WEP Cloaking Module gives a new life to obsolete WLAN equipment

AirDefense introduced its patented WEP Cloaking module, the first and only technology for global retailers and other companies using the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) security standard to protect wireless networks. By using AirDefense’s WEP Cloaking module, retailers can preserve their current investment in legacy handheld devices and avoid the potential cost of tens of millions of dollars for hardware upgrades and training.

A recent report by industry analyst firm Gartner titled Answers to Common Questions About PCI Compliance lists “unprotected wireless connections” as a problem area for retailers. AirDefense’s patented WEP Cloaking module leverages the award-winning AirDefense Enterprise platform using wireless sensors to protect handheld devices in use at thousands of retailers world-wide from passive and active attempts to crack WEP encryption keys. These handheld devices commonly include wireless point of sale systems, barcode scanners and VoIP handsets and are in use at retail distribution centers as well as in a variety of retail establishments to include department stores, electronic stores, supermarkets and clothing stores. These devices commonly support only WEP encryption and without AirDefense’s WEP Cloaking module, can be easily broken with popular cracking tools.

“Although IEEE wireless security standard, 802.11i, was ratified in 2004, migration to 802.11i end to end hasn’t been easy, as many legacy devices only support WEP. During the migration, WEP encrypted systems are vulnerable,” said Rachna Ahlawat, research director at Gartner. “Using a layered approach to wireless security that incorporates strong authentication and encryption in the infrastructure with wireless intrusion protection to overcome the weaker security of handsets can extend the shelf life of wireless technologies while improving security.”