Why are enterprises concerned about security on wireless local area networks?
Wireless LANs are really just an extension of the wired network, and anytime you access the network, that connection should be secure. You never want to allow a casual or malicious user to enter your network. With security you always want to eliminate any potential opening or weak point, and wireless [LANs] can be a weak point. The average maximum distance a wireless access point can transmit is 300 feet, so people outside of your buildings can access your network. It can be quite a hazard. Businesses are very wary of this. Small vendors are now offering many of the more innovative security approaches. Are they likely to face trouble when standards-based approaches are available? There is a very short window of opportunity for these companies. A lot of startups have been launched with the idea of solving that problem. Some of those companies are going to fail, others will take the opportunity to grow quickly and branch out. Will more standardized security approaches make wireless LANs
