  Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is the network of the future. As it gradually
gains ground by transforming our lives and environments into a Smart World, it
will definitely call for attention from selfish minded Attackers. The first
section of this paper introduces the Wireless Sensor Network, its constraints,
architecture, and mode of operation. It goes ahead to discuss the applications
of WSN in health, agriculture, military, transportation, environment,
industries. However, WSN automatically inherits the security challenges of the
traditional network. The Network security goals which are Confidentiality,
Integrity, Availability, and Authentication sometimes called the CIA of Network
security is discussed with respect to WSN. This is followed by the security
challenges of WSN, these challenges are categorized into two (2), Passive and
Active Attacks, Passive attack is interested in the message, data or
information that traverses the network without hindering the network channel or
medium of communication while Active attack is interested in both the data as
well as compromising and if possible shutting down the communication channel in
order to hinders the smooth running of the network. In line with these security
challenges, mitigation techniques are proffered to possibly prevent or lessen
the severity of the attacks as its almost impossible to stop attackers from
carrying out their malicious activities.
