Network Access Control

A device for permitting a remote device access to a secure network, the device comprising:

• a wireless transceiver;
• a memory storing a network key associated with the secure network;
• and
• a control module, wherein the control module is configured to:
• form a first network and form the secure network;
• allow the remote device to join the first network upon detection of the remote device having a network key associated with the first network, wherein the network key associated with the first network is also stored in said memory;
• and once the remote device has joined the first network, the control module is configured to:
• receive, via said wireless transceiver, a unique identifier of the remote device transmitted from the remote device;
• determine whether the remote device is authorised to access the secure network based on said unique identifier;
• and
• transmit, via said wireless transceiver, the network key associated with the secure network in encrypted form to the remote device to permit the remote device access to the secure network, in dependence on said determination.

A method for permitting a remote device access to a secure network, the method comprising:

• forming a first network and forming the secure network;
• allowing the remote device to join the first network upon detection of the remote device having a network key associated with the first network;
• and once the remote device has joined the first network, the method further comprising:
• receiving a unique identifier of the remote device transmitted from the remote device;
• determining whether the remote device is authorised to access the secure network based on said unique identifier;
• and
• transmitting, via said wireless transceiver, the network key associated with the secure network in encrypted form to the remote device to permit the remote device access to the secure network, in dependence on said determination.

A computer program product for permitting a remote device access to a secure network, the computer program product comprising code embodied on a computer-readable medium and being configured so as when executed on a processor to:

• form a first network and form the secure network;
• allow the remote device to join the first network upon detection of the remote device having a network key associated with the first network;
• and once the remote device has joined the first network, the code being further configured so as when executed on the processor to:
• receive a unique identifier of the remote device transmitted from the remote device;
• determine whether the remote device is authorised to access the secure network based on said unique identifier;
• and
• transmit the network key associated with the secure network in encrypted form to the remote device to permit the remote device access to the secure network, in dependence on said determination.