This month, AirTight Networks’ flagship product, SpectraGuard® Enterprise, achieved FIPS 140-2 validation from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the United States and the Communications Security Establishment of Canada (CSEC).

 These standards and guidelines are issued by NIST as Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) for use government-wide. NIST develops FIPS when there are compelling Federal government requirements such as for security and interoperability and there are no acceptable industry standards or solutions. See background information for more details.

Simultaneously, AirTight’s SpectraGuard Server passed TIC tests for inclusion on the DISA UC APL. The DISA UC APL is the single consolidate list of products that have completed interoperability (IO) and information assurance (IA) certification. Use of the DoD UC APL allows DoD Components to purchase and operate UC systems over all DoD network infrastructures.

AirTight’s products are deployed worldwide in many of the most security sensitive United States government and defense organizations to assure security and compliance with requirements such as DoD 8420.01, FISMA and guidelines from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Because AirTight products are always kept up-to-date with certifications such as FIPS 140-2, Common Criteria and DISA; government and defense agencies can take advantage of the powerful wireless security technology provided by AirTight.

Della Lowe 802.11n, Compliance, DISA UC APL, Federal Government, FIPS 140-2, Wireless security, WLAN networks 802.11n, DISA, FIPS, WIPS, Wireless Intrusion Prevention, Wireless security

The latest Gartner research on wireless IPS has just been published and AirTight has received the highest rating of  “Strong Positive”.

Follow this blog…. More information coming soon!

Mike Baglietto 802.11n, Air Magnet, PCI, smartphones, WiFi Access, Wireless security, WLAN networks

AirTight Networks will be demonstrating cloud-based PCI compliance and Wi-Fi access solutions at the NACStech conference in Las Vegas, May 16-18.

AirTight Cloud Services provides scanning for, detection of, and prevention against rogue access points (APs) and other wireless vulnerabilities to satisfy PCI compliance requirements, while laying the foundation for strategic wireless initiatives in the future.

With AirTight, convenience store operators can deploy secure Wi-Fi access, wireless PCI compliance scanning, and wireless IPS capabilities in a singe device managed from anywhere on the Internet.

AirTight’s combination wireless AP/security sensor provides an affordable, easy-to-deploy and use, scalable Wi-Fi access solutions that can meet their Wi-Fi  needs while maintaining PCI compliance and network security.  This seamless transition gives IT complete control and maximum flexibility to roll out WiFi with no additional equipment to purchase, no additional deployment costs, and without compromising security or PCI compliance.

Offered as a monthly service, costs are kept to a minimum.  Subscription fees include all equipment, support and maintenance, as well as device replacement and upgrades during the term of the contract.

For more information and a live demo of AirTight’s award winning products, please visit AirTight Networks at booth #324 at the NACStech Conference in Las Vegas, May 16-18.

Mike Baglietto 802.11n, Cloud computing, PCI, WiFi Access

If you are concerned about the proliferation of smart devices (Iphones, Droids, tablets) and the impact on  your network security, then this is a “can’t miss” webinar.   The inability to detect and block unauthorized personal devices from attaching to your network puts your business at risk.  AirTight CTO and Founder Pravin Bhawat discusses the challenges with mobile device management and the limitations of existing wireless network security measures.

Listen to the recorded webinar here.

Mike Baglietto 802.11n, Best practices, Compliance, mobile device management, smartphones, Wireless scanning, Wireless security, WLAN networks

I meant to publish something when I first saw this article in Network World.   Apparently Gartner debunks the myth that a single vendor network solution is more cost effective and easier to manage.   Pretty strong statement by Gartner and there were some pretty strong reactions if you look at the comments on the Network World site.

