Survey: Concerns About Wireless Security
WIRELESS SECURITY WORRIES ON THE RISE, SAYS INFORMATION SECURITY MAGAZINE READER POLL
Norwood, Mass.–January 7, 2002–A recent survey of more than 1,200 IT and security professionals found that concerns about wireless security are paralleling the rapid build-out of wireless infrastructure in corporate settings, but the skills set for securing those networks aren’t keeping pace. The survey, published in the January 2002 issue of Information Security magazine, an independent media division of TruSecure Corp., is part of a cover story feature on wireless security. The entire analysis and results of the poll can be viewed at www.infosecuritymag.com/articles/january02/images/reader_poll.pdf. The full feature can be viewed at www.infosecuritymag.com/articles/january02/cover.shtml.
According to the survey, an overwhelming number of respondents said they are either very concerned (74 percent) or somewhat concerned (20 percent) about the security of their corporate wireless networks. Conversely, only 24 percent said they felt very knowledgeable about their wireless technology/security, while 54 percent stated they were somewhat knowledgeable about the issue.
“Insecurities in the Wireless Equivalent Privacy (WEP) protocol and handheld devices continue to plague wireless LANs for both business and home networks,” said Andy Briney, editor-in- chief of Information Security. “Wireless connectivity will continue to be a major risk until more robust protocols and better administration practices are adopted.”
Because of its flexibility, low cost and ease of deployment, wireless networking is one of the fastest growing components of corporate IT infrastructures. However, experts say the skills needed to secure wireless networks are not keeping pace with the potential threats. And while many vertical industries restrict the use of wireless connectivity, many are still at risk because employees are building “rogue” wireless networks within the corporate perimeter.
Among other statistics, the poll also found that:
– Forty-eight percent of the respondents noted that laptops have wireless access to their network, 29 percent allow PDAs and 19 percent allow handheld computers (multiple answers were allowed).
– One-fifth of those surveyed said their companies plan to spend more than $100,000 on wireless networking and security technologies/products over the next 12 months. However, the majority of the respondents (27 percent) said their companies plan to spend less than $10,000.
– Only 51 percent of financial services firms allow wireless access to corporate networks.
Information Security magazine is the leading trade publication covering the IT and computer security industry. Published monthly by TruSecure Corp., a managed security services provider that integrates technology, services and expert information into an ongoing and comprehensive information security program, the magazine is circulated to more than 55,000 subscribers in North America and Western Europe. Conducted in mid-November 2001, the magazine’s first Wireless Reader Poll was completed by 1,268 security professionals.
About Information Security
Information Security magazine is the industry’s leading trade publication, providing news, analysis, insight and commentary on today’s infosecurity marketplace. Published monthly by TruSecure Corp., the magazine includes in-depth features, “how-to” primers, timely news coverage, authoritative commentary, an unbiased product testing center and more, all authored by recognized experts in the infosecurity field. In 2001, the magazine received three awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) for outstanding design and editorial content. The publication is free to qualified readers. For more information and to subscribe, please visit http://www.infosecuritymag.com.
About TruSecure Corporation
TruSecure provides global 10,000 companies with comprehensive enterprise risk-management programs that assure the ongoing security of their critical systems and information. By integrating disparate security products and processes into a comprehensive risk-management program, TruSecure helps hundreds of companies achieve greater risk reduction at lower cost. TruSecure’s ICSA Labsr is the security industry’s central authority for product standards and testing, and today certifies more than 95% of the market’s anti-virus software, network firewalls, cryptography and IPSec products. TruSecure’s monthly magazine, Information Security, is the industry’s leading trade publication. Based in Herndon, VA, TruSecure Corporation is privately- held with investors including J. & W. Seligman & Co., J.P. Morgan Partners, Weston Presidio Capital, Greylock and WaldenVC.
For more information about TruSecure, please visit www.trusecure.com.
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