Devices, systems and related methods are disclosed for improving
operational security of a network and/or network devices, such as
wireless access points (APs). In the disclosed systems, a network device
is not fully operational until it is attached to a network and downloads
sensitive information. The information is stored in the network device so
that when the device is disconnected from the network, the sensitive
information is erased from the device, making the device inoperative and
removing sensitive information, such as passwords, network security keys,
or the like. Disabling the network device in this manner not only
prevents the theft of sensitive network access information, by also
discourages theft of the device itself because it cannot be used on
another network without the configuration information. In addition to
downloading configuration information, the network device can also
download an executable image that is likewise not permanently resident on
the device.