Wireless technology offers secure communication medium
Many companies will be left behind when it comes to implementing wireless networking technology as most do not have a documented wireless strategy in place.
"That is a real problem," says Timothy Pope, operations director at First Technology Cape, who points out that while wireless is wonderful in its ability to free users from their desks, it also opens a business to a whole new world of security risks.
"The recent 802.11g standard ratification - the latest standard for what's popularly called 'WiFi' - has spurred a new sense of urgency around wireless connectivity, specifically with an increasing number of wireless enabled laptops finding their way into the market.
"This, together with wireless 'hotspots' appearing in and around the major cities, is a clear indication that the potential for additional wireless connectivity is growing rapidly."
According to Pope, the question that companies need to ask is whether today's wireless technology is secure and if it can be implemented securely.
"The answer is a definite yes. Wireless can be deployed using factory default settings - which means it is probably as secure as a rusty wire fence - through to a highly secure implementation using supplementary VPN technology. The issue for companies is to determine the level of security they need - and then to ensure their implementation of the technology meets this need," he explains.
