Wireless network (WLAN) technology is the fastest growing
segment of the communications market. According to Gartner Research,
worldwide shipments of WLAN units are forecasted to grow at an annual
rate of 42% through 2007.
The major driver fueling this growth is the strong return
on investment afforded by much lower installation costs, higher
availability, and mobile data connectivity. Another significant
advantage of WLAN technology is that there is no “killer
app” required to deploy wireless networks. WLAN components
plug into the existing infrastructure as simply as extending a phone
line with a wireless phone.
Unlike traditional network technology adoption that starts
with enterprises and moves to the SOHO and home markets as the technology
matures, WLANs are being adopted in the opposite order. While many corporations
and businesses are adopting wireless LANs, the SOHO and home users
are adopting WLANs at a much faster pace.
By removing the need to wire a network in the home, the cost
of adoption and benefit of mobility within the home and low cost
of components make wireless networking a low-cost and efficient
way to install a home network. This segment of the market is much
less aware and concerned about the security implications associated
with wireless networks.
At the same time, wireless adoption within the corporate and
medium-sized businesses has been severely inhibited by security
concerns associated with placing sensitive corporate data over the
air. While home users are less aware and less concerned about the
security implications associated with wireless networks, WLANs have
struck a nerve with security conscious IT departments.
Until recently, there has been no straightforward, cost effective
way to deploy wireless security. IT departments have been forced
to either forbid the deployment of wireless networks, overlook the
security concerns, or install costly VPN solutions to build protected
data tunnels between each wireless user, and the core network.
This paper discusses the 3 layers of wireless security and
the options available for securing the network:
Physical layer
encryption, including WEP which has proven ineffective against hackers
and intentional intruders;
802.1X standards-based security
which provides cost effective, easy to use network security; and
VPN-based security for the
most security conscious requirements.
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