The Hindu Business Line : ‘Rogue wi-fi ports, wireless access cause for concern’

These rogue access points can appear in any network and even in networks which do not have local area network. By simply installing a Rs 1,000-worth access modem, one can steal corporate information.

V. Rishi Kumar

Hyderabad, March 10 With enterprises empowering mobile workforce access to information on the go, wireless access points, including Wi-fi ports, that help connect devices, have emerged as a major concern for IT managers.

These are the key areas open to security breaches which most enterprises are engaged in addressing and plugging them.

Of them, Wi-fi ports have become extremely vulnerable, according to Mr Chandra Kopparapu, Vice-President, Sales, Foundry Networks.

Speaking to Business Line, Mr Chandra said the wireless local area network is witness to accelerated growth allowing employees to connect laptop computers and personal digital assistants and mobile phones, to the Internet, to access mails and even streaming media.

With the explosion of smart phones over the next two-three years, the nature and design of these networks is changing. However, when more users access information over the wireless network, rogue access points and guest Internet access are amongst the two most vulnerable areas.

Mr Chandra said that these rogue access points can appear in any network and even in networks which do not have local area network. By simply installing a Rs 1,000-worth access modem, one can steal corporate information.

Corporate data

He also warned that with corporate data being carried on Blackberry and other smart phones, one can synchronise handset and access information without the owner suspecting theft of data.

Through new security technologies and policy driven access to information, it is possible to curb such unsuspecting attacks and theft of data and intrusions detected, he said.

BULLISH ON INDIA

Foundry Networks, the $600-million network products company, is upbeat on India and is in parleys with telcos and enterprise users with its products and services.

Operating out of Hyderabad office, one of the few companies to choose this as its India base, the company is looking at reaching out its enterprise products in the region, which currently accounts for about 8 per cent of total revenues.

In India, the company is in discussions with banks and financial services players, and telecom carriers to offer its range of network and security products.

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