An Enterprise Encryption Gateway (EEG) is a layer 2 encryption device, similar to VPN, that allows for strong authentication and encryption

Encryption

In cryptography, encryption is the process of transforming information using an algorithm to make it unreadable to anyone except those possessing special knowledge, usually referred to as a key. The result of the process is encrypted information...

 for data across a wireless medium. The client devices have client-side authentication/encryption software, and the EEGs are the encryption termination point in the network. Benefits of these devices include offloading the encryption duties from the access points

Wireless access point

In computer networking, a wireless access point is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or related standards...

. Autonomous access points are placed downstream from the EEGs and may act as an 802.1x authenticator.