# What is a Service Set Identifier (SSID)?

> A service set identifier (SSID) is an identifier of up to 32 octets used for an IEEE 802.11 wireless service set.

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## Content

People and devices commonly see it as the network name when joining Wi-Fi. Access points can advertise it in management frames, and clients can include it when discovering or requesting a particular service.

Several access points can use the same SSID as part of an extended service set supporting broader coverage and roaming. The same text can also be configured independently by unrelated or malicious operators. An SSID is therefore a service-selection label, not evidence of who operates the network.

### Key points

- **Naming role:** Choose names that let intended users identify the service without disclosing unnecessary organizational, location, purpose, or device information.
- **Configuration:** Map each SSID deliberately to its authentication, encryption, VLAN, or policy, client-isolation, and service-availability settings; identical names do not ensure identical controls.
- **Client behavior:** Manage trusted network profiles and automatic joining so devices do not connect solely because a familiar SSID is present; validate the authentication method and expected server identity.
- **Important limitation:** An SSID provides no confidentiality, uniqueness, authentication, or access control. Suppressing routine SSID advertisement does not make the network secret and can cause clients to reveal the name while actively searching for it.

### Related terms

[Wireless network](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/wireless-network/>) · [Wireless security](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/wireless-security/>) · [IEEE 802.1X authentication](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/ieee-802-1x-authentication/>) · [Network access control (NAC)](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/network-access-control/>) · [Network segmentation](<https://yellowcube.eu/glossary/network-segmentation/>)

### Sources

[IEEE 802.11-2024: Wireless LAN MAC and Physical Layer Specifications](https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/802.11/10548/) · [NIST SP 800-153: Guidelines for Securing Wireless Local Area Networks](https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/153/final)

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