What technology, used in WPA3, replaces WPA's 4-way handshake authentication and association mechanism with a protocol based on the Diffie-Hellman key agreement?

The technology used in WPA3 that replaces the traditional 4-way handshake authentication and association mechanism of WPA with a more secure and robust method is Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE).

SAE is based on the Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol, which allows two parties to securely establish a shared secret over an insecure channel without requiring prior arrangements. This enhances security because it mitigates vulnerabilities associated with the older 4-way handshake, such as offline dictionary attacks. SAE enables mutual authentication between the client and access point, ensuring that both parties can verify each other's identities and securely establish a session key for encryption.

By employing SAE, WPA3 provides improved security and resistance to common attack vectors, making it a more effective option for safeguarding wireless communications. This method aligns well with modern cryptographic practices, offering better protection for user credentials and data.