Industry news

 

    Firms are using unprotected networks

    Tue 08-Apr-2008

    Less than half of American businesses are using stronger protocols to protect their wireless networks, it has been suggested.

    New research released by an industry organisation found that only 47 per cent of companies are using improved protection on their networks.

    It was also revealed that nearly a quarter of those tested operate open wireless networks with no protection in place.

    AirDefense tested 1,000 US companies, including financial services.

    It found that many of the largest retail and transportation corporations were using upgraded technologies, protecting access points with stronger encryptions.

    Richard Rushing, AirDefense's chief security officer, said the results suggest many IT leaders have yet to come to terms with the scale of risk posed by unsecured wireless networks.

    "Transportation and retail were head and shoulders above the other industries in securing wireless networks, and room for improvement in other industries was more apparent," he added.

    The Guardian reports today that Gordon Brown has backed down and offered to drop his government's plans to increase penalties for data theft.ADNFCR-1505-ID-18542457-ADNFCR