Threats to Wireless Network Security Met by AirDefense and AirWave Wireless

ATLANTA & SAN MATEO, Calif. - Responding to customers’ needs for comprehensive wireless management and security solutions, wireless LAN industry leaders AirDefense and AirWave Wireless have integrated the AirDefense Enterprise 7.2 and AirWave Management Platform (AMP) 5.0 software. The integration allows the systems to correlate information about authorized and unauthorized devices helping organizations respond more quickly and decisively whenever security policies are violated. The two companies also announced a strategic marketing alliance, including discounts for customers worldwide who license the integrated solution.

To secure their wireless networks, organizations must be able to distinguish between authorized network devices, neighbors and potential intruders. In large wireless networks, involving hundreds or thousands of users in multiple locations, synchronization and communication between network management and security solutions is required. At the same time, each system must maintain a level of independence that allows for each to make objective decisions.

“The AirWave software’s ability to automatically configure and audit most vendors’ Wi-Fi products, including both ‘intelligent’ and ‘thin’ access points, eliminates a major potential source of configuration inconsistencies and security breaches,” said Mike Potts, president and CEO of AirDefense. “And as soon as we detect a potential problem, network administrators can use AirWave’s single web-based console to immediately implement any necessary configuration changes.”

Customers employing the joint AirDefense/AirWave solution utilize AirWave’s AMP software to automatically discover and monitor all authorized wireless access points and wireless network users in real-time. Using APIs developed by the two companies, the AirWave software passes this data to the AirDefense Enterprise solution. AirDefense leverages the AirWave information to quickly identify unauthorized ‘rogue’ users or devices on the wireless LAN and take corrective action. By efficiently sharing information, customers will reduce their Wi-Fi support costs by eliminating redundant data entry and improve their wireless security by eliminating ‘false positive’ reports of unauthorized devices on the network.

“We are delighted to partner with AirDefense, whose unique technology detects and prevents the most significant potential wireless attacks,” said AirWave CEO Gary Hegna. “Because so many companies in the finance, retail, government and Fortune 500 markets have selected AirDefense, integrating our solutions means hundreds of organizations can reduce their operating costs even as they improve their wireless security.”