Resource Page:
WIRELESS Local Area Networks

The proliferation of wireless networks opens up more security holes.

May 2002 Mfg.Trust Feature Story

Trends
Resources
Training
ProQuest: For NCMS Members Only

Trends

(^top) No Wires, No Security, No Solution

Computerworld, Apr '02
The proliferation of wireless networks opens up more security holes. Think you're secure? Think again.  

PC Magazine May 2002 Wireless Issue

http://www.pcmag.com/current_issue/ 

The Year of Living Wirelessly
In just the past year, wireless local area networks (LANs) for businesses and homes have taken off dramatically. This market is driven primarily by falling prices and easy-to-use products... 

IT rolls out wireless LANs despite insecurity

Computerworld, Mar '02
Despite widespread concerns about the security of wireless LAN (WLAN) deployments, some IT managers are forging ahead with Wi-Fi technology to increase worker mobility in a variety of commercial settings and to avoid expensive installations of wires.

Wireless LANs Make Enterprise Waves 

Internet Week, Feb '02. 
Three years ago, wireless LANs were prohibitively expensive, data transfer rates were a sluggish 2 Mbps and most products were proprietary. As a result, wireless LANs were usually assigned "experimental" status.

Fast forward to 2002: Wireless LANs are increasingly showing up in enterprise networks as extensions to Ethernet LANs, as bridges across networks and, in rare cases, as the core IP backbone.

GM's Wireless Leap

Internet Week, Oct '01
In a major nod to an oft-dismissed technology, General Motors plans to spend tens of millions of dollars over the next 12 months to install wireless LANs throughout its plants and offices... GM's timing is wise, said some analysts, who predicted a two- or three-year payback period given today's prices.

Resources

(^top) Exploiting and Protecting 802.11b Wireless Networks

Extreme Tech Online Magazine, Sep '01 
A vivid demonstration of "war driving" and a good checklist of what you can do to protect your wireless LAN.

Training

(^top) NCMS Online Class:  Wireless LAN Security

Wireless LAN Security is a 2-module 60 minute course that explains the special vulnerabilities of wireless networks and the precautions your organization should take. Students will learn which security features to require when purchasing a Wireless LAN and how to implement the appropriate features for specific types of vulnerabilities. $150.

Instructor: John Muir

ProQuest: For NCMS Members Only

(^top)  NCMS Members will find the following relevant articles via their ProQuest Business Information accounts:

Wire-free technology comes of age in the enterprise 

Crn; Feb 25, 2002. 
Despite security concerns and competing standards, wireless LANs are gaining traction in the corporate marketplace, solution providers say. And it seems the war between different wireless LAN standards may subside over time.

Security standards improve 

Communications News; Jan 2002
Wireless LANs and wireless WANs use different technologies and meet different needs. Their security challenges are similar, and a single security solution can be deployed over both kinds of networks. Seamless roaming between networks is favorably accomplished using virtual private network technology for mobility (wireless), which connects network components and resources through secure protocol tunnels.

(^top)

Full Length Article: 

Wireless
Insecurities

Control mobile computing vulnerabilities before they get control of you.

Information Security Magazine, 
January 2002, 
Cover Story

"It's a sight that would make any sales manager proud: your company's top sales rep is dutifully e-mailing detailed reports on the day's activities over a public wireless 802.11b network as he waits for his lunch across the street from the office. But would your sales manager be quite so happy if she knew the sensitive data transmissions sent from the rep's laptop could be grabbed by anyone else within a few hundred yards?..."

Wireless Worries
A Reader Poll from same magazine issue

Wireless Security: Meeting the Threats
An excellent Threat and Response Matrix from the same magazine issue