IT Managers Say Wireless Requires More Security Than Wired Networks; Only Half Have Added...

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NetWorld+Interop 2004 Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 2004

Survey Reveals that Despite Pervasive Enterprise Use and Security

"Paranoia," IT Managers See Only "Some Risk" Posed by Wireless

Fortress Technologies announced today that, according to a newly released survey, 85 percent of enterprise IT managers believe that wireless networks require more security than wired networks in order to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of corporate data. Ironically though, little more than half (55 percent) have added a security product to address the problem.

A survey conducted by Survey.com, and sponsored by Fortress Technologies confirms that--although wireless has infiltrated more than 75 percent of the largest financial services, healthcare and manufacturing organizations--IT managers and senior IT executives still believe that security and lack of tangible ROI inhibit the buy-in, usage and deployment of wireless local area networks for line-of-business applications.

How Large is the Risk Today?

The majority of organizations surveyed said they have critical business applications on networks that now have some wireless exposure. An overwhelming 94 percent acknowledged that these applications contain data that, if compromised, could materially impact the business or brand. Given the urgency around protecting this data, most said that the quality of mass-market security products does not meet their high-assurance privacy needs. This feeling was most pervasive in the financial services and manufacturing industries.

Contrarily, many IT managers said they see only "some risk" to the business from wireless attacks. Sixty-three percent believe that there is minimal impact to their enterprise from a wireless interruption or denial of service attack. They equate this risk with "some time or money loss," but not enough to warrant concern.

Who's Minding the Data?

Most report that they are taking steps to detect, monitor and control enterprise wireless use and the majority of organizations have adopted policies to regulate wireless and mitigate risk --most notably financial services IT managers--with 90 percent reporting that corporate policies are in place today. Government organizations reported the lowest rate of policy adoption - only 41 percent, despite strict regulation of wireless in that industry.

At the other end of the spectrum, 20 percent of respondents have banned entirely the use of wireless in the enterprise and 28 percent prohibited the use of wireless at employees' homes when connected to the company LAN. Interestingly, government IT managers with policies in place were the most likely to restrict access entirely.

"What we are finding today is enterprises divided into two groups as it relates to wireless security, both of which benefit from the feedback of their peers contained in this report," said Shawn Hughes, CEO of Fortress Technologies. "The first group is proactively planning a wireless systems strategy and is seeking buy-in across the organization. For this group, network security is a decisive factor leading many to adopt a 'no wireless policy' until addressed. The second group already considers wireless critical to their enterprise, and is urgently searching for solutions that mitigate risk and ensure privacy without sacrificing productivity gains they are already experiencing."

Methodology

The report queried several hundred enterprise IT managers and senior technology executives about wireless usage, operating practices and security concerns in their organizations. They represented financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and government organizations with between 500 and 10,000+ employees.

About AirFortress from Fortress Technologies

The AirFortress product family offers flexible, market-proven security to address the risks and vulnerabilities of wireless networks. It is a trusted and easy-to-use security solution that supports and integrates with corporate wired assets and systems to ensure the business integrity demanded by the global 1000, government, financial and health care organizations. By incorporating user information from existing corporate systems and adding secure, dynamic roaming capabilities without impacting the ease-of-use associated with wireless LANs, AirFortress provides a single security solution for all wireless LANs. AirFortress meets the government's rigorous standards for wireless network security, under the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS 140) validation program, and is one of the only companies to offer the end-to-end security consistent with the Department of Defense's new directive for wireless devices and use.

Having achieved market-leader status through deployments with the DoD, civilian agencies like the VA, and brand-name commercial accounts, AirFortress was recently honored as SC Magazine's 2004 "Readers Trust" award winner for best wireless security solution. Additional industry recognition includes Venture Reporter's "20 Venture-backed Wireless Firms Most Likely to Succeed" and Federal Computer Week's "10 Hot Companies to Watch." Privately-held Fortress Technologies is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with partners and resellers worldwide. For more information, contact us at info@airfortress.com or call 813-288-7388.