security tools

7 steps to highly effective mobile

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 06:59:56 -0500

It's not quite the same as 7 habits, but there are 7 steps a network manager can take to make sure the organization's wireless network segments are as effective as possible. Step one? Recognize the risks of wireless and implement your wireless network around them. Next, know the limits of the technology involved, and protect your data from loss through wireless or other means. Develop metrics for making sure that your network is operating as it's supposed to and to ensure regulatory compliance. Finally, measure your results so you'll know when you're succeeding, and stay flexible as the technology changes. These are simple principles to keep in mind, but they'll serve you well as you move forward with wireless deployments.

For more on effective mobile deployment:
- Read the complete list at eWeek

Always-on security

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 06:59:58 -0500

Laptop computers and 3G networks have joined forces to bring anywhere Internet connectivity to the enterprise world. Unfortunately, while the combination has created significant productivity enhancements for mobile professionals, it has brought significant security concerns, as well. Now, Alcatel-Lucent is delivering a product suite, OmniAccess 3500 Laptop Guardian, that has been brought to market by Sprint-Nextel, with the goal of using the same 3G network to provide always-on security and fleet management for corporate laptops. A PC Card with a self-contained computer and constant network access protects the computer and can receive patches and downloads, even when the laptop computer is turned off. When the technology can provide a bit of safety along with productivity, the market is making steps in the right direction.

For more on the new Alcatel-Lucent 24/7 security:
- Read the product news at WirelessWeek

The death of traditional security

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 06:59:57 -0400

A wireless network really is different from the traditional cabled network. It's so different that analysts from Forrester are saying that traditional security is no longer up to the job of protecting your network. What will the future bring? The analysts have two terms that they say will define networks (and security) in the future. The first is "deperimeterization", a fancy way of acknowledging that mobile users and remote hotspots have made the traditional concept of a network perimeter meaningless. Next is "desktop virtualization," which means that your users won't run their desktop apps on the mobile device--they'll simply use it as a window into an enterprise desktop hosted on servers inside the corporate network. The result should be a network that doesn't require users to be security experts to keep corporate data safe.

For more on traditional security's death:
- read the analysts' views at eWeek.com

Mobile users not security savants

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 06:59:57 -0400

Ready to be surprised? A recent InsightExpress study says that many wireless networking users don't know the first thing about wireless security, and don't follow good security practices even if they know what they are. Security experts and network managers alike recognize that endpoint security is critical, but surveys like this one indicate that they're still not educating users on the importance of staying secure.

For more on the importance of being secure:
- read the survey report at eWeek

Least surprising study: IT pros have security worries

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 06:59:56 -0400

In what must be one of the least-surprising study conclusions of the year, embedded-security firm KoolSpan reports that IT professionals are concerned with wireless security. As is often the case, the details of the study are more interesting than the big picture. In this case, the details paint a picture of IT professionals most concerned about laptop users who send confidential information in the clear across public WiFi connections. It also says that those same professionals are taking a hard look at cell-phone data networks to provide performance and security for their users. Is there growth in the market? So far, the survey reports, only 8 percent of organizations have deployed truly secure wireless networks.

For more on the concerns of IT pros:
- read the complete article at WirelessWeek

RingCube secure mobility

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 06:59:58 -0400

One of the larger challenges in mobile enterprise computing has always been giving road-warriors access to their in-house environment when away from their desks. RingCube has introduced a system to provide secure access from essentially any connection on the Internet. The foundation of the system is a USB key that holds complete environment information for the user's laptop computer. The system, called MojoDrive, provides a complete image of the user's environment wherever they go. MojoDrive will even work to give the user their familiar environment on a stranger's computer--and it erases all traces of the environment from the host computer when it's unplugged.

For more on MojoDrive:
- read the product news at InternetNews.com

Security tools that let you test VoIP systems

Sun, 06 Aug 2006 20:01:37 -0400

As described above, some big name vendors are pushing out new VoIP security services at breakneck speed to match the increasing deployment of the technology. Others are making tools IT leaders can use in-house to test VoIP security levels by launching attacks on the network, flooding VoIP phones with calls to see the impact and even reassigning devices to other users or none at all to see how security measures stand up. The only drawback at this point is that the new wave of VoIP security tools use the Session Initiation Protocol, which isn't being widely used as yet in VoIP systems. Article

How to balance mobile security with users' needs

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 20:01:38 -0400

Securing mobile devices and data pulled on and off those road-warrior tools is posing more than a few headaches for enterprises. As some organizations experienced, the security effort is initially trial-and-error, as some security strategies can actually thwart good security and others can cause havoc with current security tools in place. Find out how several companies dealt with their own particular security needs on wireless network and devices and what they've learned works well and what doesn't. The good news is that for all the various security threats aimed at the mobile computing environment, there are plenty of solutions to batten down data. The bad news is that for many organizations, good mobile security is still tricky as it's a balance between giving users what they need and protecting valuable data. Article

Auditing, risk assessment a mandate

Sun, 14 May 2006 20:01:38 -0400

If you've spent more than a few years toiling in the IT environment, you probably remember the days of 'hubs' and how excited everyone was to plug them into corporate networks. You also probably remember the horrible experience related to the security risks involved in making such a move. The same is true with today's wireless networks, which is why experts are pushing IT leaders to implement and establish strong audit processes and procedures. Risks come from several different segments of the network system and wireless LANs are much more insecure than internal network environments.

The continual quest to get users access everywhere and anywhere creates a substantial security element. Tech leaders need to assess this security threat and then formulate approaches to stop intruders and protect the information being shared. One of the easiest and most common strategies is using the hidden service set identifier, but that isn't foolproof since it also relies on the user's knowledge and responsibility. That's why auditing has become such a valuable tool. As enterprise use a variety of security tools to keep intruders out, the wireless review must become part of the annual IT risk assessment effort. It's the only way potential wireless problems can be treated, like the traditional network issues of authentication, access control, availability and encryption. Article

QUICKLINKS: A way to accelerate VoIP quality of service; Collaboration drives mobile computing spending; and much more...

Sun, 14 May 2006 20:00:50 -0400

Converged Access finds a way to accelerate VoIP quality of service. Article

A need to collaborate is driving mobile computing spending. Article

The BlackBerry is getting even more popular. Article

Better VoIP security tools are coming to market. Article

U.K. telco expands mobile services to corporate users. Article

Computerworld examines the best mobile gadgets today. Article

New group aims to build a better, more useful cell phone. Article