Wireless Security: Point-CounterPoint

Dark Reading - Metromesh Security: Strix Strikes Back - Security News Analysis

Starting with a hypothetical article in Dark Reading, a security consultant waxed on about what could happen if metropolitan broadband networks were hacked. It took a day or two for a response to come forth, but it was a good one. Check it out.

There was a time, admittedly not long ago, when most enterprise and residential WiFi networks were woefully insecure. Because of this, there remains a tremendous concern over the security of this technology. But the truth is that today professional network designers are well aware of the risks, and they use the most advanced authentication and encryption features offered by Strix and other network equipment providers to protect their networks. Conclusions of Nan Chen, VP of marketing at wireless LAN mesh company Strix Systems.

The bottom line - there is currently a host of articles written about security, much of it by security consultants raising the FUD factor - Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt - for their own purposes. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of FUD when I have something to sell. It works as a motivator to create a sense of urgency. FUD is a favorite ploy of sales people - think insurance sales in particular. Of course, this is not to make light of the serious business issues regarding security, an ever present issue in data communications. But, we should always consider the source and seek balanced thinking, like Nan Chen presents.


Posted on May 25, 2006 at 06:05 PM | Comments (0)

Security Site Collects and Tracks Vulnerabilities

WVE is the source for in-depth information on wireless vulnerabilities. It provides a standardized nomenclature for Vulnerabilities in wireless protocols and products, and the Exploits which take advantage of these vulnerabilities. It is also a database or catalog of these vulnerabilties and exploits.

Here's a good site to bookmark, Wireless VE. I like this site because amid the differing opinions and "facts" on wireless security, this site attempts to catalogue and track vulnerabilites, rather than offering opinions. Check it out.

Posted on December 15, 2005 at 08:42 PM | Comments (0)

Wi Fi Security Secrets

Whle focused on security for Wi Fi networks inside the home and in Hot Spots, this Complete Guide to Wi-Fi Security is a comprehensive discussion about security inside wireless networks and holds insights for those who seek to better understand the security issues associated with municpal wireless networks. I recommend it.

Posted on November 19, 2005 at 03:57 PM | Comments (0)

Latest on Wireless Security

See Daily Wireless under the heading Cloud Security on Tues, Oct 25 for a super review loaded with links on the latest and greatest on wireless security options and updates. I don't know how Sam C does it...Good link.

Posted on October 25, 2005 at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)

Spectrum Policy Key to "Networking Utopia"

Looking to Spectrum for a Networking Utopia Anticipating a day when bandwidth is plentiful and we all have all the connectivity we need (i.e., networking utopia), consultant Dewayne Hendricks, CEO of the Dandin Group, speculates on what it will take to get there. From his perspective as a member of the FCC’s Technological Advisory Council, Dewayne opines on what is possible with smart radios that can make efficient use of the available spectrum. What's missing is a policy change from the FCC in how spectrum is allocated and managed. I would expect to hear more and more about this key topic in the months and years ahead.

Esme Vos has begun to publish articles from speakers (like Dewayne) at her September 28-29 Muniwireless conference in San Francisco, California. I recommend you keep an eye on her site.

Posted on July 26, 2005 at 09:05 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Securing the Cloud

Daily Wireless: Securing the Cloud Daily Wireless has a good write up on wireless security, and this article, published this morning, has good links. Security Begins at Home.

A no Wi-Fi policy does not guarantee security, as intruders can enter through laptop clients. Virtually all laptops now include Wi-Fi. Individuals, businesses or municipalities that think they can eliminate wireless threats by eliminating WiFi may be mistaken.

The growth of municipal WiFi networks will likely increase illegal activities on wireless networks if for no other reason then they'll be more of them. An e-Week editorial thinks Municipal Wi-Fi plans like Philadelphia's are security disasters in the making. [But at least they have a plan].

Protecting private citizens must be given the highest priority. Cities can't afford lawsuits, either.

I recommend you hop over and check it out. For later reference, you'll need to look this up in Archives under July 5.

Posted on July 05, 2005 at 04:04 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Financial Times on Wireless Security

The Wednesday IT special section of the Financial Times had a good feature on wireless security, Ways to Keep Hackers at Bay. The article gives a thorough review of wireless security issues, concluding that both wireless and wireline security are a necessity for network managers, but ironically, because wireless security gets more attention, it ends up being more secure. Go figure.

Posted on June 15, 2005 at 09:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Overview of Wi Fi Security Issues

Wi-Fi Security at Work and on the Road This web page on the Wi Fi Alliance website provides a great overview of security issues as they pertain to using Wi Fi devices over unlicensed spectrum.

Posted on June 09, 2005 at 09:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Security for Wireless

Multi-Layered Security Framework for Metro-Scale Wi-Fi Networks This whitepaper demonstrates the issues of security in a wireless environment, with particular attention to the issues associated with mesh technology on a large scale.

Intel Security for Wireless Networks is a good primer on security issues with regard to wireless networks.

Posted on May 20, 2005 at 12:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack