Wireless networking technology is gaining in popularity as more security solutions become available.

Wireless technology brings into focus system and network security, as physical barriers no longer apply. The ease with which an employee can deploy a rogue wireless access point (AP) for personal use also adds to the potential for serious security breaches. Organizations need to be able to quickly detect and isolate rogue devices.

This has resulted in wireless networks not being adopted in enterprises as quickly as anticipated. However, there now seems to be a growing trend for organizations to move from dipping a toe in the water to wireless-enabling more office space, including meeting rooms and public areas. This is increased as providers of wireless solutions are now addressing the challenges found in the enterprise.

For instance, Extricom, a designer and manufacturer of high-performance WLAN infrastructure solutions for the enterprise, recently unveiled TrueReuse, which can provide a three-fold increase in channel capacity. The release, expected in Q2 2006, brings together two complementary approaches: an interference-free channel blanket topology, for achieving reliable coverage and seamless mobility with simple deployment, and real-time frequency re-use inside the channel blanket, for an increase of total capacity.

In another example, Bluesocket, a provider of open wireless security and management solutions, announced that it has expanded its BlueView Management System (BVMS) to enable users to manage from one location Cisco, Proxim, Avaya, and 3COM APs, as well as managing, configuring, and updating its own Bluesocket APs. This capability allows existing investments to be exploited, whilst also simplifying administration.

In addition, Bluesocket recently enhanced its BlueSecure product family to enable the deployment of voice over WiFi, and extended the functionality of the solution with DynamicRFTM, which includes the ability for the AP to automatically adjust itself based on changing RF conditions. Additionally, BlueSecure v5.1 contains software that upgrades the BlueSecure AP to an AP/sensor combination, which can detect and block rogue APs and WLAN attacks, and extends the intrusion detection system (IDS) functionality.

Source: OpinionWire by Butler Group (www.butlergroup.com)