In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, in an on-boarding system for a first network, a request to transfer ownership of a first device to a new owner; receiving, in the on-boarding system, notification information from a spectrum analyzer regarding wireless signal information within the first network; determining if a potential attacker is within a radio range of the first network based on the wireless signal information; responsive to determining that the potential attacker is within the radio range, manipulating a signal strength of the on-boarding system and the first device, to limit an emission range of the on-boarding system and the first device; and performing a native communication protocol to communicate ownership information, and to cause the first device to store the ownership information in a storage of the first device.