1. A method for categorizing a candidate signal that is an apparent incumbent signal detected by at least one node of a wireless cognitive radio network (“WCRN”) as one of a valid authentic incumbent signal from an incumbent user that is not part of the WCRN and an invalid, non-authentic signal, the method comprising: each of a plurality of nodes in the WCRN sensing its surrounding frequency environment; each of the plurality of nodes preparing a sensing report at least reporting if the candidate signal has been detected; each of the plurality of nodes conveying its sensing report to a signal authenticator; the signal authenticator categorizing the detected candidate signal as a valid authentic incumbent signal if an evaluation of the sensing reports indicates that the candidate signal is a valid authentic incumbent signal; and the signal authenticator categorizing the detected candidate signal as an invalid, non-authentic signal if the evaluation of the sensing reports indicates that the candidate signal is an invalid, non-authentic signal, where an invalid, non-authentic signal is a signal that is at least one of spurious and malicious; a valid, authentic incumbent signal is a signal that is neither spurious nor malicious and is transmitted by an authorized user that is not part of the WCRN; and the evaluation of the sensing reports includes a synthesis of information from at least two of the sensing reports, said synthesis including a combination or comparison of the at least two sensing reports with each other.