branches to apply network technology in the military. It has also gathered military requirements through demonstrations and adjusted development directions accordingly.

Through this project, the Korea Naval Academy plans to create an environment where cadets can use WiFi more safely while continuously researching ways to effectively utilize civilian IT technology in the military.

ETRI researchers are explaining the operation process of Intelligent Stealth Network (ISN) technology to military officials attending the 'ETRI Conference 2025' event. Photo by Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)

In this project, ETRI plans to demonstrate intelligent stealth wireless LAN management technology (network manager) and wireless network traffic monitoring and anomaly detection technology.

The intelligent stealth wireless LAN management technology integrates and manages various access points (WiFi APs) to enhance security and strengthen reliability. Based on its high level of completion, the technology has already been transferred to related companies.

The wireless network traffic monitoring and anomaly detection technology analyzes network traffic in real time and detects and blocks potential threats.

Hyesook Park, Director of the Defense Safety Convergence Research Division at ETRI, said, “This demonstration aims to enable safe use of wireless LANs even in military environments where WiFi use has been limited due to security concerns. ETRI will continue to develop various technologies for military use and carry out demonstration tests and improvements.”

Kyeongryul Kim, Superintendent (Lieutenant General) of the Korea Naval Academy, said, “Through this cooperation with ETRI, we expect to build a smart campus, an advanced science and technology-based educational environment. Starting with this project, we will strengthen innovative educational services for cadets who will lead future warfare and contribute to future defense capabilities.”