In a Wi-Fi world, I think Gartner’s analysis is especially true. With the availability of controller-less and cloud based Wi-Fi solutions, Cisco’s pricing and complexity is more than some are willing to accept.  Branch offices don’t need the same expensive Cisco WiFi infrastructure to support hot spot or in store WiFi applications.  And in Cisco’s case, even the first generation (or two)  of the “single vendor” approach is often a sum of parts collected in an M&A spree. Because nothing was really designed to work together in the first place, adding additional capabilities to the WLAN such as security, compliance scanning,  performance and disagnostics often requires another “box”, additional licenses, and lets not forget the maintenance. 

Sounds like Gartner touched a nerve. Maybe customers are tired of paying a premuim for something that requires even more  IT  resources to manage day-to-day?  Show me hard savings NOW.  Not some fuzzy ROI over the next couple years.

Love to hear what others think.

Mike Baglietto 802.11n, Cloud computing, WiFi Access, WLAN networks

Controller based WiFi architectures have been the standard for some time, but the advantages of the cloud appear to be a perfect fit for deploying a scalable, and more importantly, manageable WiFi infrastructure. Cloud based solutions are intended to drastically reduce the cost and complexity of delivering an enterprise solution. And WiFi should be no exception.

By now, you have discovered CFO’s like cloud computing. IT solutions that can be purchase as a cloud solution eliminate up front capital expenditures, depreciation, and product obsolescence.

Cloud solutions improve cash management because there is no need to write a big check all up front. Paying only for the capabilities you need, lowers your organizations financial risk. And the recurring (often monthly) operational costs of cloud based solutions provide easy to forecast and budget IT expenditures. Lastly, because deployment time and on-going operational overhead can be recognzed in weeks not months, results are easier to measure.

If you are considering a new WiFi deployment or are ready for a refresh, take a look at this video to see how AirTight’s Cloud Services can help.

Mike Baglietto 802.11n, Cloud computing, Compliance, PCI, WiFi Access, WLAN networks cloud

Finally the news that everybody in the WiFi world has been waiting for! Exactly six years after the 802.11n task group was formed, 802.11n got the final ratification as IEEE standard last Friday.

It has also been reported that 802.11w (protection for 802.11 management frames) was also approved as a standard in the IEEE Standards Board meeting.

If you are now looking forward to rolling out a fresh 802.11n deployment or migrating parts of your WLAN to 802.11n, you may want to look at this informative white paper 802.11n The Good The Bad The Ugly: Will You Be Ready? and watch the archived webinar 802.11n deployment checklist — what you need to know before you start by Sri Sundaralingam and Lisa Phifer.

Kaustubh Phanse 802.11n 802.11n, WiFi

Early 802.11b APs used to have 1 antenna on them, which later became 2 in the 802.11g/a era, which now have become 3 or 6 in the current 802.11n era. So why do number of antennas keep changing as WLAN technology advances to every next generation.

Read more…

Hemant Chaskar 802.11n, Wireless gadgets 802.11n, diversity, MIMO, multipath, smart antenna

Another article in the series by Joanie Wexler.

“There are several ways to scan your 802.11n air environment for nasty goings-on. At a glance, the options seem pretty straightforward. However, you need to look carefully under the hood to draw a true apples-to-apples comparison of the accuracy and cost of the various offerings.”

http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/wireless/2009/033009wireless1.html?page=1

Mike Baglietto 802.11n, Wireless security, WLAN planning 802.11n

Introduction

Wireless security audits play a crucial role in the wireless vulnerability assessment of IT infrastructure and provide guidance on how organizations can meet regulatory wireless compliance requirements. Assessment of wireless vulnerabilities is challenging because of the dynamic nature of wireless environments. Auditors have to worry about not only the wireless devices in a network environment that is being audited, but also external wireless devices in the vicinity that can impact the susceptibility of the network in question to vulnerabilities and attacks. Wireless laptops, handhelds, and smartphones carried by business travelers can also get infected with vulnerabilities on the road; even organizations that may not have officially deployed a wireless LAN need to be aware of these threats. Read more…

Della Lowe 802.11n